Homesick for Another World

Meer over het boek

Dark, confident, and prickling stories define Moshfegh's work, where she wields ugliness like an intellectual and moral Swiss Army knife. Her narratives, reminiscent of myth, echo the styles of Angela Carter, Flannery O'Connor, and Harry Crews, showcasing a fascination with freaks and quasi-freaks. Moshfegh's command is wickedly engaging, with sentences that electrify. Humor permeates her collection, often unsettling, akin to watching someone grin with a mouthful of blood. Critics praise her as a deeply talented artist, establishing her as a vital voice in literature, exploring themes of isolation both socially and physically, akin to Mary Gaitskill and Eileen Myles. On subsequent readings, her stories reveal layers of language and tight narratives that resonate like songs. Moshfegh's debut collection is stunning, showcasing her preternatural ability in short fiction with impeccably shaped stories that surprise with their ferocity and casual violence. Amid the dark tone, a dark humor emerges, appealing to those who find absurdity in bleak situations. In a time of unpredictable class dynamics, Moshfegh's imaginative writing captures train-wreck characters from all walks of life, reflecting a divided America. The collection's best stories juxtapose squalor and beauty, chaos and order. Her characters, though unlovely, are irresistibly compelling, marked by piercing wit and unexpected poignancy, making for an entertaining and th