Questions About My Year of Rest and Relaxation

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Judy Lindow In the definition of "allegory" - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one - s…moreIn the definition of "allegory" - a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one - something being "hidden" is significant. The main character attempts to find a new reality by consuming too much, mindlessly (drugs, products, media, sex, etc). Nothing hidden about this in the story. I think however, in this part of the story she's trying to cover, hide, ignore, or run away from what she's afraid of - she appears to be running from something - and we get glimpses of: abusive relationships, grief, and more - but I think what we're seeing is her running from what's hidden and it's the unknown. Wanting not to face anymore of her life if it continues to bring her suffering. And so even the numbing is a strategy to ignore the 'unknown'. I think all these addictive, numbing strategies are just that -- when I lost both parents and became an orphan I started doing crossword puzzles, consuming more, eating more, and reading fiction full time. Haha. So although it's commentary on all the tools we have at our disposal when when we run from feelings and fear of the unknown - I don't know it's some huge political message.(less)

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Who is the portrait on the cover by?

Margriet It's Portrait of a Young Woman in White by Circle of Jacques-Louis David ! It's on view in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.…moreIt's Portrait of a Young Woman in White by Circle of Jacques-Louis David ! It's on view in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.(less)

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Spoiler! Was anyone else annoyed that she was an addict and suddenly just woke up and no longer needed pills? How do you pump that much medicine into your body and poof you don't need it anymore? Or the fact that she didn't get hurt? Depression does not work like that. Those feelings just don't go away. Yes, she was not fully functioning as a human, but "just sleeping" doesn't cure what is really going on.

Kdz Yeah, that stuck out to me too. I found the ending disappointing, like there should have been a bigger narrative payoff.

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Did anyone else notice the discrepancies with the protagonist's age? She says at the beginning of the novel that she was 24 in 2000 and turned 25 in August of that year. Yet, at other points in the novel she talks about having been out of college for around 5 years and she also mentions her birth is is 1973. Was there a reason for this?

Erica M. I'm answering this over two years late but I believe I have an answer and can hopefully clarify things for anyone who comes across this in the future …moreI'm answering this over two years late but I believe I have an answer and can hopefully clarify things for anyone who comes across this in the future with similar confusion: it's an actual error and not purposefully done. I'm reading the book now, and noticed that in some reviews people mentioned that the narrator's age is 24, when my copy of the book mentions that she is 26, and later turning 27. Her birthday is still August 1973, so it all makes sense in my copy. It seems that in newer printings of the books, the age has been corrected! So her "real" age is 26 going on 27, the 24 going on 25 in previous editions must have been an oversight. (less)

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I am halfway through this book and honestly, HATE the main character. I'm having a hard time stomaching her disregard for everything. If I feel this way, is it worth completing? I always complete books, but the feelings I have from this book is giving me a reason to abandon it.

Todd Williams by now you've likely finished this book and yep; I have trouble with books in which the protagonist is so unlikeable. however, the story telling is co…moreby now you've likely finished this book and yep; I have trouble with books in which the protagonist is so unlikeable. however, the story telling is compelling and kept my coming back for more punishment!
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