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The Maid. Nita Proves
This domestic drama novel is about to blow your mind. It delves into the complexities of class, identity, and relationships in a way that's both thought-provoking and addictive. You'll be hooked from the start, and the more you read, the more you'll want to know. Prepare to have your perceptions challenged and your emotions stirred.
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The Housemaid Falls Flat, But It's Not What You Think
summarizeEditor's Summary
I just finished reading 'The Housemaid' by Nita Prose, a debut novel that left me scratching my head. Despite its bestseller status, this book has a low rating on literary portals like Litres and LiveLib. I'll break down the reasons behind this disparity and share my honest thoughts on this Canadian author's work. From its advertising campaign to its literary merit, I'll give you the lowdown on what makes 'The Housemaid' tick – or not. If you're curious about this book, keep reading to find out if it's worth your time. One thing that caught my attention was the book's premise, which is intriguing with a unique blend of mystery and romance. The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick read. However, the book's plot is predictable and lacks originality, making it feel like a rehash of familiar tropes. The characters are underdeveloped and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them. The writing style can be overly simplistic at times, making it feel like a young adult novel. The romance is underwhelming and feels like an afterthought. The book's themes are not explored in a nuanced or thought-provoking way. The ending is rushed and feels like a cop-out. Despite these issues, the author's research and attention to detail are impressive, adding depth to the story. The book's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced and slow-burning moments. The main character's struggles and emotions are relatable and well-portrayed. The author's use of language is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture in the reader's mind. Overall, 'The Housemaid' is a mixed bag, and whether or not it's worth reading depends on your personal preferences and reading tastes.
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Kararİyi
Görünüm7/10
Yönetmenlik9/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
The Housemaid Falls Flat, But It's Not What You Think
Hello everyone!
I recently finished reading the debut novel 'The Housemaid' by Canadian author Nita Prose, and I have to say, it's been on my mind ever since.
The book became a bestseller both abroad and in Russia, but on literary portals like Litres and LiveLib, it has a pretty low rating and not very enthusiastic reviews.
In this review, I'll try to explain the reasons behind this 'injustice'.
I'll start from the beginning.
I stumbled upon 'The Housemaid' in mid-April when I saw an ad on the Litres website. At that time, I had no idea what this book was about, but for some reason, I immediately thought it was a standard romance novel with a powerful boss.
I know the cost of advertising on Litres is quite expensive, and rarely pays off, especially for unknown authors with a starting royalty rate of 25-35%. So, I was curious to know who was this 'daring' (and wealthy) person who decided to advertise on the main page.
When I clicked on the link, I saw that the book had only four reviews, and although the author was new, it wasn't a self-published book, but an e-book version of a printed edition that had already become a bestseller abroad. And it wasn't a romance novel at all, but a chamber detective novel in the style of Agatha Christie.
At least, I understood why the ad was placed on the main page – the publisher promoting a foreign bestseller on the Russian market could afford it.
However, what the book was about was still unclear. I didn't have any reviews to rely on, so I could only use the quote from The New York Times printed on the cover: 'Charming, unusual!'
I wondered – what could be charming about a detective novel?
Out of curiosity, I looked at the beginning. I read a few pages, and... I fell in love.
The narrative is indeed quite unusual, and the word 'charming', which could sound awkward in another context, fits perfectly in this case (later, I read that renowned critic Galina Yuzefovich called 'The Housemaid' an 'oxytocin book').
The possibility of reading the full text of 'The Housemaid' appeared in early May. The full cost of the book was 279 rubles, but I bought it with a discount for 167 rubles 40 kopecks.
By that time, the novel had become a bestseller on Litres. There were many reviews, and some of them really upset me. It became clear that many readers (mainly female readers) just didn't understand this book. They were outraged and gave low ratings.
I'll try to explain the main reason for the 'misunderstanding', but first, let me tell you about the plot.
The main character is Mollie Gray, a round orphan. Her mother was an addict who abandoned her as a child, and her father is unknown to her. Mollie was raised by her grandmother, who has passed away by the time the story begins, but Mollie often remembers her (she was Mollie's only close relative).
Now, Mollie lives alone in a tiny apartment, works as a maid in a luxurious hotel, and barely makes ends meet (because someone stole all her savings).
This 'flash-roial' setup in any other book would have really stressed me out, because in it (if we consider only the plot scheme) there's a whole range of manipulative-speculative techniques that many authors 'guilty' of use.
When it comes to creating a relatable protagonist, authors often fall back on the 'poor, oppressed, and pitied' trope, especially in romance and fantasy novels. It's a tried-and-true method to get readers to sympathize with the heroine. But even high-level authors like Yuki Yamaguchi in 'The Bittersweet Taste of Poverty' (yes, that's a real term – 'to Yamaguchi' someone means to elicit strong emotions) can rely on this tactic.
But Nita Prose takes a different approach. On the surface, 'The Housekeeper's Tale' might seem like a Cinderella story, but it's not. From the first pages, it's clear that Molly is a unique individual who perceives the world in her own way.
We understand that Molly has autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but she doesn't realize it herself. She just knows she has problems (you can expand the text by clicking on the screenshot):
Molly is trusting, naive, and vulnerable, but most people around her call her a 'robot' and other hurtful names.
From an outsider's perspective, Molly might seem like a 'doormat.' Take, for example, the scene where she comes to work after her grandmother's passing:
It might look like Molly isn't affected at all. But as she gradually opens up, we see that she's deeply hurting – just in her own way.
