“In his witty and thought-provoking manner, Mark Twain once famously said, ‘It’s no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.’” https://www.socratic-method.com
Sometimes, though, truth is not stranger than fiction. And thankfully, sometimes truth is kinder than fiction, too. Recently a friend and I had both just finished books that bothered us in various ways, which isn’t to say books shouldn’t bother us—it’s quite often important that they do—it was just that in the case of these books, the way we’d been bothered had less to do with subject matter and more to do with the marketing expectation that readers would respond positively to the various dastardly deeds of the protagonists, and that, indeed, there did seem to be plenty of readers out there who backed up that claim—readers who “loved” these books (and so maybe by extension that means they loved the protagonists? Maybe?).
I don’t remember the title of the book my friend was referring to; she said it was something about killers who were in love and only killed bad people—sounded like a Dexter type theme, and I know that was a highly watched television series, so I guess there’s an audience for that. I can’t claim to be someone who is above consuming questionable content. I’ve read hundreds of books in most genres and not all of them have been particularly elevating. That said, I have seldom read a novel with a less likable protagonist than the one Marisa Kashino gives us in Best Offer Wins (With the possible exception of Humbert Humbert, the protagonist/narrator of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita).
Best Offer Wins is a Good Morning America Book Club Pick and was published by Celadon Books in 2025. From the book jacket: “…Margo will prove again and again that there’s no boundary she won’t cross to seize the dream life she’s been chasing. The most unsettling part? You’ll root for her, even as you gasp in disbelief.”
Uh. No. But let me take you back to the reason I read that blurb and took the bait. Coincidentally, on the same day my husband and I were submitting a bid on a house we wanted, Marisa Kashino’s thriller about a woman who will stop at nothing to get her dream house came across my desk at the library. It was a new purchase, and my job was to catalog it and get it ready for patron check-outs. I joked with my realtor that I hoped I wouldn’t become as obsessed with home buying as the teaser on the book jacket hinted the book’s protagonist, Margo, did.
Truth being, in this case anyway, less strange than fiction, I didn’t. Thank goodness. But I did check the book out and take it home to read over the weekend. I’m not normally inspired to write reviews about books I don’t like, but there’s something about this one that pushes me. What that tells me is that I did find it engaging, at least enough to finish it, but that, also, it troubled me. I think I kept reading to see if it would be possible to “root for her even as [I] gasped in disbelief.”
That stage never arrived. The backstory on Margo did indicate she’d had very tough breaks, enough of them, too, and that would normally soften a reader’s judgement and bring her to life in a way that would help the reader to care about her, but Margo’s behavior was so egregious that she remained not only unlikable, but monstrous. And I don’t mean monstrous in the sad way that Frankenstein was a monster because he was a victim and you felt sorry for him. Margo’s kind of monstrous is the carefully calculated kind that lacks any hint of personal responsibility or remorse.
I’m not sure what it says about me that I read the whole book anyway, and that gives me pause. I think perhaps my weird fascination with the book represents a part of contemporary America to me that I don’t understand and cannot accept, but that I still keep trying to fathom. I want people to have homes. I want people to care for each other. I want to love my neighbors as myself.
Each turn of the page offered hope, however slight, that Margo would learn some kind of moral lesson or would offer her a kernal of insight, forgiveness, or redemption, but in the end, there was none. No tenderness. No justice. Just a sad expose of a society where dreams can become as dangerous as despair, and the only thing that matters is the win.
In that way, the book is a success, I guess. A pretty good satire. Excellent social criticism, and social criticism is very much in order these days in my opinion. With Best Offer Wins out of the way, I’m happy to announce that Mr. P and I purchased a delightful home in the beautiful UP—the upper peninsula—in the lovely U.S. state of Michigan. We will be off to a new chapter there soon and leaving the awe-inspiring West and central Nevada behind with love for all we’ve learned and the friendships we treasure. By the way, we accomplished the purchase of the Michigan house without any nefarious activities nor bidding war mayhem. Sometimes, you see, truth is not stranger than fiction, and sometimes it is kinder.
