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The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone
A woman learns to expand the boundaries of her small world and let love inside it in this sparkling and unforgettable novel by Audrey Burges.
From her attic in the Arizona mountains, thirty-four-year-old Myra Malone blogs about a dollhouse mansion that captivates thousands of readers worldwide. Myra’s stories have created legions of fans who breathlessly await every blog post, trade photographs of Mansion-modeled rooms, and swap theories about the enigmatic and reclusive author. Myra herself is tethered to the Mansion by mysteries she can’t understand—rooms that appear and disappear overnight, music that plays in its corridors.
Across the country, Alex Rakes, the scion of a custom furniture business, encounters two Mansion fans trying to recreate a room. The pair show him the Minuscule Mansion, and Alex is shocked to recognize a reflection of his own life mirrored back to him in minute scale. The room is his own bedroom, and the Mansion is his family’s home, handed down from the grandmother who disappeared mysteriously when Alex was a child. Searching for answers, Alex begins corresponding with Myra. Together, the two unwind the lonely paths of their twin worlds—big and small—and trace the stories that entwine them, setting the stage for a meeting rooted in loss, but defined by love.
From her attic in the Arizona mountains, thirty-four-year-old Myra Malone blogs about a dollhouse mansion that captivates thousands of readers worldwide. Myra’s stories have created legions of fans who breathlessly await every blog post, trade photographs of Mansion-modeled rooms, and swap theories about the enigmatic and reclusive author. Myra herself is tethered to the Mansion by mysteries she can’t understand—rooms that appear and disappear overnight, music that plays in its corridors.
Across the country, Alex Rakes, the scion of a custom furniture business, encounters two Mansion fans trying to recreate a room. The pair show him the Minuscule Mansion, and Alex is shocked to recognize a reflection of his own life mirrored back to him in minute scale. The room is his own bedroom, and the Mansion is his family’s home, handed down from the grandmother who disappeared mysteriously when Alex was a child. Searching for answers, Alex begins corresponding with Myra. Together, the two unwind the lonely paths of their twin worlds—big and small—and trace the stories that entwine them, setting the stage for a meeting rooted in loss, but defined by love.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2023
248 people are currently reading
17838 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Burges
3 books196 followersAudrey Burges writes novels, humor, satire, and essays in Richmond, Virginia. Her stories have been published in McSweeney's, Pithead Chapel, Cease, Cows, HAD, Into the Void, and elsewhere.
Audrey was raised in Arizona by her linguist parents, which is a lot like being raised by wolves, but with better grammar. She moved to Virginia as an adult but still carries mountains and canyons in her heart, and sometimes, when she closes her eyes, she can still smell ponderosa pines in the sun.
Audrey was raised in Arizona by her linguist parents, which is a lot like being raised by wolves, but with better grammar. She moved to Virginia as an adult but still carries mountains and canyons in her heart, and sometimes, when she closes her eyes, she can still smell ponderosa pines in the sun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 824 reviews
April 4, 2023
this is a relatively small book about very small things and it is trying to fit way too much.
there is so much goddamn furniture in this proverbial dollhouse, if you will. a romance. 3+ different timelines. a fantasy. a family history. multiple perspectives.
i picked this up because i like cute small things and i was a dollhouse kid. but i spent most of this book confused.
and not in a fun mysterious way.
bottom line: can i just...read about a dollhouse? is that a thing?
(thanks to netgalley for the e-arc)
there is so much goddamn furniture in this proverbial dollhouse, if you will. a romance. 3+ different timelines. a fantasy. a family history. multiple perspectives.
i picked this up because i like cute small things and i was a dollhouse kid. but i spent most of this book confused.
and not in a fun mysterious way.
bottom line: can i just...read about a dollhouse? is that a thing?
(thanks to netgalley for the e-arc)
March 17, 2023
Plot : 3.75 ⭐
Audio Narration: 4.5⭐
“Once upon a time, there was a house.”
Thirty-four-year-old Myra Malone has rarely ventured out of her home in Arizona ever since a tragic car accident resulted in the loss of her beloved step-grandmother Trixie and left her permanently scarred when she was just five years old. The only bright spot in Myra’s reclusive life is her devotion to The Mansion, an antique dollhouse ( with no dolls) she inherited from Trixie. Myra spends most of her time in her attic tending to her “minuscule mansion”, decorating ad redecorating the rooms, and fashioning new furniture and other bit san pieces as she feels. But The Mansion seems to have a mind of its home and often rejects her upgrades –phenomena for which Myra has no explanation and a fact that she keeps to herself. She documents her work on her Mansion along with pictures of the rooms in her blog, “The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone”, which she started on the persuasion of her best and only friend, Gwen. Her blog has garnered a tremendous following with fans writing to her and sending her potential additions to the rooms. When Rutherford Alexander Rakes III, “Alex”, heir to his affluent family’s furniture business, comes across her blog he is taken aback when he sees that the rooms of the mansion and some of the décor are similar to the house he now lives in – an old house that belonged to his paternal grandmother Willa’s side of the family complete with a legacy about which Alex has more questions than answers. Alex reaches out to Myra and as they begin to correspond, the mystery behind Myra’s Mansion and Alex’s family legacy is slowly unraveled and in the process exacting a positive change in both of their lives.
With its absorbing plot and elements of intrigue and magical realism, The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges is an enchanting story that touches upon themes of loneliness, friendship, love and family among others. The author touches upon sensitive topics such as grief, isolation, anxiety and PTSD with much compassion. While there are episodes of deep pain and sorrow in this story, we also have heartwarming moments of friendship, love and personal growth peppered with splashes of humor interspersed throughout the novel, the author does a remarkable job of weaving the multiple timelines and perspectives into an immersive narrative. Myra is an endearing protagonist, though I did find her a tad immature at times, and I found Willa to be an intriguing character. Though this is a relatively slow-paced novel, at no point did I lose interest. The connection between Alex and Myra is not completely unpredictable but I did like how the story developed. I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Christine Lakin, which made this story come to life.
Audio Narration: 4.5⭐
“Once upon a time, there was a house.”
