Homesick for Another World

Stories

By: Ottessa Moshfegh

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan, Richard Poe

Ottessa Moshfegh's debut novel, Eileen, was one of the literary events of 2015. Garlanded with critical acclaim, it was named a book of the year by The Washington Post and the San Francisco Chronicle, selected as a BEA Buzz pick, and nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award. But as many critics noted, Moshfegh is particularly held in awe for her short stories. Homesick for Another World is the rare case where an author's short story collection is if anything more anticipated than her novel. And for good reason. There's something eerily unsettling about Ottessa Moshfegh's stories, something almost dangerous, while also being delightful and even laugh-out-loud funny. Her characters are all unsteady on their feet in one way or another; they all yearn for connection and betterment, though each in very different ways, but they are often tripped up by their own baser impulses and existential insecurities. Homesick for Another World is a master class in the varieties of self-deception across the gamut of individuals representing the human condition. But part of the unique quality of her voice, the Moshfeghian experience, is the way the grotesque and the outrageous are infused with tenderness and compassion. Moshfegh is our Flannery O'Connor, and Homesick for Another World is her Everything That Rises Must Converge or A Good Man Is Hard to Find. The flesh is weak; the timber is crooked; people are cruel to each other, and stupid, and hurtful. But beauty comes from strange sources. And the dark energy surging through these stories is powerfully invigorating. We're in the hands of an author with a big mind, a big heart, blazing chops, and a political acuity that is needle-sharp. The needle hits the vein before we even feel the prick.

©2012 Ottessa Moshfegh (P)2017 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"What distinguishes Ottessa Moshfegh's writing is that unnamable quality that makes a new writer's voice, against all odds and the deadening surround of lyrical postures, sound unique." (Jeffrey Eugenides, in judges' citation for The Paris Review's Plimpton Prize for Fiction)

Disappointing

I have listened to five of these stories, and they just do not engage me. They repel me, but that may be the author’s intent. They are really, really well written, and the author certainly has a novel voice. I can see why they are so highly praised, but the characters in the stories are too callow and casually cruel, even. The author is apparently a point by speaking in the voice of characters who are lost, victims, or abusers. They have no agency and can only act in the form they are molded into; they have no hope. I have a strong tolerance for gritty stories about the highest and lowest of human experience, but where the humanism remains. While I admire these stories, I cannot enjoy or learn from them.

pretty swell

i personally enjoyed this book. it was recommended by a stranger and i was not disappointed. my first book from O. Moshfegh and will buy another. enjoy

Miserably Nihilistic

3.5/5 - This is not a bad book. It's just one I found deeply unenjoyable.

Aside from a couple of stories, the book is comprised of hopelessly miserable protagonists. All of the other characters in each story exist only to show how stupid people are. The combination creates a cast of characters that seem to say, humanity is doomed to fail.

I can't tell if the author, who writes excellent prose, is being mean spirited or is deeply depressed and mad at the world.

Other reviews remark on how uncomfortable and sexual the content can be. If you are easily offended or upset, this is true. I didn't find it to be overwhelming or done simply to shock readers, but it depends on your individual sensibilities. If you've read Clive Barker or Jack Ketchum these stories won't phase you.

Performances were mostly good, but the male reader felt presentational at times. The female reader was excellent.

this book is nuts

I normally don't listen or read fictions books bet everytime I strolled into my friendly neighborhood Barnes and Noble or Books a Million I saw this on the shelves. It caught my eye and a few days later I saw a tik tok about it and I honestly don't think that girl read the book at all but I enjoyed it.

the first 3 chapters were absolutely Nuts. it drew me in entirely from the grotesque characters, good writing, the actors being easy to listen too, it made my runs and drives kinda entertaining. There was points I'd hear something off the wall like how warm some girls throat was and I would slow down and be like "wtf?" there's some stories that are kinda boring or not as exciting as the opening chapters but they always have their little tweaks in there like the one about the guy never truly loving his now dead wife or the one about being in a cabin and hooking up with his brothers acquaintance despite his current marriage. The book was okay and it definitely made me feel more at home or normal. credits to the author for thinking of such stories.

She’s great. Nuff said

Maybe the most exciting new fiction author today. After reading her novels you will definitely land here. Start with Eileen, or My Year… And you’ll see.

Disgustingly wonderful

The characters are so vile at some points as they’re all people incapable even wanting to change or live better lives that the entire book is hard to stomach and hard to put down all at once.

Stunning Collection

A must-read for any Los Angelino. Dark, reverent of language and entirely original. Well performed.

Brilliant writer

Moshfegh is an amazingly talented writer and these stories were quite enjoyable. I appreciate the cynicism and resignation.

Funny, Dynamic Writing

The actor’s voices really irritated me and prohibited me from fully enjoying the text. I wish Ottessa was the reader, or another writer with a more interesting and relatable voice than these people who sound like Mad Men era radio announcers.

Interesting perspectives

Not all stories are written the same, some shine and some are dim and can show how each story have the same narrative, how people can be hateful and judgmental while still learning how to live their lives day by day and suffer in silence. We are our own people who hate each other the most and show It to the world how much we do. I feel like this book really illustrates the human minds most rawest form and how we think feel and judge about others and ourselves, and not all is pretty it can be very depressing and lonely