Lapvona

„Lapvona“ by Otessa Moshfegh
Otessa Moshfegh’s newest release is a novel called „Lapvona“, a cabinet of horror, set in a medieval village plagued with corruption. The book, vague in place and time, tells the story of a set of unlikeable villagers and their relation to each other, to religion, and morality in a grotesque and comedic way. You can definitely find typical Moshfegh-ish components in the story, yet this book is even more provocative and vulgar than her last ones. At first I was really entertained by reading those taboos but after a while one begins to wonder wether including these vulgar and sadistic parts really is necessary (also to that extend).

this dark fairytale-resembling book was the third book that I read of Otessa Moshfegh, and the author’s ideas are truly unlike anyone else’s- her stories stick with me even after putting the book down. I really enjoy her literary experimentations of themes and topics and yet i am not quite sure if i really liked that book.

there are quiet a few questions on morality that „lapvona“ touches but doesn‘t explain further, and i still have to figure out wether i need to dive deeper into the story to find more hidden layers or if the book only scratches the surface of a satire about political and religious leaders who deploit the common folks. -am i missing something?