mr05e's review
dark
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Super fun quick read ! Finished it in a few hours. Despite being morally grey, Maud (the mc) is very likable and you end up rooting for her or condoning her choices/actions. She’s a badass old lady who wants to peacefully live out the rest of her life completely unbothered. Easy to follow, casual read that’s split up into a set of short stories. Love the cover art so much !
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Murder, and Sexual content
achedester's review
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
bi_n_large's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Domestic abuse
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was not for me. I did not realize going into it what I was getting myself into and that is on me, I acknowledge that.
I thought this book was going to be taking a more A Man Called Ove approach but instead it took a total Dexter approach.
This is an 88 year old serial killer who will kill anyone who wrongs her or thinks is going to wrong her. And I know many people in other reviews have said this was “hilarious” and I’m glad that they enjoyed it but how calculating she was, how she did not have any remorse and how she did it all for selfish reasons (even the abuse situation, she killed the husband so she could go back to having a peaceful Christmas day. She did not do it for the abused wife).
I thought this would be giving Carl from UP, where yes he goes against the people trying to take his home but it is kind of loveable and endearing, his grumpy outer exterior because you discover that inside, he is actually a really nice person. Or in A Man Called Ove, same thing he is rebelling against the system that is taking advantage of his wife’s horrible accident, but he does not go and kill the people that wrong him! And as the book goes on, we see that Ove does have a heart, like Carl.
There was nothing redeemable in Maude. She killed anyone that so much stepped a toe out of line or did her wrong in any way, even stabbing one of the men at the grocery store when he couldn’t get her the ham that she wanted.
I know many people loved this and thought this book was hilarious. It is definitely me, not you. I thought this was going to be a light hearted book but it was just a book about an old woman brutally murdering anyone who wronged her, that was it.
Nope, not for me!
I thought this book was going to be taking a more A Man Called Ove approach but instead it took a total Dexter approach.
This is an 88 year old serial killer who will kill anyone who wrongs her or thinks is going to wrong her. And I know many people in other reviews have said this was “hilarious” and I’m glad that they enjoyed it but how calculating she was, how she did not have any remorse and how she did it all for selfish reasons (even the abuse situation, she killed the husband so she could go back to having a peaceful Christmas day. She did not do it for the abused wife).
I thought this would be giving Carl from UP, where yes he goes against the people trying to take his home but it is kind of loveable and endearing, his grumpy outer exterior because you discover that inside, he is actually a really nice person. Or in A Man Called Ove, same thing he is rebelling against the system that is taking advantage of his wife’s horrible accident, but he does not go and kill the people that wrong him! And as the book goes on, we see that Ove does have a heart, like Carl.
There was nothing redeemable in Maude. She killed anyone that so much stepped a toe out of line or did her wrong in any way, even stabbing one of the men at the grocery store when he couldn’t get her the ham that she wanted.
I know many people loved this and thought this book was hilarious. It is definitely me, not you. I thought this was going to be a light hearted book but it was just a book about an old woman brutally murdering anyone who wronged her, that was it.
Spoiler
She even kills her sister.Nope, not for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Medical content, and Violence
pamnc's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
binreads's review
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an okay read, it did make me laugh at some moments. The overall concept of a little old lady just murdering people whenever she feels like it on the surface is funny. Honestly though, it's quite dark. But, it's interesting how it's under 200 pages, it felt super slow to me. I may pick up the sequel.
Spoiler
I wish we would've gotten more insight on what happened to the victims after they were murdered. </spolier>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Body horror
madmenlizz's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Ableism and Dementia
bookishaddictions's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
These short stories tell of the adventures of Maud, an elderly woman from Sweden. However, Maud isn’t as nice as we typically expect little old ladies to be. We get to follow Maud as she “solves” problems at home, and we get to follow her on her trips abroad. The stories are funny, quick, and remind you why the elderly should not be underestimated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Death
rather_b_reading's review
Not for me. I disliked the main character and it was boring.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Violence