The Monstrous Misses Mai

A Novel

De: Van Hoang

Narrado por: Elyse Dinh

A determined young woman in 1950s Los Angeles walks a darker city than she ever imagined in a spellbinding novel about the power to make dreams come true—whatever the sacrifice.

Los Angeles brims with opportunity in 1959—though not for aspiring fashion designer Cordelia Mai Yin, the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, who finds the city unkind to outsiders and as dispirited as her own family. When Cordi rents a cheap loft in an old apartment building, she quickly warms to kindred souls Tessa, Audrey, and Silly. They also want better things and have pasts they’d rather forget. That they all share the same middle name makes their friendship seem like destiny.

As supportive as they are of each other, it’s a struggle just to eke out a living, let alone hope to see their wishes for success come true. Until an ever-present and uncannily charming acquaintance of the landlord’s offers a solution to their problems. He promises to fulfill their every dream. All it takes is a little magic. And a small sacrifice.

As one surprisingly effective spell leads to another, their wishes get bigger. But so does the price they must pay. Amid the damaged seams of her life so far, Cordi must realize her own power in order to rip free, without losing everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

©2024 Van Hoang (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Elyse Dinh delivers a performance that brings the glamorous world of 1950s L.A. to life. She captures Cordelia Mai Yin's grit as she tries to launch a career in fashion as a Vietnamese designer. Dinh will have listeners glued to their earbuds as Cordi attempts to navigate a city darker and more complex than she ever imagined.… Dinh's speedy delivery and distinct characterizations draw listeners into the intertwined lives of Cordi and her neighbors, Tessa, Audrey, and Silly.… This is a unique story told in a lively manner.” —AudioFile Magazine

“The story’s major strength lies in the powerful but complicated friendships between the women of the Misses Mai residence…there’s plenty here for readers to sink their teeth into.” —Publishers Weekly

“This bittersweet tale of greed, betrayal, and sacrifice has enough body horror to honor its dark roots but focuses on the love among its complicated characters for an almost-happy ending.” —Booklist

Wish I Could Have Read This When I Was Younger

I appreciate how this novels explores themes like privilege, dysfunctional family, & found family.

IMO, these characters aren’t meant to be loved, they just are who they are... many of them young & finding themselves. I thought the witchy parts were perfectly placed within the storyline, though I do wish there was a stronger ending. It’s not lacking, per se, but I wish there had been more of a glimpse into what the future holds.

This is definitely not the book I was expecting, but it was nice all the same. 3.5/5 stars. Audiobook performance was eh. I listened to it on 1.5x speed to help.

Interesting look at the possibilities magic could lead to.

The narrator did a fine job. I loved the setting. I enjoyed learning about Chinatown during the early 60’s.

Interesting premise

The story had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the last 1/4 of the book followed a very simplistic, almost childish formula. Not much of the resolution made sense and the protagonists seemed pretty shallow and one-dimensional. I suppose it was an adequate novel to listen to for something light in the background.

The Monotonous Misses Mai

"The Monstrous Misses Mai" is like a cup of tea that takes forever to steep - pleasant enough, but you might find yourself checking your watch.

Our protagonist, Cordelia, embarks on a journey that's less "edge of your seat" and more "comfy spot on the couch." She's the human equivalent of a leaf on the wind, floating through a plot that happens around her. It's character-driven, folks, not character-dragging-the-plot-kicking-and-screaming.

The author's writing is as clean as a 1950s sitcom, with a whopping three swear words for those keeping count. Clutch your pearls accordingly. Speaking of the '50s, this book takes some... creative liberties with historical accuracy. It's set in 1959, but racism and sexism seem to have taken an extended vacation. Four women of color living independently and pursuing careers? It's less "Mad Men" and more "Mildly Inconvenienced Women."

The promised witchcraft and soul-selling shenanigans do eventually make an appearance, fashionably late to their own party. If you're expecting Stephen King levels of horror, you might want to adjust your expectations to "somewhat spooky bedtime story."

In conclusion, "The Monstrous Misses Mai" is a well-written, entertaining tale that's more fairytale than fright-fest. It's perfect for those who like their historical fiction with a side of fantasy and their thrillers with the thrills on a low simmer. Just don't expect historical accuracy or heart-pounding suspense, and you'll be fine. Bring your patience, leave your history textbook at home, and enjoy the ride.