Thirty-four-year-old Myra Malone has rarely ventured out of her home in Arizona ever since a tragic car accident resulted in the loss of her beloved step-grandmother Trixie and left her permanently scarred when she was just five years old. The only bright spot in Myra’s reclusive life is her devotion to The Mansion, an antique dollhouse ( with no dolls) she inherited from Trixie. Myra spends most of her time in her attic tending to her “minuscule mansion”, decorating ad redecorating the rooms, and fashioning new furniture and other bit san pieces as she feels. But The Mansion seems to have a mind of its home and often rejects her upgrades –phenomena for which Myra has no explanation and a fact that she keeps to herself. She documents her work on her Mansion along with pictures of the rooms in her blog, “The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone”, which she started on the persuasion of her best and only friend, Gwen. Her blog has garnered a tremendous following with fans writing to her and sending her potential additions to the rooms. When Rutherford Alexander Rakes III, “Alex”, heir to his affluent family’s furniture business, comes across her blog he is taken aback when he sees that the rooms of the mansion and some of the décor are similar to the house he now lives in – an old house that belonged to his paternal grandmother Willa’s side of the family complete with a legacy about which Alex has more questions than answers. Alex reaches out to Myra and as they begin to correspond, the mystery behind Myra’s Mansion and Alex’s family legacy is slowly unraveled and in the process exacting a positive change in both of their lives.
With its absorbing plot and elements of intrigue and magical realism, The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges is an enchanting story that touches upon themes of loneliness, friendship, love and family among others. The author touches upon sensitive topics such as grief, isolation, anxiety and PTSD with much compassion. While there are episodes of deep pain and sorrow in this story, we also have heartwarming moments of friendship, love and personal growth peppered with splashes of humor interspersed throughout the novel, the author does a remarkable job of weaving the multiple timelines and perspectives into an immersive narrative. Myra is an endearing protagonist, though I did find her a tad immature at times, and I found Willa to be an intriguing character. Though this is a relatively slow-paced novel, at no point did I lose interest. The connection between Alex and Myra is not completely unpredictable but I did like how the story developed. I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Christine Lakin, which made this story come to life.
January 20, 2023
This is a quietly lovely book, but it just didn't achieve that great, memorable feeling like I was hoping it would. I love magical realism, but it took so long for this to get going and for the pieces to slot together.
Myra Malone possesses a magical mansion (don't call it a dollhouse) which she painstakingly decorates and cares for in the attic of her house. It was entrusted to her by her step-grandmother Trixie, and in the twenty-nine years since Trixie died, Myra has lovingly curated each room. She writes stories about the mansion on a blog, and it has gained a cult following of those who love to recreate the mansion aesthetic in their own homes. When one of these followers shows a photo to furniture seller Alex Rakes, he is astounded because he lives in his family's ancestral home--one that is the mirror image of Myra's mansion. What is the connection?
This has some sweet themes of loss, love, and family, but the telling is disjointed with the movement back and forth in time and between Alex's and Myra's pasts and presents, along with other members of their family. It's not told in a very straightforward way, so when it was all laid out I had already figured out most of what was going on and could predict what would happen.
I liked Alex as a character, but I didn't really warm to Myra for a long time. I thought her family coddled her and let her dwell on the past much, much longer than seemed realistic. Although the ending is satisfying and the story as a whole is good, it is lacking in the magical wistfulness I was hoping for in the story. It's also quite a slow burn, so if you're not in the mood for some meandering, save it for a time when you are.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Myra Malone possesses a magical mansion (don't call it a dollhouse) which she painstakingly decorates and cares for in the attic of her house. It was entrusted to her by her step-grandmother Trixie, and in the twenty-nine years since Trixie died, Myra has lovingly curated each room. She writes stories about the mansion on a blog, and it has gained a cult following of those who love to recreate the mansion aesthetic in their own homes. When one of these followers shows a photo to furniture seller Alex Rakes, he is astounded because he lives in his family's ancestral home--one that is the mirror image of Myra's mansion. What is the connection?
This has some sweet themes of loss, love, and family, but the telling is disjointed with the movement back and forth in time and between Alex's and Myra's pasts and presents, along with other members of their family. It's not told in a very straightforward way, so when it was all laid out I had already figured out most of what was going on and could predict what would happen.
I liked Alex as a character, but I didn't really warm to Myra for a long time. I thought her family coddled her and let her dwell on the past much, much longer than seemed realistic. Although the ending is satisfying and the story as a whole is good, it is lacking in the magical wistfulness I was hoping for in the story. It's also quite a slow burn, so if you're not in the mood for some meandering, save it for a time when you are.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
August 23, 2023
3.5 stars
If I learned anything from Audrey Burges’s The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone, it’s that Myra’s little mansion isn’t a dollhouse. Oh no. It’s a mansion. And it better not ever hear you use the d-word for fear of … you know, I’m not quite sure what would happen. All I know is that it really doesn’t like the d-word.
I just wish I was as enamored with the story of Myra and her mansion as I was with the idea of the mansion itself. Simply the thought of it, with its disappearing and reappearing rooms, its moving furniture and the mysterious music playing in its halls, is enough to make 6-year-old Melissa wish she had a mansion just like it. She’d never tire of it.
But the story could’ve used some refining. There’s at least three timelines, maybe even four or five, and it’s very confusing, all the flitting about between Myra, both young and grown, the love interest, Alex, and Alex’s family.
And Burges spends way too much time telling the story of the past. The novel is supposed to be about Myra, about how she falls in love with Alex and comes out of her reclusive shell, and that’s what I wanted to read. I wasn’t nearly as interested in the history of Alex’s grandparents and father, but I ended up knowing a lot more about them than I ever did Myra and her relationship with Alex.
The Minuscule Mansion does, however, have a good bit of charm. The romance is sweet, and Myra’s backstory is affecting. She’s lived her life in a cabin in the woods, only ever interacting with her mom and her best friend. There’s a reason for it, and it makes for a haunting read.
Some of the time, that is. When the book isn’t stuck in the past.
My sincerest appreciation to Audrey Burges, Berkley, and Edelweiss+ for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
If I learned anything from Audrey Burges’s The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone, it’s that Myra’s little mansion isn’t a dollhouse. Oh no. It’s a mansion. And it better not ever hear you use the d-word for fear of … you know, I’m not quite sure what would happen. All I know is that it really doesn’t like the d-word.
I just wish I was as enamored with the story of Myra and her mansion as I was with the idea of the mansion itself. Simply the thought of it, with its disappearing and reappearing rooms, its moving furniture and the mysterious music playing in its halls, is enough to make 6-year-old Melissa wish she had a mansion just like it. She’d never tire of it.
