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toyang's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Loved the idea and the writer's voice but how the story was executed was choppy. It was not difficult to follow, just felt like it never let my teeth sink into an idea for too long.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
cassie7e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A charming cozy read, perfect for a cloudy fall day. Be warned it may make you want to hole up in your home to work on your own projects while you listen (if reading by audiobook)! This book deals with agoraphobia, the effects of world war PTSD on families, and generational trauma over several timelines, with timejumps and multiple POVs (which I love, but some people seem to hate).
One of the better examples of magical realism in English literature that I've come across, that doesn't veer into fantasy or quaintness. The magic isn't overt or explicable, nor is it undercut by logic.
Two things I could do without:
- shame over the character's physical appearance
- one of the romance storylines that felt rushed and undeveloped
One of the better examples of magical realism in English literature that I've come across, that doesn't veer into fantasy or quaintness. The magic isn't overt or explicable, nor is it undercut by logic.
Two things I could do without:
- shame over the character's physical appearance
- one of the romance storylines that felt rushed and undeveloped
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: War
mishale1's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love magical realism, it’s my favorite genre yet it feels so hard to find. There aren’t a bunch of magical realism books that come out every year, you know? So I was very excited about this one and I found it to be a very enjoyable, unique story.
Myra doesn’t have many ties to the outside world. She’s very dedicated to her own private world and her best friend encouraged her to share that world and her stories online.
Myra has a minuscule mansion (do not call it a dollhouse, that infuriates Myra). This beautiful house was given to her when she was a small child by her grandfather, it belonged to his wife Trixie. Myra didn’t have much time with her step-grandmother, she entered Myra’s life at age 3 and passed away on Myra’s 5th birthday. But Trixie made an impact and she left Myra with a lot of memories.
As an adult, Myra spends all of her time caring for and redecorating the miniature mansion. She works online. She doesn’t leave her house. She barely knows how her phone works. Honestly, this aspect of the story is quite sad.
Myra’s best friend encouraged her to write stories and post pictures of the mansion online. Myra’s site is incredibly popular.
One day, something unthinkable strange happens: a man named Alex reaches out to Myra. His family’s actual house looks exactly like Myra’s mini mansion. Exactly. Even the Toni details in Myra’s mansion, little pieces of artwork or furniture, exist in full size in the real mansion.
There’s something magical going on here. Myra has always known there’s some magic to the mansion but she doesn’t know anything more than that.
There’s also a third character in the story that we meet in the past, her story is threaded throughout this story and she has ties to the mansion.
Very unique story. It was sad at times. I do think the story ended somewhat suddenly, I could definitely have gone for some extra explanations at the end. But there’s magic involved, I shouldn’t expect explained, right?
Myra doesn’t have many ties to the outside world. She’s very dedicated to her own private world and her best friend encouraged her to share that world and her stories online.
Myra has a minuscule mansion (do not call it a dollhouse, that infuriates Myra). This beautiful house was given to her when she was a small child by her grandfather, it belonged to his wife Trixie. Myra didn’t have much time with her step-grandmother, she entered Myra’s life at age 3 and passed away on Myra’s 5th birthday. But Trixie made an impact and she left Myra with a lot of memories.
As an adult, Myra spends all of her time caring for and redecorating the miniature mansion. She works online. She doesn’t leave her house. She barely knows how her phone works. Honestly, this aspect of the story is quite sad.
Myra’s best friend encouraged her to write stories and post pictures of the mansion online. Myra’s site is incredibly popular.
One day, something unthinkable strange happens: a man named Alex reaches out to Myra. His family’s actual house looks exactly like Myra’s mini mansion. Exactly. Even the Toni details in Myra’s mansion, little pieces of artwork or furniture, exist in full size in the real mansion.
There’s something magical going on here. Myra has always known there’s some magic to the mansion but she doesn’t know anything more than that.
There’s also a third character in the story that we meet in the past, her story is threaded throughout this story and she has ties to the mansion.
Very unique story. It was sad at times. I do think the story ended somewhat suddenly, I could definitely have gone for some extra explanations at the end. But there’s magic involved, I shouldn’t expect explained, right?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Cancer
irenemarie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book came into my rotation at the perfect moment. I had just finished a few books centered on heavy topics & a few horror stories. I needed something contrasting, to refresh my mood. Looking at my library loans, I scrolled down my list of options looking for something that was due soon and had people waiting to read, so I could relieve them of the wait. Enter The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone. Now, I will say I love magical realism, but I do not often read romance, so please do not take my review as an expert in the genre. I could not put this down. The book opens itself up slowly and you are immersed in a magical world, spanning multiple lifetimes. I loved it so much, I loved the foreshadowing leading the reader to fantastic rewards or sorrows. I ordered my own copy before finishing my first read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Car accident
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, and Grief
mtnest's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Abandonment, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Lord’s name taken in vain
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