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The Monstrous Misses Mai
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Elyse Dinh
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
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Summary
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.
Critic reviews
“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