Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Darling Girl”by Liz Michalski, Penguin Random House, Dutton, On Tour With Suzy Approved Book Tours

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Darling Girl” by Liz Michalski, Penguin Random House, Dutton. On Tour With Suzy Approved Book Tours

Liz Michalski, the author of “Darling Girl” has given a contemporary and captivating twist to the story of “Peter Pan” and the Darling family. The genres for this novel are Magical Realism, Mythology and Folk Tales, and Literary Fiction.There is a dash of Suspense, Romance, and Satire. The timeline of the story is told from the author’s present view, and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. In other words, this is a timeless story. “A “Fairy Tale” is usually about “magical” and imaginary beings and lands”(Dictionary) The names of the characters are the same as in the original fairy tale. The author describes her dramatic and colorful characters as complex, complicated, good and evil, dark, quirky, and flawed. Of course there is a dog also!! I love the way the author vividly describes this adult version, the characters, plot, and scenery.

Holly Darling, (Wendy’s grand-daughter) has a doctorate and works with various chemical and some biological elements and has a profitable company. Every woman and some men want to look younger. Wendy’s true motivation is to keep her son healthy. After a tragic accident with her family, She has watched out for his safety. Wendy also has some dark, deep secrets, that not even her son to mother know about.

Although the Darling family always has had a fascination with Peter Pan, Wendy knows that he is not what he seems, and he is very dangerous and treacherous. Peter also has some private business with Wendy, and she wants to protect her family from him. She knows she will have to get outside help, but is there anyone that she can trust?

I appreciate many of the themes in this story, drug abuse and use, coming of age, pressures of growing up, and the pressures of staying young. Women seem to be under more pressure by society to look a certain way. The author also discusses the importance of mothers, family, taking responsibility and growing up, the importance of friends, love, and hope. I enjoyed this thought-provoking novel and highly recommend this for other readers to enjoy!