Wishing you all happy days and cozy nights as we move through February and into March. Be Well!
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
congratulations on the new place! i bet the UP will provide so much inspiration for you. i can’t even imagine how much wildlife and beauty I’d see up there.
I’ve heard of the book. great review. i do also believe it’s a valid mirror of what we see in today’s society – right down to the very ending where she’s forced to take what she gets.
perhaps she would have been better off purchasing a house in the beautiful countryside to begin with. Mike
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Thanks so much, Mike! I’m very excited about the new explorations ahead! So much to learn and see and do. Can’t wait to read about your new adventures as well! Lori
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Yay, congratulations, Lori! So happy for you and Mr. P. 😊 I hope the move goes well and you enjoy the beautiful house and surroundings. The picture looks great—even reminds me a bit of our Seattle area forests and lakes. In any case, so glad the house hunting is over and now you’re ready to embark on your next adventure. Looking forward to reading more about it as you settle in.
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Thank you, Roxana. I think the UP will provide inspiration, and you are right—there is a little something of the Pacific Northwest in the northern Midwest. So much water and so many trees to love. 💕 🥰
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Congratulations on your new home! I’m so happy for you. The photo of the UP looks amazing.
I am so glad to read this review. I haven’t read this book, but I read a lot of books that are highly recommended, and sometimes I end up disappointed. After reading so many positive reviews, I start to wonder if something is wrong with me? I’m glad to find someone that can just be honest in their own opinion, regardless of what everyone else thinks. …. And I’m getting tired of the genre that’s trying to make bad behavior acceptable.
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Thank you, Rose! I really like to hear opinions about books, too. It’s great to hear what your reader friends think! I appreciate your congratulations on our new move to the UP, also! We have some exciting work ahead of us. 🤓
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It is hard to root for protagonists who have little in the way of redeeming qualities, but I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself for finishing the book. Of course, you were probably waiting for the moment when the character suddenly finds morality. If that didn’t happen, at least one would expect that, in the end, she would face some consequences for her evil ways. In a perfect world, that would happen. It would also bother me to be lured into purchasing a book based on some false promises. I also have stuck with stories, waiting for something that never came.
Best of luck with the new home and new adventures.
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Thank you, Pete! I’m looking forward to reading something kinder or more meaningful next for sure! And getting busy with moving!
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Hi. Here’s to your new home!
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Hi! Thanks so much for your kind wishes, and cheers!🥂
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Congratulations on your new home! That’s awesome.
I can understand why you’d keep reading. I’d hope that the protagonist would learn something too — and feel the let down when the redemption didn’t happen.
Thank goodness for your kindness and understanding that it is more important than the win!
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Thank you for your congratulations, Wynne! We are really starting to get excited. I so appreciate you and your writing and your goodness—you bring joy to all of us!
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A good review of a “bad” book. And you’ve saved me from the need to read it. 🙂
Congratulations on the new house!
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Thank you, JeanMarie! I hate to think I have stopped you from reading it- in case you may have liked it (plus I don’t ever want to take anything away from another writer- I well know how difficult it is to get published). That said, thanks for reading and being part of the conversation! I truly appreciate it. 💕
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Hey, you’re going to be a Yooper, congratulations!
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Hi, Marie! Yes! I never expected to be a Yooper, but now I quite like the idea! 😁💕😁
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There’s at least one writing group in the area after you’re done unpacking!
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Oh that’s exciting news, Marie!😻
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As one who dumps a book for killing of a dog or horse, I probably won’t pick this one up! Glad you found a perfect home!
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Ha! I am with you there, Jacqui. I will not read or watch anything if animal abuse happens. This particular book did have a charming dog in it that was not hurt- maybe that kept me going!💛
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I’ve always liked that Mark Twain quote. There are times when I write a story and I know it won’t be accepted by agent/publisher/magazine because they’ll say “it’s too unbelievable” even though it’s true! Sometimes I have to tame down the non-fiction, which is a shame.
