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Read advance reader review of Mimi Malloy, At Last! by Julia MacDonnell, page 3 of 4

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Mimi Malloy, At Last! by Julia MacDonnell

Mimi Malloy, At Last!

by Julia MacDonnell
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus:
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  • First Published:
  • Apr 8, 2014, 288 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Mar 2015, 288 pages
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Reviews


Page 3 of 4
There are currently 25 member reviews
for Mimi Malloy, At Last!
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  • Carol T. (Ankeny, IA)
    Mimi survives - and thrives
    My mother was born nearly the same year as Mimi, the middle of 10 children, 7 of them girls. She has never talked about her childhood and steered us away when we tried to ask. She had no missing sisters and her parents lived to ripe old age, but there is something about that era that keeps many people from discussing - or even remembering - it; whether the reasons be deep family secrets or the hardship of growing up on a farm during the depression. Hurrah for Mimi and the women in her family who, however, unwillingly, face the past so they can face the future.
  • Lucy B. (Urbana, OH)
    At Last
    This is not one of those "delightful" stories by any means. Mimi had a sad life as a child and it followed her into adulthood. How much sadness, especially beginning in childhood, can one person endure. The death of her mother and the appearance of the "UGLY stepmother" put it all into motion. Then trying to remember as an adult what happened in her childhood, I felt Mimi's memory was blocked due to her experience. Then to top it off, loosing her husband to another woman after have six children was another devastating blow.

    In the story of Cinderella, Cinderella got away from her stepmother and found her prince charming. Has Mimi now found her prince charming after all the heartaches she has been through. I felt the author did a great job telling the story in Mimi's voice and leading us on through her story to the tragic outcome. This story was mesmerizing and I could not put the book down once I started reading it.
  • Dorothy T. (Victorville, CA)
    Memories light the corner of my mind
    I was not very sympathetic toward the main character of this novel, Mimi Malloy, a reluctantly retired 60-ish divorcee with six daughters, but as the story was told, with wit and humor, I began to like her more. If nothing else this book taught me not to accept someone at face value or by a single encounter; take time to get to know and understand another person, peel back a few layers, and you may be surprised by what you find.

    I cannot say that the answer to the big mystery of the book was any surprise to me, however, but watching Mimi's memories return and the effect those revelations have on her and on her relationships with her sisters and her daughters made this a worthwhile read.
  • Robin F. (Tucson, AZ)
    mimi malloy at last
    This book was so enjoyable. Mimi,the central character, is fun to read about. She has family that is determined to live her life for her, in a direction she doesn't want to go.
    I just finished a book called Still Alice when I started Mimi, so, at times, both books blended together. I, too, am retired, so forgetting things isn't unusual. However, this book has spirit. Having the author introduce Duffy made the book even better to read. While we learned about Mimi's life, it was also a pleasure to learn about Duffy. Mimi was lucky in many ways to have family that cared about her. I would recommend this book to my book club.
  • Darlyne F. (Hunter, ND)
    Mimi MalloryAt Last
    I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading about a woman my age.. This book has a little bit of everything. A mystery to solve. memories to sort out and some romance. Loved the chapters titles.
  • Elizabeth K. (Glenshaw, PA)
    Mimi Malloy, At Last!
    Mimi Malloy, who recently lost her job, is the Irish American mother of six grown daughters. A genealogy questionnaire for a nephew's school project opens doors to her mind that closed long ago. The quote, "forget too much, risk forgetting who you are" makes her delve into the past. The reader is introduced to the folklore of Irish Faeries and an Irish evil stepmother who thought she had special powers.
    This was a book that kept my interest.
  • Sue P. (Richardson, TX)
    Mimi Malloy - At Last!
    As a 'senior' myself, I found this book engaging, enjoyable and wise. By turns amusing and tragic, I could fully appreciate Mimi and her world - and her perception of her world. I applaud her grit and tenderness and refusal to be manipulated. Thank you, Mimi!

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