Bad Marie

Bad Marie. Impulsive Marie. Irresponsible Marie.

Marie gets out of prison after serving six years for shacking up with a bank robber in Mexico. Her childhood friend, Ellen, gives her a job as a live-in nanny to her toddler daughter, Caitlin. The events in the story start three weeks after Marie has been released from prison. It's a character-driven novel. A little more psychological and less noir than I was expecting.

The author never diagnoses Marie with any particular issue, leaving it open for the reader. Marie is not capable of making plans for the future or taking responsibility for her immediate future. Her existence hinges on taking what she needs from whomever is available to use. Want. Take. Have.

Yet, as a reader I found myself on Marie's side. It is told from her point of view (third person) and I root for her to get what she needs and not get caught. Yes, she does bad things. Most of the second half of the plot revolves around her committing a protracted felony. From Marie's view, none of the people she interacts with (and takes from) are all that wonderful either. Her friend Ellen, for instance, is an icy, privileged, workaholic who neglects her daughter. Ellen's husband is a sex addict, plagiarist and all around loser.

Marie's relationship to Ellen is an interesting one. Marie views them as opposites, seeing Ellen as entitled, “hard and inflexible.” From a certain view that is true. Ellen grew up rich, got the right education which enabled her to get the right job and have the life we're all supposed to desire. She certainly wouldn't risk it over an unstable friend who can't give anything in return.

Marie is also entitled; she thinks everything she sees is hers to take since she is not one of the fortunate ones. There is no anger or vindictiveness in Marie's tendency to grab what she wants; that would involve deep thought.

The author doesn't spend too much time on Marie's childhood; she doesn't aim for sympathy with tales of abuse, though Marie's mother clearly is a cold fish. One thing that we know comes from Ellen and that's that Marie hung around her house for what she could get out of it: fancy snacks and access to the pool. She never actually liked Ellen. Marie's selfishness and greed has been with her all her life; she's never been grateful to those she sees as unfairly having more than her, even when they share it.

Marie's love for Ellen's daughter Caitlin could be interpreted as the thing that makes her redeemable. She adores the toddler and sees to her needs, though she does endanger her a couple of times as well. I can see her affection coming from their similarity. A toddler is only interested in their immediate wants and needs and does not think of future consequences. Marie finds her easy and fun to be with, since they are so much alike. Want. Take. Have. Caitlin is not going to make any demands on Marie, outside of the moment. She doesn't pose the challenges and complications of adult relationships.

It's a short book but there's a lot going on. Dermansky has a wonderful, economical writing style that puts you right in the mindset of her protagonist.