But the story could’ve used some refining. There’s at least three timelines, maybe even four or five, and it’s very confusing, all the flitting about between Myra, both young and grown, the love interest, Alex, and Alex’s family.
And Burges spends way too much time telling the story of the past. The novel is supposed to be about Myra, about how she falls in love with Alex and comes out of her reclusive shell, and that’s what I wanted to read. I wasn’t nearly as interested in the history of Alex’s grandparents and father, but I ended up knowing a lot more about them than I ever did Myra and her relationship with Alex.
The Minuscule Mansion does, however, have a good bit of charm. The romance is sweet, and Myra’s backstory is affecting. She’s lived her life in a cabin in the woods, only ever interacting with her mom and her best friend. There’s a reason for it, and it makes for a haunting read.
Some of the time, that is. When the book isn’t stuck in the past.
My sincerest appreciation to Audrey Burges, Berkley, and Edelweiss+ for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
July 4, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised by this one. As someone who is obsessed with The Doll Maker, and before that, The Tale of the Dollmaker, loosely based on the aforementioned book. While this book is less about dolls, than the mansion that houses them, my interest was piqued.
As a woman in her mid thirties, it always interests me to read about protagonists of a similar age. That's not to say our interests always align, but there is certainly more to relate to.
Myra blogs about a dollhouse mansion. Elsewhere, Alex recognizes the dollhouse as his family home. This is part mystery, part fantasy, with a healthy dose of magical realism, which isn't for everyone, but is definitely for me. I enjoyed seeing how the story played out, and how the two storylines eventually connect. Alex's family could use a little work, but we can't choose that, so I won't fault him.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
As a woman in her mid thirties, it always interests me to read about protagonists of a similar age. That's not to say our interests always align, but there is certainly more to relate to.
Myra blogs about a dollhouse mansion. Elsewhere, Alex recognizes the dollhouse as his family home. This is part mystery, part fantasy, with a healthy dose of magical realism, which isn't for everyone, but is definitely for me. I enjoyed seeing how the story played out, and how the two storylines eventually connect. Alex's family could use a little work, but we can't choose that, so I won't fault him.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
July 25, 2023
Such a heartfelt, unique and highly interesting reading with well crafted- unique storyline and adorable quirky and unconventional characters!
Myra Malone is living in a mansion in Arizona, curating her doll house and her best friend Gwen turns her abilities into popular business opportunity. Thanks to Gwen’s business oriented creative mind, Myra starts writing blogs about her dollhouse, sharing photos, collecting the small crafts people sending all over the world to decorate her secluded doll house with them but positioning that distinguished objects is a hard job, taking a lot of effort.
And now she needs more money not to get kicked out of her own house! Her mother Diana’s extra expanses and her reverse mortgage decision caused serious financial problems for them.
Myra haven’t left her house for a long time ( honestly last time she left the place she was only five and she was victim of car accident which resulted with her beloved step grandma’s death and scars and damages on her face and other parts of her body! Only thing helped her as an anchor was inheriting the doll house and taking care of them)
Gwen: straightforward, nonstop talking , hyperactive loyal friend of her finds a great solution to save her from her financial issues: she starts a fund raiser with the opportunity of seeing the Minuscule Mansion in person ( that’s what they called the magical dollhouse)
In the meantime, Alex Rakes who works with his father at their family’s furniture store is feeling doomed and trapped, living in Virginia at a house which is exact replica of Minuscule Mansion so when he finds out the website of Myra, he decides to connect with her, attending to the competition.
Finally after few correspondences later, two of them are ready to meet in person to solve the mystery about the real origins of Minuscule Mansion!
Overall: I loved both Myra and Alex’s characterizations and their cute love story! Gwen was lovely supporting character. The mystery’s unfolding and the story’s development are also intriguing. I absolutely enjoyed a lot!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Myra Malone is living in a mansion in Arizona, curating her doll house and her best friend Gwen turns her abilities into popular business opportunity. Thanks to Gwen’s business oriented creative mind, Myra starts writing blogs about her dollhouse, sharing photos, collecting the small crafts people sending all over the world to decorate her secluded doll house with them but positioning that distinguished objects is a hard job, taking a lot of effort.
And now she needs more money not to get kicked out of her own house! Her mother Diana’s extra expanses and her reverse mortgage decision caused serious financial problems for them.
Myra haven’t left her house for a long time ( honestly last time she left the place she was only five and she was victim of car accident which resulted with her beloved step grandma’s death and scars and damages on her face and other parts of her body! Only thing helped her as an anchor was inheriting the doll house and taking care of them)
Gwen: straightforward, nonstop talking , hyperactive loyal friend of her finds a great solution to save her from her financial issues: she starts a fund raiser with the opportunity of seeing the Minuscule Mansion in person ( that’s what they called the magical dollhouse)
In the meantime, Alex Rakes who works with his father at their family’s furniture store is feeling doomed and trapped, living in Virginia at a house which is exact replica of Minuscule Mansion so when he finds out the website of Myra, he decides to connect with her, attending to the competition.
Finally after few correspondences later, two of them are ready to meet in person to solve the mystery about the real origins of Minuscule Mansion!
Overall: I loved both Myra and Alex’s characterizations and their cute love story! Gwen was lovely supporting character. The mystery’s unfolding and the story’s development are also intriguing. I absolutely enjoyed a lot!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
January 30, 2023
ALL THE STARS!! I loved this one so very much - my first 5 star read of the year! Magic realism, a romance and a little mystery all rolled into one in this touching story of a reclusive woman with a magic “don’t-call-it-a-dollhouse” and her blog follower a coast away with so very, very much in common with each other. I will be awaiting the next release by this new author!
May 10, 2024
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges is a magical realism fantasy novel with a touch of romance to the story. The story in The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is also one that is told by changing the point of view between the characters.
For years now Myra Malone has cared for the dollhouse mansion in her attic carefully curating new rooms nightly. Myra’s best friend found a way for Myra to make money on her activities with the mansion by setting Myra up online where she can share photos and the stories of each new room she creates and now has a whole community interested in the mansion’s progress.
Meanwhile across the country Alex Rakes works daily in his custom furniture business when Alex is approached by fans of the miniscule mansion website. When the customers show Alex what they are wanting to duplicate from Myra’s site Alex is shocked when he recognizes the rooms in the photographs. Everything Alex is seeing in a miniture version of his one life and he knows she needs to track down the owner of the website.
