Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by kenbooky
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
2.0
Prose weaves a complex tale of secrets, obsessions, and personal struggles, but one of the most glaring issues is the depiction of the Lambs or JD Grimthorp's fan club. Prose portrays them as a group of frumpy, obsessed women, fixated not just on JD's writing but also on the idea of becoming his romantic partners. These women are written with such a lack of sensitivity it feels like prose wants you to stare at them through the pages of the book like some carnival sideshow. This portrayal feels shallow and reductive, undermining the potential for a more nuanced exploration of fandom and obsession.
Another problematic aspect is the portrayal of Molly's schoolteacher. The teacher's insensitivity to Molly's potential behavioral issues is troubling, particularly as it manifests in allowing the children to bully her. This depiction feels out of touch and lacks the empathy and understanding needed to address such a sensitive subject matter effectively. (Also as a teacher I hated)
The interactions between Molly and Angela are another weak point. Their conversations often feel like a poorly executed game of improv, where one participant is unaware of the need to yes… and … the other. This dynamic creates a disjointed and frustrating reading experience and I really wanted to like Angela!
Gram’s reaction to being sexually assaulted by her employer,Mr. Grimthorp is handled sub par. The abrupt shift to a seemingly cheerful morning scene, complete with gram commenting on the chirping birds, trivializes the gravity of the assault and its impact on the victim it also feels like Prose is praising the old woman’s ability to get back up again?!? This jarring transition fails to acknowledge the emotional and psychological aftermath of such a traumatic event.
Cheryl, revealed as the antagonist, (one of many perhaps) comes as no surprise. While her grievances about inadequate pay are valid and relatable, the narrative paints her secondary income pursuits as vile, as if a maid seeking extra income is disloyal to the regency hotel in some way? This portrayal misses an opportunity to address systemic issues within the context of the story. Like Molly can have money problems but Cheryl can’t?
The most troubling aspect of the book is the misinterpretation of the Serenity Prayer. Molly's grandmother cross stitches the words into a throw pillow as a final keepsake. Prose wants the reader to take this as encouragement addressing Molly's autism?! However, the prayer is traditionally associated with addiction recovery, as Molly’s mother was a drug addict and her grandmother's boss was also an addict. The religious turn at the end of the book feels misplaced and heavy-handed, detracting from the story’s overall message.
Despite these criticisms, Prose does manage to create moments of intrigue and suspense. However, the execution of key elements leaves much to be desired, making The Mystery Guest a disappointing read.
Another problematic aspect is the portrayal of Molly's schoolteacher. The teacher's insensitivity to Molly's potential behavioral issues is troubling, particularly as it manifests in allowing the children to bully her. This depiction feels out of touch and lacks the empathy and understanding needed to address such a sensitive subject matter effectively. (Also as a teacher I hated)
The interactions between Molly and Angela are another weak point. Their conversations often feel like a poorly executed game of improv, where one participant is unaware of the need to yes… and … the other. This dynamic creates a disjointed and frustrating reading experience and I really wanted to like Angela!
Gram’s reaction to being sexually assaulted by her employer,Mr. Grimthorp is handled sub par. The abrupt shift to a seemingly cheerful morning scene, complete with gram commenting on the chirping birds, trivializes the gravity of the assault and its impact on the victim it also feels like Prose is praising the old woman’s ability to get back up again?!? This jarring transition fails to acknowledge the emotional and psychological aftermath of such a traumatic event.
Cheryl, revealed as the antagonist, (one of many perhaps) comes as no surprise. While her grievances about inadequate pay are valid and relatable, the narrative paints her secondary income pursuits as vile, as if a maid seeking extra income is disloyal to the regency hotel in some way? This portrayal misses an opportunity to address systemic issues within the context of the story. Like Molly can have money problems but Cheryl can’t?
The most troubling aspect of the book is the misinterpretation of the Serenity Prayer. Molly's grandmother cross stitches the words into a throw pillow as a final keepsake. Prose wants the reader to take this as encouragement addressing Molly's autism?! However, the prayer is traditionally associated with addiction recovery, as Molly’s mother was a drug addict and her grandmother's boss was also an addict. The religious turn at the end of the book feels misplaced and heavy-handed, detracting from the story’s overall message.
Despite these criticisms, Prose does manage to create moments of intrigue and suspense. However, the execution of key elements leaves much to be desired, making The Mystery Guest a disappointing read.