Book: Eileen

"Eileen" by Ottessa Moshfegh is a gripping exploration of alienation and obscurity set in the stark winter of 1964 in a bleak New England town. The novel tells the story of Eileen Dunlop, a disenchanted 24-year-old woman trapped in a life marked by monotony and dysfunction. Eileen works as a secretary at a boys' juvenile correctional facility, enduring the insults of her alcoholic father and indulging in dark fantasies as a way to escape her grim reality. Her days are punctuated by small, unsettling disturbances and awkward interactions.

The narrative takes a turn when Rebecca Saint John, a magnetic and enigmatic teacher, joins the prison's staff. Rebecca's arrival ignites a spark in Eileen, leading her into an unexpected and treacherous friendship. As Eileen becomes entangled in Rebecca's mysterious world, the story spirals into a chilling portrait of transformation and moral ambiguity. Moshfegh's sharp, evocative prose captures Eileen's internal struggles and creates a tense atmosphere that keeps readers engaged. "Eileen" ultimately examines themes of identity and self-liberation, exploring the dark corners of human desire and the lengths one might go to break free from a life of misery.