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is the first book I’d read from author Audrey Burges so of course I had no idea what to expect going into the story. For me the book became one of those that I deeply appreciate the creativity of the story as this was definitely something I hadn’t read before and that can be hard to come by. However, on the flip side I found this one to also be a slow mover and that often leaves me wanting more as I go along in the story. So with my feelings flip flopping along the way between interest and disinterest with the pacing I finished this one rating it at three and a half stars but would return to this author again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
For years now Myra Malone has cared for the dollhouse mansion in her attic carefully curating new rooms nightly. Myra’s best friend found a way for Myra to make money on her activities with the mansion by setting Myra up online where she can share photos and the stories of each new room she creates and now has a whole community interested in the mansion’s progress.
Meanwhile across the country Alex Rakes works daily in his custom furniture business when Alex is approached by fans of the miniscule mansion website. When the customers show Alex what they are wanting to duplicate from Myra’s site Alex is shocked when he recognizes the rooms in the photographs. Everything Alex is seeing in a miniture version of his one life and he knows she needs to track down the owner of the website.
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is the first book I’d read from author Audrey Burges so of course I had no idea what to expect going into the story. For me the book became one of those that I deeply appreciate the creativity of the story as this was definitely something I hadn’t read before and that can be hard to come by. However, on the flip side I found this one to also be a slow mover and that often leaves me wanting more as I go along in the story. So with my feelings flip flopping along the way between interest and disinterest with the pacing I finished this one rating it at three and a half stars but would return to this author again.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 1, 2023
Happy New Year to all!
For my first read of the new year, I decided to start with an ARC of a book that normally wouldn’t be up my alley in terms of genre, but the premise of the story interested me enough that I wanted to give it a try. I’m honestly glad I did because I ended up enjoying this one way more than I thought I would.
“Once upon a time, there was a house.” Such an appropriate first sentence for a story that has both a fairy tale feel and a mysterious house as a central character. Myra Malone came into possession of the Minuscule Mansion (essentially an antique miniature dollhouse but with no dolls) when she was six years old and since then, she became its meticulous and thoughtful “caretaker”, dedicating her life to the Mansion’s maintenance and upkeep such as mending broken furniture, decorating rooms with themes during holidays, etc. Now 34 years old, Myra has been living a reclusive life in her family’s cabin in Arizona ever since surviving a car accident when she was a child and spends most of her time in the attic tending to the Mansion as well as writing about her experience. Through the encouragement of her only friend (and former neighbor) Gwen, Myra begins to share her writing via blog posts and soon amasses a huge following that numbers in the hundred thousands. Meanwhile, in Virginia, Alex Rakes, who works for his family’s custom furniture business, encounters a couple looking to recreate one of the Mansion rooms — when they show him pictures of the room from Myra’s website, he is shocked to discover his own bedroom mirrored back to him in miniature scale. Hoping to find out what is going on, Alex starts up correspondence with Myra and as they begin to share their respective stories as well as slowly unravel the mystery behind the Mansion, they end up going down a path that neither of them expected.
I found this story enchanting and delightful. Even though there are tragic and sad things that occur, these are handled in a thoughtful manner that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the events, while at the same time, maintaining a lightheartedness to the story that made this a compelling but by no means heavy read. I loved the bits of humor sprinkled throughout the story, especially in the excerpts from Myra’s blog posts as well as in the dialogue between the characters. Speaking of the characters…yes, the main narrative revolves around how Myra and Alex ultimately fall in love, but this was so much more than just a love story — this was also a story about friendship and family, about hope and resilience and overcoming tragedy, about loneliness and finding a sense of connection — most centrally though was the theme of remembrance and how we carry the memories of people and places with us, even when the physical manifestation of them are gone.
This is one of those books that doesn’t fit nicely into a particular genre — some may consider this a fantasy, others may categorize it as contemporary fiction with magical realism elements (I lean toward the latter). Whatever the category though, I appreciated the uniqueness and charm of the story, which was evident in the fact that, even though some scenes were a bit too “cutesy” for my tastes and the “mystery” part was obvious from the get go, I still found this book irresistibly hard to put down. This was also an instance where reading outside of my usual comfort zone paid off and it’s an experience I definitely recommend. The ARC I read also had an excerpt from the author’s next book, which is scheduled to come out in 2024 — it sounds just as charming and I look forward to reading it!
Received ARC from Berkley via NetGalley.
For my first read of the new year, I decided to start with an ARC of a book that normally wouldn’t be up my alley in terms of genre, but the premise of the story interested me enough that I wanted to give it a try. I’m honestly glad I did because I ended up enjoying this one way more than I thought I would.
“Once upon a time, there was a house.” Such an appropriate first sentence for a story that has both a fairy tale feel and a mysterious house as a central character. Myra Malone came into possession of the Minuscule Mansion (essentially an antique miniature dollhouse but with no dolls) when she was six years old and since then, she became its meticulous and thoughtful “caretaker”, dedicating her life to the Mansion’s maintenance and upkeep such as mending broken furniture, decorating rooms with themes during holidays, etc. Now 34 years old, Myra has been living a reclusive life in her family’s cabin in Arizona ever since surviving a car accident when she was a child and spends most of her time in the attic tending to the Mansion as well as writing about her experience. Through the encouragement of her only friend (and former neighbor) Gwen, Myra begins to share her writing via blog posts and soon amasses a huge following that numbers in the hundred thousands. Meanwhile, in Virginia, Alex Rakes, who works for his family’s custom furniture business, encounters a couple looking to recreate one of the Mansion rooms — when they show him pictures of the room from Myra’s website, he is shocked to discover his own bedroom mirrored back to him in miniature scale. Hoping to find out what is going on, Alex starts up correspondence with Myra and as they begin to share their respective stories as well as slowly unravel the mystery behind the Mansion, they end up going down a path that neither of them expected.
I found this story enchanting and delightful. Even though there are tragic and sad things that occur, these are handled in a thoughtful manner that doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the events, while at the same time, maintaining a lightheartedness to the story that made this a compelling but by no means heavy read. I loved the bits of humor sprinkled throughout the story, especially in the excerpts from Myra’s blog posts as well as in the dialogue between the characters. Speaking of the characters…yes, the main narrative revolves around how Myra and Alex ultimately fall in love, but this was so much more than just a love story — this was also a story about friendship and family, about hope and resilience and overcoming tragedy, about loneliness and finding a sense of connection — most centrally though was the theme of remembrance and how we carry the memories of people and places with us, even when the physical manifestation of them are gone.
