Best Offer Wins: A Novel

There is a special kind of frustration that comes from reading a novel with an interesting premise and competent prose, only to find yourself thoroughly repelled by nearly everyone inhabiting its pages. Marisa Kashino's Best Offer Wins is, regrettably, that kind of book. The writing itself is serviceable enough. The author has a competent command of pacing and scene-setting, and there are moments where the story moves along with enough momentum to keep the pages turning. Technically speaking, she can write. The problem is not the craft — it is the people she has populated this story with. The protagonist is, to put it plainly, a remarkably difficult person to spend a novel with and highly unlikable. Selfish, manipulative, and possessed of a seemingly bottomless capacity for self-pity, she navigates her circumstances by playing the victim at every turn while simultaneously making choices that are frequently maddening and occasionally preposterous. Rooting for her proves nearly impossible. Readers willing to extend considerable suspension of disbelief may find more patience for her craziness than I could muster. The supporting cast offers little relief. The husband is spineless to the point of parody, a man so thoroughly without backbone that his presence in any scene becomes its own source of minor irritation. The boss grates in a different but equally persistent way. Character after character reveals themselves to be primarily self-serving or annoyingly ingratiating, and the cumulative effect is something close to exhaustion. I found it difficult to care what happened to any of them. Thankfully, there are at least two bright spots. Young Penny is the one character in the book who inspires anything resembling joy or warmth. And the dog. Fritter manages to emerge with dignity intact, while leaving me a little sad that these people were all that poor dog had in its life. Best Offer Wins is not without its readable qualities, and Kashino's technical abilities suggest she is capable of better work. But a novel lives or dies on its characters, and this one is populated almost entirely by people you would cross the street to avoid. Mediocre in ambition and frustrating in execution, it is the kind of read that leaves you grateful, at least, that it did not last longer. Thank Heavens for that dog.

Such a strange topic to write a book about

This book was an absolute ROLLER COASTER. Page turner. Couldn’t put it down. Made my heart pound. Crazy little plot twists as the story progresses. You can literally feel the frustration of the main character.

I love a good unhinged main-character. I read 75% of this book in 1 sitting. Just wow. Fun read!

Super unhinged, I love a messy woman.