Kittentits' narrator is so unreliable, this story dips into magical realism. Molly is an inadequately supervised 10-year-old who imagines herself to be tougher than she is, talks to ghosts, and uses far more blue language than seems plausible. But, for all we know being a 10-year-old girl is another figment of Molly's imagination.

I read some other reviews before listening to this book, and the consensus seems to be you either love it or you hate it. It's a crazy book, and anyone that expects a straight line from A to B in storytelling will not enjoy this book. But if you like to suspend belief and pivot expectations, you'll love it.

I realize this book was set in an era where many terms were used that are now taboo, but I could've done without the constant use of the term r****d.

Great audio narration.

A fever dream is putting it mildly. You’ll either love it or hate it. The narrator did a good job sounding like a crazed 10 yr old.

What an absolutely crazy, unhinged book!
Wild from start to finish, I love reading about women embracing their insanity.

*3.5 stars*

This was, a ride. Molly is a gross, angry little ten year old navigating adolescence, grief, loneliness and ghosts. It is messy, confusing , and funny.

I’m not really sure what the point of having part of the setting be the 1992 Chicago worlds faire that never took place because it was canceled in 1984. That part confused me, but it was a weird fever dream kind of setting that worked for the story.

The audio was great, I thought the narrator was able to portray a ten year old without it coming out grating.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

Voicey, sassy, brassy, and full of big feelings and huge magic, Kittentits will steal your heart. Highly recommended.

This book is truly the embodiment of no plot, just vibes. I have no idea what I think about it at this point (LOL). At no point did I know where it was going and I still don't know where it ended up. I need some time to think about it and then I will update - maybe.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dreamscape Select for this very memorable and strange ride of an audiobook!

What a ride this was! one of the strangest stories I've read but I couldn't out it down. I loved that it was so far-fetched in the most entertaining way.

This was a wild ride! 10 year old Molly is a foul-mouthed spitfire, living a lonely untraditional life with missionaries in a halfway house for those down on their luck.

Molly sees ghosts, seeks love and friendship and curses badly as she makes terrible choices and pursues wild quests trying to prove herself, assuage her guilt and resurrect her mother’s ghost.

This book reminded me of CJ Leede’s Maeve Fly and Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe, with a dash of Rober McCammon’s Deep South, three absolute faves of mine.

Kittentits is feral and ferocious, heart-breaking and hysterical, I laughed out loud and bawled. A coming of age novel like none other I have ever read, and I will be thinking about Molly for a long time.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC (in audiobook format).

“Kittentits” is a literary rollercoaster that defies convention, leaving readers both exhilarated and slightly disoriented. Holly Wilson’s debut novel catapults us into the quirky world of Molly Sibly, a precocious 10-year-old navigating the chaos of the 1992 World’s Fair in Chicago.

From the outset, Molly’s voice grabs you by the collar and drags you along for the ride. She’s unapologetically candid, her language as colorful as the midway attractions. But don’t be fooled by the whimsical title—this book isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re easily offended, consider yourself warned (however, if you are easily offended, I doubt you would have selected a book titled "Kittentits").

The story unfolds within the walls of the “House of Friends,” a dilapidated Quaker co-op where Molly resides with her once-blind puppeteer father (whose eyesight miraculously returned after a house fire), a community-gardening evangelist named Evelyn, and the ghost of Sister Regina (who perished in the same fire). Oh, and let’s not forget Jeanie—the ex-con fresh out of prison, assigned to live in the co-op as part of her halfway house program.

Molly’s goals are clear: befriend the crass and captivating Jeanie, meet her elusive pen pal Demarcus in person, and experience the World’s Fair with her newfound friends. But there’s a twist—Molly also seeks to open a spiritual portal and connect with her deceased mother’s ghost. Yes, you read that right. The novel’s surrealism is best enjoyed without questioning its plausibility.

Wilson’s artistry lies in her supporting characters. Evelyn’s unwavering faith, Jeanie’s unfiltered audacity, and Sister Regina’s spectral wisdom—all resonate with universal experiences of trust, friendship, love, and loss. Their improbable backstories become touchstones for our own yearnings.

Yet, amidst the absurdity, Molly’s desperate need to be seen as more than a child tugs at our hearts. Her longing for connection, her defiance against societal norms, and her quest for meaning—all collide in a cacophony of emotions.

The profanity and crudeness are deliberate choices, reflecting Molly’s determination to be purposefully objectionable. But it’s the moments of vulnerability that truly pierce through the chaos. When Molly grapples with her mother’s absence, we glimpse the raw ache beneath the bravado.

Stephanie Willing’s narration adds depth to Molly’s character. Her voice captures the innocence, the rebellion, and the wonder of a girl on the cusp of adolescence. Willing’s performance is a tour de force, making the audiobook an immersive experience.

Kittentits is a comet ripping through a Walmart, a carnival ride launching into the sun. It’s unforgettable, deranged, and utterly original. So, if you’re ready to embrace the bizarre, buckle up and join Molly on her wild journey. Just remember: this isn’t your typical coming-of-age tale—it’s a kaleidoscope of irreverence and heart.