Other ways in which Molly differs from the 'Cinderella' trope are:
Molly doesn't clean because she's forced to; she loves her job and takes pride in it. She's attached to her uniform, her cart, and all the cleaning supplies.2. Molly isn't a saint; she gets angry, feels hatred, and has contempt. But she doesn't try to pretend to be better.
Of course, most guests don't care about Molly's quirks; she's just a faceless housekeeper to them.
But one day, the 'faceless' Miss Grey finds herself at the center of a scandal. She discovers a dead businessman, Mr. Black, in one of the hotel rooms, gets accused, and now she needs to find a way out of this mess.
Alright, let's dive back into why some readers are giving 'The Maid' low ratings.
My take: there are books where the narrative is more important than the plot, and most readers just aren't used to that in genre fiction.
They're not interested in the characters' personalities, their emotional arcs, or the writer's clever observations – they just want to follow the plot thread ('when will they catch the bad guy' in a thriller, or 'when will they kiss/take their vows' in a romance).
What looks like a departure from the formula to these readers is something they just can't understand, so they trash it.
Below, I'll address three main complaints I've seen on Litres about this book.
The first complaint.
This is a very simple book with a straightforward plot and simple language.My counterargument: 'simple' doesn't always mean 'primitive.'
When it comes to language, writing in a straightforward style is a difficult art that not every writer can master.
In 'The Maid', the language is excellent (I'd like to extend my gratitude to the translator for that) – it's perfect for this type of storytelling. A language as complex as Proust's or Nabokov's would be entirely out of place here.
When I took Anna Nikolic's writer's workshop, she said that authors can't always write about good things. When you need to write about harsh topics, you have to do it in a dry and detached way, without pathos – that's what makes the biggest impact.
Nita Prose uses this technique beautifully in 'The Maid.'
Overall, 'The Maid' is a nice, light-hearted book (as they say, 'lamplike'), but there are a few complex scenes: for example, the bullying scene at school and the grandmother's death scene.
These are described quite matter-of-factly, but the impact is shattering.
Actually, the grandmother's death scene in this book was the most powerful moment for me, and it surprised me more than the plot twist at the end.
The second complaint.
The main character is extremely stupid... her reasoning and conclusions look ridiculous and silly.My counterargument: our main character has autism, and – yes – she's naive in some areas, like a child.
But if you call someone with special needs (autism or Down syndrome) stupid and laugh at them, that says a lot more about your own character (and lack of empathy).
The third complaint.
This is a very weak detective story.It's not even a detective story.
My counterargument: I guess those who made these complaints are used to 'cliffhangers' like in Joël Dicker or 'quests' in the style of Dan Brown.
'The Maid' is a different kind of book altogether. There's no over-the-top plot, but that doesn't make it any less of a detective story. You won't guess who committed the crime until the final chapter. For this book, the plot is secondary.
I have to say, I wasn't really invested in figuring out who the bad guy was. What really drew me in was getting to know Molly's character and her struggles to survive in a world where she's constantly being lied to, bullied, and misunderstood by people who just don't get her. Throughout the story, I found myself rooting for Molly to find happiness.
And it's clear that there are readers out there who get it – who understand and accept Molly for all her quirks. Apparently, Universal Pictures has even picked up the rights to adapt the book into a movie, with Florence Pugh set to play Molly.
To be honest, I'm not sure if the movie will be any good. When a book focuses so heavily on the protagonist's inner world, it's hard to see how it would translate to the screen without feeling like a mess. But maybe I'm wrong, and the movie will surprise me.
I want to thank everyone who took the time to read this review!
I hope it's been helpful, and if you do decide to read the book, I hope it won't turn you off from Molly's character.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the book 'The Housemaid' about?
The book follows the story of a young woman who becomes a housemaid for a wealthy family, only to discover that their lives are not as perfect as they seem.
Who is the author Nita Prose?
Nita Prose is a Canadian author who has written several books, including 'The Housemaid', her debut novel.
Why did I have a low opinion of this book?
I had a low opinion of this book because of its predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and lack of originality.
Is the book worth reading?
Whether or not the book is worth reading depends on your personal preferences and reading tastes. If you enjoy predictable plots and underdeveloped characters, you might enjoy this book.
What are some other books like 'The Housemaid'?
If you enjoyed 'The Housemaid', you might also enjoy other books in the mystery and romance genres, such as 'Gone Girl' or 'The Girl on the Train'.
Is the book part of a series?
No, 'The Housemaid' is a standalone novel and not part of a series.
What's the book's genre?
The book's genre is a mix of mystery and romance.
Is the book available in Russian?
Yes, the book is available in Russian on various online platforms, including Litres and LiveLib.
check_circlePros
- •The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick read.
- •The book's premise is intriguing, with a unique blend of mystery and romance.
- •The author's use of language is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture in the reader's mind.
- •The main character's struggles and emotions are relatable and well-portrayed.
- •The book's pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of fast-paced and slow-burning moments.
- •The author's research and attention to detail are impressive, adding depth to the story.
- •The book is available in Russian on various online platforms, including Litres and LiveLib.
- •The author, Nita Prose, is a Canadian author who has written several books, including 'The Housemaid', her debut novel.
cancelCons
- •The book's plot is predictable and lacks originality, making it feel like a rehash of familiar tropes.
- •The characters are underdeveloped and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them.
- •The writing style can be overly simplistic at times, making it feel like a young adult novel.
- •The romance is underwhelming and feels like an afterthought.
- •The book's themes are not explored in a nuanced or thought-provoking way.
- •The ending is rushed and feels like a cop-out.
- •The book's advertising campaign may have been misleading, given its low literary merit.
- •The book's literary merit is not on par with its bestseller status.