Thanks for warning us of the book. I will not continue a book (or TV show/movie) in which I don’t like at least one of the characters. But I get that you kept on hoping someone would turn up. 🙂 Congrats on your move and new home.
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It is a shame, I agree, that sometimes you have to “tame down the nonfiction.” For goodness sake! And isn’t it true that many wonderful books feature all sorts of unbelievable, yet still entrancing scenes? I love it that you write those stories anyway!
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Yes – don’t let anyone stop our creativity!!! 🙂
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Write On! 👍
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Congratulations on your new home in the UP…around here we still call it ‘God’s country’. So happy for you! And I smiled when I read this about “Best Offer Wins”:
“I’m not sure what it says about me that I read the whole book anyway, and that gives me pause.”
Might’ve given you pause but that mini confession made me smile. I can see you sticking with it – curious, but also instinctively thinking good thoughts, anticipating improvement.
Sending big hugs to you! 💝
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Thank you for the big hugs, Vicki, and I can’t wait to start reporting from “God’s country!” First, we’re off to a wedding in Arkansas, which will be beautiful, and from there… Yooper adventures await! 🤓 Big hugs to you!💕
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Safe travels…and enjoy! 😘❤️😘
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🥰💕🥰
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Wow! A new life adventure. I’m envious. Addicted to moving but running out of decades.
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I hear that, Gloria! This may be our last big move!
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Congratulations on the new home! A good friend of mine is from the U.P. of Michigan. A beautiful place! Thanks for telling it like it is with the book review. If a book is unsettling, and the advertising doesn’t quite match that, it’s good and honest to share that type of mismatch.
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Thank you, Christine! I can’t quite believe that it’s real yet! Looking forward to exploring the area and fixing up our new / old home, and taking photos and writing about all of it. I won’t be too far from my hometown, Kenosha, or from my beloved Minnesota where I attended junior and senior high schools. I have a lot to learn about Michigan though!
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Congratulations on your new home, and welcome back to the Midwest.
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Thank you, Edward! It’s very exciting!
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You’re very welcome. Good timing, right before spring starts.
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That’s going to be amazing. Can’t wait to see all the trees bud out, etc. –And find out what perennials live in our new yard!
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Congratulations on the new home! I hope it and the landscape of the UP brings you lots of joy and creativity. And thanks for warning me about this book. I’ll pass.
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Thanks so much, Nita! I am expecting to be stunned by the huge change of climate and vegetation. I can’t wait to meet all the new rivers and lakes and plants and trees—and the Yoopers!
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Congrats on the house purchase in Michigan, which is sorta close to Minnesota. And thanks for the book review. Now I want to read, just to see how I feel.
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Thanks, Audrey! I was hoping for a house in Minnesota, but as you say, I will be sorta close! Lots of good weekend trips to come! Let me know what you think if you read the book. 🤓
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Your review has increased my interest in the book. There must be something in it that enabled you to finish reading the book. The Upper Peninsula picture is fantastic ! Wishing you a memorable life in this paradise ! Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Nice to meet you!
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Perfect article.
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Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Congratulations on your new home 💐. Your article subtly points to the bizarre things happening around us. I liked reading it.
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Thank you, Surabhi. It’s so kind of you to read and comment. I appreciate you!
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love the art!
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Thank you, Alan.
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This reflection beautifully connects Mark Twain’s quote to modern storytelling and moral discomfort. It’s refreshing to see someone acknowledge how fiction can disturb us not just emotionally, but ethically, especially when protagonists lack remorse or growth.
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Thank you, Isioma. I’m so glad to hear your thoughts about this! I really appreciate it.
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Love this quote! What is realistic anyway
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Good point!
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Hello i like this thing.
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Thank you!
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nice one
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Thank you!
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You indeed captured something important about how modern fiction sometimes pushes readers to sympathize with characters whose actions feel impossible to justify.
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Thank you! I’m not always so … I don’t know… maybe judgmental? But this one offered nothing redeeming.
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