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A review by minimicropup
Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Surreal. Secretive. Contradicting.
πΊπΈ Set in a small city near Chicago, Illinois, USA.
POV: We are immersed in the world of a 20-something college dropout working a temp office job.
Narrative: Told in a first-person narrative, it feels like the main character is having a direct conversation with the reader, blending reality with a dreamlike soliloquy.
Mood Reading Match Up:
-Blend of speculative fiction and bizarro elements
-A deep character study wrapped in everyday mundanity
-An amateur sleuth mystery with fairy-tale undertones
-Exploring themes of secret worlds and the eternal battle of good vs. evil amidst a backdrop of loneliness and connection
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πΊ Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags π
βοΈ Writing: The writing style has an ethereal, dreamlike quality. It often veers into philosophical musings, interspersed with fairy tale excerpts and geometric descriptions, adding to the book's surreal feel.
π«₯ Characters: Our main character is an intriguing study in contradictions: cringe-worthy yet endearing, with a lack of self-awareness that leads to many second-hand embarrassments. She's a complex mix of observant and delusional, introspective yet lost in a fairy-tale world of her own making. This makes for a compelling, if not always likable, character who you can't help but follow through her sometimes disastrous, sometimes poignant journey.
πΊοΈ Worldbuilding: The setting mirrors the characters in its development. It's less about tangible details and more about the vibes and energies of different places, leaving plenty of room for the reader's imagination.
π₯ Fuel: Suspense in the novel is driven by the uncertainty of what's real and what's imagined. The stakes feel high as the protagonist navigates her delusions and the real-world consequences of her actions.
πΊοΈ Worldbuilding: The setting mirrors the characters in its development. It's less about tangible details and more about the vibes and energies of different places, leaving plenty of room for the reader's imagination.
π₯ Fuel: Suspense in the novel is driven by the uncertainty of what's real and what's imagined. The stakes feel high as the protagonist navigates her delusions and the real-world consequences of her actions.
π’π Pacing: The pacing of the book is erratic, with a heartwarming, albeit slightly cheesy, ending. The final chapters are beautifully metaphorical, fitting with the character's development.
π¬ Scenes: The novelβs scenes oscillate between bizarre and relatable, creating a sympathetic yet strange narrative. The amateur sleuthing feels realistic, complete with lost evidence and misguided decisions, adding a layer of authenticity to the mystery.
π Random Thoughts: The story can feel random at times, with some events seemingly unrelated to the main plot.
π§ Audio: The audiobook version might not be for everyone, as it has a slightly mumbly quality, but it does fit the character's persona.
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Content Heads-Up: Mental illness (delusions, intrusive thoughts, rituals, compulsions, insomnia, depression, hoarding, auditory and visual hallucinations). Stalking, obsession. Suicide, suicidal considerations/thoughts. Alcohol (self medicating). Family estrangement. White collar crime. Loss of financial security. Sexual assault/harassment (off page; reported). Threats (gun). Confinement.
Rep includes: Korean and lesbian characters
Format: Kindle and Library Audio via Libby
Reviews are my musings π powered by puppy snuggles πΆ refined by my AI Bestie β¨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide and Stalking