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A review by frafrin
The Maid by Nita Prose
2.0
7/11/2022: I didn’t write a review for this book initially (though I did rate if 5 stars at the time) and nearly three months later I’m still thinking about it. Especially after reading The Kiss Quotient which also has a neurodivergent lead I need to revisit my rating and thoughts on this book.
I did very much enjoy the story of this book. I like that it is a who dunnit type mystery. I liked the side characters. I liked the Columbo references and the close relationships Molly had with such a variety of people.
I don’t like that it appears a non neurodivergent person wrote a character that seems to be very clearly on the spectrum as so many facets of Molly’s personality are pulled from the big stereotypes of autism. While I did enjoy the point of view of Molly’s interpretation of social interactions that were often in direct contrast with the people she was interacting with, it often felt pushed to 11 for spectacle. And that her divergence was used cruelly and almost felt fetishized at times.
In contrast, The Kiss Quotient is written by someone with personal, lived experience being neurodivergent and it is directly addressed both in the writing and in the author’s bio rather than implied or left a mystery. While that is a contemporary romance, the same type of personality traits are present but don’t feel disingenuous.
I did very much enjoy the story of this book. I like that it is a who dunnit type mystery. I liked the side characters. I liked the Columbo references and the close relationships Molly had with such a variety of people.
I don’t like that it appears a non neurodivergent person wrote a character that seems to be very clearly on the spectrum as so many facets of Molly’s personality are pulled from the big stereotypes of autism. While I did enjoy the point of view of Molly’s interpretation of social interactions that were often in direct contrast with the people she was interacting with, it often felt pushed to 11 for spectacle. And that her divergence was used cruelly and almost felt fetishized at times.
In contrast, The Kiss Quotient is written by someone with personal, lived experience being neurodivergent and it is directly addressed both in the writing and in the author’s bio rather than implied or left a mystery. While that is a contemporary romance, the same type of personality traits are present but don’t feel disingenuous.