This is one of those books that doesn’t fit nicely into a particular genre — some may consider this a fantasy, others may categorize it as contemporary fiction with magical realism elements (I lean toward the latter). Whatever the category though, I appreciated the uniqueness and charm of the story, which was evident in the fact that, even though some scenes were a bit too “cutesy” for my tastes and the “mystery” part was obvious from the get go, I still found this book irresistibly hard to put down. This was also an instance where reading outside of my usual comfort zone paid off and it’s an experience I definitely recommend. The ARC I read also had an excerpt from the author’s next book, which is scheduled to come out in 2024 — it sounds just as charming and I look forward to reading it!
Received ARC from Berkley via NetGalley.
March 10, 2023
I want to give this book a zillion stars! It was enchanting!
February 1, 2023
A unique, quirky, and clever story. An engaging story, fabulous characters, and a whole lot of heart.
Myra is an agoraphobic, her entire life is spent in the attic with her beloved miniature house. she has a blog based on the miniature house that has quite the following. Alex works in his family's furniture store when he runs across Myra's blog. He is completely taken aback, because this miniature house is an exact replica
of his house. Wild right? loved how the story unfolded and being drawn into Myra's world. I was so glad Myra had such a good friend, otherwise she would have been completely cut off from the outside world. Alex had such a complicated relationship with his father, it was nice to piece things together as the past was revealed. Magic was sprinkled throughout the story, and if I had one complaint it would be I wanted a little more magic. The audiobook was narrated byChristine Lakin who did a great job of bringing the story to life.
*** Big thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for my gifted copies of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Myra is an agoraphobic, her entire life is spent in the attic with her beloved miniature house. she has a blog based on the miniature house that has quite the following. Alex works in his family's furniture store when he runs across Myra's blog. He is completely taken aback, because this miniature house is an exact replica
of his house. Wild right? loved how the story unfolded and being drawn into Myra's world. I was so glad Myra had such a good friend, otherwise she would have been completely cut off from the outside world. Alex had such a complicated relationship with his father, it was nice to piece things together as the past was revealed. Magic was sprinkled throughout the story, and if I had one complaint it would be I wanted a little more magic. The audiobook was narrated byChristine Lakin who did a great job of bringing the story to life.
*** Big thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for my gifted copies of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
March 1, 2023
Generations of shitty/abusive parents + a romance between 2 emotionally stunted step cousins + some poorly explained magic.
The writing is interesting, but none of the characters are likable.
The writing is interesting, but none of the characters are likable.
May 16, 2023
A miniature mansion, a woman crafting its tiny rooms and sharing them on the internet, and a man who is inexplicably finding photos of a dollhouse on the internet that portrays... his actual home?
Concept: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★
Myra Malone lives in her home surrounded by the frozen time warp that is her life. At the age of five, she was in a devastating car accident—it killed her step-grandmother and left Myra traumatized and near death. Her recovery journey went from coping with some altered facial differences as a child to isolating herself inside as a homeschool student to being an adult wholly unable to leave her home.
In this very, very isolated and hermit-like existence, Myra has her Mansion.
Well, it's not a mansion. It's actually a very well-crafted large dollhouse, complete with dozens of furnished rooms, beautiful miniaturized fixtures, and a little extra something that Myra herself never questions. (If the rooms she creates react and adapt on their own, who's to say? Myra knows there's something a bit like magic happening under her nose, but she doesn't mind.)
Across the country, Alex works in his father's furniture store. His family is Virginian old money, and they have an old estate in the woods that his father hates and Alex loves. It's a true mansion in the Virginian woods, and it calls to Alex like some kind of magic. Furniture moves around when he's not looking, and every once in a while he can here music and voices.
Alex and Myra don't know it, but their worlds are about to collide.
Myra made an online blog about her miniature Mansion, and it developed a massive cult following despite her lack of interest—it was all her friend Gwen's idea, after all. But that cult following kept growing, and one day it reached the ears of Alex in Virginia.
Alex is stunned to discover that Myra's "Mansion" is... his house. And the bedroom she just took a photo of is... his bedroom. Done in miniature, of course, but it's his room. And that's his library, and that's his... and on.
Myra and Alex are about to uncover a lot of history and the magical ties that bind them together...
The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone was such an enchanting and original read. I was drawn to this story by its very unique title, but the ultimate thing that made me ask for an early reading copy was this concept of a magic dollhouse tied to a real mansion. What a fun twist on the magical house trope!
And, for those who come to this story for that reason, I think you're in for a similarly delightful read. Quaint, soft, yet overwhelmingly filled with heart and healing, this is a story that I think will find broad appeal in the soft fantasy, romance, light historical, and contemporary literature market. There's a dash of this, a dash of that...
At times too drawn out and at others too condensed, I did feel like this story included too much and yet also too little. This was a deceptively large concept hiding behind a small pitch line, and once you pulled on the first thread it all just collapsed into your metaphorical reader lap.
Something about this story that I did not expect were the multiple timelines throughout it. This is a multi-generational epic that spans over 100 years, with chapters of various points in time. Myra and Alex each have their own POV thread with chapters throughout the book, but interspersed continuously through that main story arc is a very dense historical narrative with some other characters. I wasn't expecting that in this story, and frankly I think it led me as reader to feeling too spread out between such a long time period and too many characters. My personal preference would have been to keep this story contemporary, with Myra and Alex, and let the past be the past. But take that with a grain of salt—I am not a historical fiction reader!
However, quibbles aside, I think this story will find its niche audience and bring out some joy and emotional healing to its readers.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
Concept: ★★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★
Myra Malone lives in her home surrounded by the frozen time warp that is her life. At the age of five, she was in a devastating car accident—it killed her step-grandmother and left Myra traumatized and near death. Her recovery journey went from coping with some altered facial differences as a child to isolating herself inside as a homeschool student to being an adult wholly unable to leave her home.
In this very, very isolated and hermit-like existence, Myra has her Mansion.
Well, it's not a mansion. It's actually a very well-crafted large dollhouse, complete with dozens of furnished rooms, beautiful miniaturized fixtures, and a little extra something that Myra herself never questions. (If the rooms she creates react and adapt on their own, who's to say? Myra knows there's something a bit like magic happening under her nose, but she doesn't mind.)
Across the country, Alex works in his father's furniture store. His family is Virginian old money, and they have an old estate in the woods that his father hates and Alex loves. It's a true mansion in the Virginian woods, and it calls to Alex like some kind of magic. Furniture moves around when he's not looking, and every once in a while he can here music and voices.
