An Underdog's Rise in Eileen


In a 1960’s Boston suburb she calls “X-ville,” 24-year old Eileen lives with her occasionally handsy, verbally abusive alcoholic father. She doesn’t know much about social norms, having gone through an arrested development from her upbringing. She also has a disdain for most of life, explaining what she hates about the world around her.

When a new teacher shows up at Moorehead, the prison for delinquent boys where Eileen works, her lack of polish is put to the test. The new teacher Rebecca befriends Eileen, despite the fact they have little in common. Suddenly Eileen experiences feelings she never had before. Eileen’s untapped ability to be a good friend surfaces, and it’s like a revelation for the reader.
Ottessa Moshfegh's Eileen has a twist ending, one that Moshfegh only subtly hints at earlier in the book. The twist, while gasp-worthy, doesn’t distract from the novel’s focus on Eileen’s coming of age. Eileen is dark, moody, naïve, and one to root for from beginning to end.
Thanks to Ellie Garcia for recommending Eileen.

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