“What It's Like in Words” by Eliza Moss – A Review
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
Year Published: 2024
Genre: Literary Fiction
Page Count: 320
Quick Summary
What It's Like in Words follows Enola, a writer approaching 30 who’s stuck—stuck in her draft, stuck in her relationships, stuck in her own head. When she meets a fellow writer, their connection is instant and electric, but what starts as passion quickly spirals into something much darker. Eliza Moss takes us on an intimate, raw journey through love, loss, and the slow erosion of self in the wrong relationship.
What I Loved
The Writing is Stunning – Moss's prose is lyrical, almost poetic, making the emotions in this book hit even harder. The way she captures the push-and-pull of a toxic relationship is painfully real.
A Deeply Realistic Depiction of Emotional Abuse – The relationship at the center of this story is messy, infuriating, and addicting in the same way it is for Enola. It forces the reader to sit in that cycle with her, which is uncomfortable but incredibly well done.
An Honest Look at Self-Worth & Healing – The book doesn’t just explore falling into an unhealthy relationship—it also highlights the long, messy road of getting out and reclaiming yourself.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
No Quotation Marks for Dialogue – This is a personal preference, but the lack of quotation marks sometimes made it tricky to figure out who was speaking. I get why it was done—it adds to the blurred lines of memory and emotion—but it took a bit to get used to.
Some Pacing Issues – There were moments where the book dragged a little, but the emotional depth and writing made up for it.
The Ending Felt a Little Too Neat – After spending so much time in the mess of this relationship, the resolution felt a little too tied up with a bow. It was still satisfying, but maybe not entirely realistic.
Who Should Read This?
If you love deeply introspective literary fiction with themes of love, self-discovery, and emotional resilience, this one is worth picking up. Just a heads-up—it’s heavy at times, so if toxic relationships or emotional abuse are triggering, tread carefully.
Final Thoughts
What It's Like in Words is the kind of book that lingers. It’s frustrating, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the gray area of a relationship that isn’t bad but also isn’t right, this book will probably hit home. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something emotional and thought-provoking!