Honestly a bit relieved this was archived before I could finish it. I THINK I understand what the author was trying to do here, and perhaps she just achieved it too well for my taste, but I couldn't stomach the slurs, even if for the sake of realism. I LOVE novels written for adults with child/teen protagonists, especially when they are unique or unreliable narrators, but this one was just missed the mark for me.

3.5 rounded up

Kittentits follows Molly, a 10 year old girl in 1991 who is on a journey to find friends, become more sure of herself, and find adventure. She meets criminals and ghosts along the way as she tries to figure out how she wants to live her life.

This story is a wild ride with depictions of abuse and includes outdated and now offensive language - fyi to those who are more sensitive to that subject matter.

This book was at times fantastical, crass, and quirky but was overall a fun time. I particularly enjoyed the audiobook narrator who fit Molly’s voice well!

I would not recommend this book to all readers, but think those who enjoy books like Gillian Flynn’s The Grownup and CJ Leede’s Maeve Fly would also find this a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Gillian Flynn Books for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Another absolutely absurd book that I am obsessed with. My heart broke for Molly, our FMC, and disliked her at the same time. When you get her whole story, it makes you see everything different. Freakiiiiing loved this book but be prepared for a lot of rude and unsavory language. Also the audio was just ✨perfection✨

It seems that the things that other people complained about in reviews were the things I really enjoyed about this book. Kittentits is a wild exploration of grief 10-year-old Molly can see ghosts -- she's not getting the recovery and support she needs after the death of her mother and she goes on a wild adventure to get what she needs.
I listened to the audiobook, and I loved Molly. No, she doesn't act like a regular 10-year-old, but I believed in and loved her character. The narrator pulled her off, too, and I was along for the ride. Funny, touching, and heartbreaking. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this

Kittentits by Holly Wilson and narrated by Stephanie Willing is a unique experience, and author experimenting with pushing boundaries to create an existential narrative through the eyes of a 10 year old girl dealing with trauma and loss

This is not an audiobook for the faint hearted, but if you can get past the first chapter, it is a unique experience that emulates the writing style of Hunter S Thompson but in the narrative of the new generation of readers. It is certainly focussed on the New Adult audience and I have to say, probably better suited to older readers in this group, just because of the brackish narrative and difficult subject matter

There are themes which may turn people off this book, maybe some that will shock, but as I said, it is a worthwhile experience to give it a chance as it is existential, experiential and experimental. Truly one of a kind

Likewise, the narration is fantastic. Stephanie Willing does a great job for exactly the same reasons as I have described and her vocal timbre settled in more and more as the book goes on

Intriguing, fascinating, and certainly a unique listen, perfect if you want to push the boundaries of fiction as you know it. Is it my usual jam? No. But I don't hate it, it makes you think, gives a perspective and most of all, a narrative in the eyes of another

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Select, the author Holy Wilson and the narrator Stephanie Willing for this fascinating ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

⛧Kittentits by Holly Wilson - I am unsure what to rate this. I have absolutely no idea what the plot was. This book had zero plot, only vibes. And the tampon scene in the first few pages? What? Am I on mushrooms? Hmmm, maybe mushrooms would be a good idea while reading this trippy book. 🤷‍♀️

*WHY DID A TAMPON AD POP UP ON YOUTUBE WHILE I WAS WRITING THIS?!*

This audiobook is narrated by Stephanie Willing

•Thank you to @dreamscape_media & @zandoprojects

This was chaotically unhinged in the best way possible. I kept asking myself “what is happening??” during every chapter and am still not quite sure of exactly what I read! 😹

That’s it - that’s the review. Kittentits melted my brain and I enjoyed the ride 😹

Thank you so much Gillian Flynn Books for the gifted copy!

Super fucking ridiculous and amazing, this insightful look at trauma and loss through the eyes of a magical and maniacal 10-year old is an emotional roller coaster. From laugh out loud shenanigans to gut wrenching emotional pain, you won’t know what’s coming! I think you’ll love the irreverence, the nonstop action and the beautiful tragedy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This was such a ride! It was hilarious and crazy but had some heart. I loved the chaos and seeing the world through the eyes of the ten-year-old. The narrator was great! She made the book even better! This was a fun, unique read!

Kittentits reminds me how cool I thought I was at 10 years old and how as an adult I can realize I was so so so delusional in that belief. I do love how the author captured the spirit of a 10 year old. They didn't try to make her seem more sophisticated or knowledgeable. The offensive language used isn't done for shock value, it's done purely in the way of a kid who read or heard people talking like this and thought she would be cool saying it too even though she has no idea what she is saying, so typical kid behavior. This is 1st POV so the entire mystery of a story that is unfolded is told like a kid who is very excited to be apart of something and probably had to much candy, which actually makes for a very interesting read.

This is one of the weirdest things I've ever read, but I kind of loved it. The narrator reminded me of Amy Poehler in the best of ways.