Alex and Myra don't know it, but their worlds are about to collide.
Myra made an online blog about her miniature Mansion, and it developed a massive cult following despite her lack of interest—it was all her friend Gwen's idea, after all. But that cult following kept growing, and one day it reached the ears of Alex in Virginia.
Alex is stunned to discover that Myra's "Mansion" is... his house. And the bedroom she just took a photo of is... his bedroom. Done in miniature, of course, but it's his room. And that's his library, and that's his... and on.
Myra and Alex are about to uncover a lot of history and the magical ties that bind them together...
The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone was such an enchanting and original read. I was drawn to this story by its very unique title, but the ultimate thing that made me ask for an early reading copy was this concept of a magic dollhouse tied to a real mansion. What a fun twist on the magical house trope!
And, for those who come to this story for that reason, I think you're in for a similarly delightful read. Quaint, soft, yet overwhelmingly filled with heart and healing, this is a story that I think will find broad appeal in the soft fantasy, romance, light historical, and contemporary literature market. There's a dash of this, a dash of that...
At times too drawn out and at others too condensed, I did feel like this story included too much and yet also too little. This was a deceptively large concept hiding behind a small pitch line, and once you pulled on the first thread it all just collapsed into your metaphorical reader lap.
Something about this story that I did not expect were the multiple timelines throughout it. This is a multi-generational epic that spans over 100 years, with chapters of various points in time. Myra and Alex each have their own POV thread with chapters throughout the book, but interspersed continuously through that main story arc is a very dense historical narrative with some other characters. I wasn't expecting that in this story, and frankly I think it led me as reader to feeling too spread out between such a long time period and too many characters. My personal preference would have been to keep this story contemporary, with Myra and Alex, and let the past be the past. But take that with a grain of salt—I am not a historical fiction reader!
However, quibbles aside, I think this story will find its niche audience and bring out some joy and emotional healing to its readers.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
February 10, 2023
I was eager to the bottom of why Myra wouldn’t leave her house and I also wondered how the two mansions, one doll-sized and the other Alex’s home were connected. Myra and Alex fall for each other gradually as they get to know each other through their emails and phone conversations. Willa and Ford’s romance in the past was sad but was necessary to for everything to come together.
This enjoyable story was magical and refreshingly different!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley Books in exchange for an honest review.
This enjoyable story was magical and refreshingly different!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2023
4.5⭐️ When housebound Myra Malone creates a blog dedicated to her inherited dollhouse mansion, she captivates an audience who anxiously await each and every blog post and design update.
Across the country, Alex Rakes lives in a seemingly identical mansion passed down to him by his grandmother who mysteriously vanished. When Alex contacts Myra to search for answers, a friendship soon forms.
Wow. What a unique and charming book. Pushing me right outside of my comfort zone, this story gripped me almost immediately and never let me go. Also, you know a book is going to be great when the laughter begins on page one.
This powerhouse packs not one, but many punches. At it’s core, this novel is about figuring out where we belong when we see ourselves as “different”. It’s about embracing our uniqueness and finding others who appreciate it. It deals a lot with agoraphobia and social phobias and the consequences of those conditions, but it also delivers not one but two love stories across many decades. This little book is filled with a whole lot of hope making it an incredible feel good story anyone would enjoy.
I listened to this on audio and have to give a shoutout to the exquisite narration of Christine Lakin. She did a phenomenal job bringing a handful of characters to life, giving each one a very distinct voice. This would make such a fun immersive read combining the audio with the physical book.
Read if you like:
•unique stories
•magical realism
•house setting
•social anxiety rep
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Across the country, Alex Rakes lives in a seemingly identical mansion passed down to him by his grandmother who mysteriously vanished. When Alex contacts Myra to search for answers, a friendship soon forms.
Wow. What a unique and charming book. Pushing me right outside of my comfort zone, this story gripped me almost immediately and never let me go. Also, you know a book is going to be great when the laughter begins on page one.
This powerhouse packs not one, but many punches. At it’s core, this novel is about figuring out where we belong when we see ourselves as “different”. It’s about embracing our uniqueness and finding others who appreciate it. It deals a lot with agoraphobia and social phobias and the consequences of those conditions, but it also delivers not one but two love stories across many decades. This little book is filled with a whole lot of hope making it an incredible feel good story anyone would enjoy.
I listened to this on audio and have to give a shoutout to the exquisite narration of Christine Lakin. She did a phenomenal job bringing a handful of characters to life, giving each one a very distinct voice. This would make such a fun immersive read combining the audio with the physical book.
Read if you like:
•unique stories
•magical realism
•house setting
•social anxiety rep
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 12, 2022
House books, done well, are one of my favorite sub-sub-genres, and Audrey Burges does them very, very, very well. Ever since I saw the premise of THE MINUSCULE MANSION OF MYRA MALONE, I've been very interested in reading, and when Audrey hooked me up with this ARC I was excited to dive in. But then the book grabbed me and it pulled me in and before I knew it I'd finished in less than 24 hours. I was just fully, fully absorbed in this fascinating world. The closest I think I can come to describing the vibes is like Alix E. Harrow thrown in a blender with... Kerry Winfrey maybe? There's magic, there's angst, there's a multi-generational family saga, but there's also a wholesome coziness and a wonderful love story that makes it all feel like it's a... well... refuge. Everything the mansion represents is how this book feels and it's so beautiful and left me feeling all sorts of things and oh my god please just read this because it's incredible.
January 16, 2023
In Arizona, Thirty-Four-year-old Myra Malone has captured the attention of thousands of monthly subscribers through her blog. Myra’s blog is about a miniature mansion that she obsesses over every single detail. Myra herself is bound to the dollhouse by mysteries she can't comprehend- rooms that appear and disappear overnight and by music that spontaneously plays.
In Virginia, Alex Rakes heir of his family's furniture business encounters two of Myra’s fans wanting to recreate a room in the dollhouse. When Alex views a photo of the minuscule mansion, he is shocked to recognize a reflection of his own home. The mansion is identical to the home he inherited from his grandmother. Alex soon contacts Myra and the two begin to not only solve the mystery but also discover how they are connected.
This heartwarming and charming story was just what I needed! I immediately fell for both Myra and Alex and I loved watching their friendship bloom. I absolutely loved the neurodivergent representation. Myra is a writer but throughout the years and after many heartbreaking tragedies
she has become a bit of a recluse and suffers from agoraphobia.
