A review by haileybones
Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I didn't like much of anything about this book. The premise has promise and the prose is fine, but it ends up being a slow, somewhat nonsensical trod with an insufferable main character. She is very "upper class white lady" and it is not sympathetic. A lot of plot threads are left loose or resolved by telling, not showing -- you're told about the climax, but don't experience it. You only get a taste of the characters you're excited to see reimagined and never go to Neverland itself. (A lot of these issues could have been solved by having multiple POV characters.) And the whole thing read as ableist to me. Would a disability really make Jack's life not worth living? His ultra wealthy CEO/brilliant research scientist mother couldn't make any accommodations to improve his quality of life? To the extent that she'll nuke their lives over and over with childish lies that benefit no one? And then not face any lasting consequences for it? And that's only the tip of the icber-- /rant
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