What readers think of Evil Genius, plus links to write your own review.

This is an awesome dark comedic novel focusing on issues of coming-of-age, identity, patriarchy and abuse. I listened to the novel excellently read by a narrator who was able to capture all aspects of Celia Dent as she comes-of-age.

It’s the 1970s San Francisco and 19 year old Celia Dent is married to “her Andrew or Drew”, working at the phone company and obsessed with the recent murder of one of her co-workers, Vivienne, who was having an affair with another of her co-workers, Randall. During their lunch break at Vivienne’s, her husband comes home and shoots her. From there Celia is obsessed with the story as a way to fend off Drew’s cruelties and manage the awful job she has. The story has some great funny moments and tragic in many ways. The ending is a surprise though. .

Celia is a complex character. She’s wacky for sure - she hears voices, collects Barbie dolls, and is in total thrall to Drew - she’s kind of pathetic there! As Celia tries out new things, she still is longing for love but sometimes willing settle for “the known pain” over the unknown. She is often puzzled by her own behaviors. Telling her story from 50 years in the present is revelatory for her as well as the readers.

I enjoyed this book so much I listened to it in one day!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for allowing me to read this ARC.