This story is poignant and sad at times but it also contains a lot of heart and humor. There are elements of magical realism but nothing so improbable that it's not unbelievable. Audrey Burges described the mansion with such vivid imagery that I could perfectly imagine every detail of it. I look forward to reading whatever Audrey writes next!
I just know that this story will steal your heart as it did mine! Many thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy.
In Virginia, Alex Rakes heir of his family's furniture business encounters two of Myra’s fans wanting to recreate a room in the dollhouse. When Alex views a photo of the minuscule mansion, he is shocked to recognize a reflection of his own home. The mansion is identical to the home he inherited from his grandmother. Alex soon contacts Myra and the two begin to not only solve the mystery but also discover how they are connected.
This heartwarming and charming story was just what I needed! I immediately fell for both Myra and Alex and I loved watching their friendship bloom. I absolutely loved the neurodivergent representation. Myra is a writer but throughout the years and after many heartbreaking tragedies
she has become a bit of a recluse and suffers from agoraphobia.
This story is poignant and sad at times but it also contains a lot of heart and humor. There are elements of magical realism but nothing so improbable that it's not unbelievable. Audrey Burges described the mansion with such vivid imagery that I could perfectly imagine every detail of it. I look forward to reading whatever Audrey writes next!
I just know that this story will steal your heart as it did mine! Many thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy.
August 16, 2023
I had very high hopes for this many of which were realised. The writing felt warm and cosy, like a hug, while the sprinkling of magical realism added a nicely intriguing edge. The concept was wonderful and this could so easily have been a five-star read had the pace been a little faster and had Myra been a more sympathetic character.
The biggest turn-off for me was the constant changing between timelines, though that is entirely a personal dislike rather than a criticism. I could cope with it at first but then as more viewpoints were added it all became too disjointed for my taste, leaving me detached from the story. My attention was held quite readily whilst I was reading this but I wasn't chomping at the bit to return to it when I had to put it down. In the end I became bored and never did finish it.
ETA - Trixie died when Myra was 5, yet we repeatedly hear about all the things Trixie taught Myra to do and all the wisdom she passed along. I can only presume Myra was an infant prodigy to have picked up and retained all the skills and information.
I'm sure many readers would love this book, it just wasn't quite for me.
The biggest turn-off for me was the constant changing between timelines, though that is entirely a personal dislike rather than a criticism. I could cope with it at first but then as more viewpoints were added it all became too disjointed for my taste, leaving me detached from the story. My attention was held quite readily whilst I was reading this but I wasn't chomping at the bit to return to it when I had to put it down. In the end I became bored and never did finish it.
ETA - Trixie died when Myra was 5, yet we repeatedly hear about all the things Trixie taught Myra to do and all the wisdom she passed along. I can only presume Myra was an infant prodigy to have picked up and retained all the skills and information.
I'm sure many readers would love this book, it just wasn't quite for me.
May 15, 2023
I really wanted to love this book. I loved the premise - whimsical, magic and quaint. But it took me so long to read, because I found the time switching and amount of characters complex. But the thing that disappointed me the most was the trope that someone with a facial difference believed she shouldn't be seen by the world. As someone with a facial difference, this trope didn't promote pride, instead it reinforced shame and stigma. I do understand how the internet, specifically blogging, allows Myra to be herself and have people come to know her without prejudice, though. I've been there. Perhaps the author could check out the work of Face Equality International - the theme for this year's Face Equality Week is We Will Not Hide. More info: https://faceequalityinternational.org...
The story could have worked without Myra having a facial difference, and certainly with Myra having a facial difference, but shaking that shame.
The story could have worked without Myra having a facial difference, and certainly with Myra having a facial difference, but shaking that shame.
January 30, 2023
Does the writer know any five year olds in real life? The suspension of disbelief over what a small child could have learned from her grandparents is just too much. This story is hollow and the characters one dimensional. The plot is all over the place and the ending is rushed and unsatisfying.
December 21, 2022
I'm so glad that I got a chance to read an advanced copy of The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone. This is such a unique story in every possible way.
I loved the characters (except for one, who is meant to be unlikable). The Mansion was described so well that I could easily visualize it, along with all the furniture that went inside. Everything was so mesmerizing about this novel and it held my interest from beginning to end. I really liked how it connected Myra and Alex and enjoyed seeing both their perspectives, along with Willa's. They each led such sad lives and I wanted to see things get better for them.
It felt like there were some questions that weren't really answered, but I don't want to say much more than that as to not spoil all the surprises that are in store. You definitely have to suspend disbelief though.
This enthralling and memorable novel is perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Margarita Montimore.
Movie casting suggestions:
I loved the characters (except for one, who is meant to be unlikable). The Mansion was described so well that I could easily visualize it, along with all the furniture that went inside. Everything was so mesmerizing about this novel and it held my interest from beginning to end. I really liked how it connected Myra and Alex and enjoyed seeing both their perspectives, along with Willa's. They each led such sad lives and I wanted to see things get better for them.
It felt like there were some questions that weren't really answered, but I don't want to say much more than that as to not spoil all the surprises that are in store. You definitely have to suspend disbelief though.
This enthralling and memorable novel is perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern and Margarita Montimore.
Movie casting suggestions:
Myra: Juno Temple
Gwen: Stella Maeve
Alex: Micah Stock
Willa (later years): Jane Seymour
January 12, 2023
I think this book had a lot of potential, but the execution just wasn't there for me and this was largely due to the incredibly slow pace. I love magical realism, but I felt that this book needed magic...or something to keep driving the plot forward. The one character that I found the most interesting felt pretty mundane in the end even though she's the source of the family magic.
Thank you to Berkley for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Berkley for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2023
This was good! I liked the slight magic elements of it and the bond it created between Alex and Myra. The writing was great and I liked the mix of story and blog writing that wove together nicely. One thing that bothered me was that it used my most hated line in books "He let out a breath he didn't realized he'd been holding" TWICE! Two times in the same book. Whenever I see that line, I cringe. There was also an aspect that was a bit insta-lovey for me. Overall it was a really good book.
August 17, 2022
Myra was a shy, socially awkward child. That being said, she is immediately comfortable with her new step-grandmother, Trixie. The two spend hours playing with Trixie’s mansion, a dollhouse of sorts (Myra is adamant it is not a dollhouse). The two decorate it, move furniture and create a world around this house. When Myra is 5 years old, Trixie is killed in a bad car accident. Myra is severely injured in that same accident. Shortly after, Myra’s grandfather Lou bequeaths Myra the mansion. The mansion seems to have some magical qualities, as furniture will appear out of nowhere. The mansion also seems to have a life force that is hard to explain but harder to deny. Fast forward years and Myra’s childhood home is in the process of being auctioned off. Myra, a reclusive writer of a blog that focuses on the minuscule mansion, and her friend Gwen (her publicist) decide to take advantage of Myra’s fans and auction off a variety of things—the chance to decorate a room in the mansion, lunch with Myra—and use the funds to save her home. Alex Rakes is a furniture seller who happens to live in a home that is eerily similar to The Mansion. He wants to meet Myra. Myra begins to slowly venture out of her comfort zone because she is intrigued by the man who is living in the life-size mansion that matches her minuscule one. Alex shares his family drama history with Myra and the two begin to truly connect. They are connected in ways that they do not even realize. The depth of their connection can be their downfall…or their salvation.
February 6, 2023
This fell so flat for me. Having each chapter jump around between 3 different time periods/storylines made it very difficult to get into the story. Also I didn't like Myra at all. The romance seemed to happen after a few emails between the two characters and had zero spark.
The idea of the story is a good one, and I liked the mystery of the mansion and the mini mansion, but the rest of the story wasn't for me.
The idea of the story is a good one, and I liked the mystery of the mansion and the mini mansion, but the rest of the story wasn't for me.
January 12, 2023
“We can’t always choose the details of our burden, Myra. But we bear it just the same.”
This was a really charming and unique story. I went in blind to The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone and was so pleasantly surprised! The book is part fantasy, part contemporary romance with magical elements. There are tragic and heartbreaking moments, but it was balanced well with the overall whimsy of the story and world.
The mystery plot was pretty clear early on, but I still enjoyed seeing it all unfold. The story is told in multiple timelines and keeping things straight chapter to chapter was a challenge sometimes. The romance between Myra and Alex was sweet and I enjoyed the epistolary elements, but it felt a bit rushed and forced. It did make for a very heartwarming, full circle ending however.
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is a love story, but not just romantic love. It’s about the love of family, friends, and oneself. It’s about the sacrifices and choices we make in the name of love, for better or for worse.
I both read the ebook and listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Christine Lakin’s narration. She performed all the different characters in unique and complimentary voices and I definitely recommend experiencing this one on audio!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars
CW: complicated/strained family relationships, death of loved one (past, car accident), trauma, scars, recluse, hoarding (secondary character), housing insecurity/foreclosure due to debt, food insecurity (secondary character, past), mentions of war and PTSD (past, secondary character), arson/fire, suicide (secondary character), long term illness, verbal/physical abuse (past)
I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book
This was a really charming and unique story. I went in blind to The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone and was so pleasantly surprised! The book is part fantasy, part contemporary romance with magical elements. There are tragic and heartbreaking moments, but it was balanced well with the overall whimsy of the story and world.
The mystery plot was pretty clear early on, but I still enjoyed seeing it all unfold. The story is told in multiple timelines and keeping things straight chapter to chapter was a challenge sometimes. The romance between Myra and Alex was sweet and I enjoyed the epistolary elements, but it felt a bit rushed and forced. It did make for a very heartwarming, full circle ending however.
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is a love story, but not just romantic love. It’s about the love of family, friends, and oneself. It’s about the sacrifices and choices we make in the name of love, for better or for worse.
I both read the ebook and listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed Christine Lakin’s narration. She performed all the different characters in unique and complimentary voices and I definitely recommend experiencing this one on audio!
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars
CW: complicated/strained family relationships, death of loved one (past, car accident), trauma, scars, recluse, hoarding (secondary character), housing insecurity/foreclosure due to debt, food insecurity (secondary character, past), mentions of war and PTSD (past, secondary character), arson/fire, suicide (secondary character), long term illness, verbal/physical abuse (past)
I voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book
July 25, 2023
Thanks to the lovely @bookapotamus on Instagram (check her out, she's amazing) I happened to see The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone, and I am so glad I did! I haven't seen this novel around otherwise, and it was an absolute delight to read. While this isn't Audrey Burges' first novel, it IS her first novel that has been published, and thank goodness it made it out into the world. The pacing is on the slow side, but there are also multiple viewpoints and different years being focused on. We see Myra as a child and an adult which I don't think was entirely necessary, but that didn't stop me from liking it just the same. Honestly, my favorite viewpoint of all was probably Willa's, and I loved her character so much. The story is a little sad at times, and heavier than I had initially given it credit for, but it also made me laugh out loud as well.
I was really impressed with the audiobook narrator Christine Lakin, and she managed all of the different POVs like an absolute pro. While I would normally find a full cast better for so many viewpoints, I can’t imagine anyone but Lakin giving a voice to these characters now. I would absolutely recommend listening to the audio and I would happily listen to it again. The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is magical realism in my mind, and I wish there would have been just a little bit more magic. Some things were alluded to instead of shown, and I would have loved if Burges would have taken things a step further. That is a small gripe in a sea of positives though, and I think this would make a wonderful movie! I loved getting to know the characters as well as the mansions (yes even the not-a-dollhouse one), and the themes broached in the novel were done well. Read this if you want a touch of magic, a large dose of friendship, and a little bit of romance.
I was really impressed with the audiobook narrator Christine Lakin, and she managed all of the different POVs like an absolute pro. While I would normally find a full cast better for so many viewpoints, I can’t imagine anyone but Lakin giving a voice to these characters now. I would absolutely recommend listening to the audio and I would happily listen to it again. The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is magical realism in my mind, and I wish there would have been just a little bit more magic. Some things were alluded to instead of shown, and I would have loved if Burges would have taken things a step further. That is a small gripe in a sea of positives though, and I think this would make a wonderful movie! I loved getting to know the characters as well as the mansions (yes even the not-a-dollhouse one), and the themes broached in the novel were done well. Read this if you want a touch of magic, a large dose of friendship, and a little bit of romance.
January 16, 2024
Eine nette Idee, aber es zieeeeht sich sehr... vielleicht ist es nicht der richtige Zeitpunkt
July 2, 2023
An interesting and unique but flawed story. The transition in time between chapters was inconsistent and choppy. I enjoyed the story and the writing, but the questions of how or why were never answered.
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