What do you think?
Rate this book
Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass & Purveyor of Fine Footwear
Winner of the 2020 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour! Aspiring novelist Molly MacGregor's life is strikingly different from a literary heroine's. Named for one of literature's least romantic protagonists, Moll Flanders, Molly lives in Edmonton, a city she finds irredeemably unromantic, where she writes university term papers instead of novels, and sells shoes in the Largest Mall on Earth. There she seeks the other half of her young life's own matched pair. Delightfully whimsical, Heidi L.M. Jacobs' Molly of the Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear explores its namesake's love for the written word, love for the wrong men (and the right one), and her complicated love for her city.
282 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2019
22 people are currently reading
985 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Want to read
April 16, 2022found out about this from emmie’s april tbr video and i have to say is bitch… is this fucking play about us??? getting my hands on this asap
October 10, 2019
Very funny (in a lit. nerd way -- the best way). Made me nostalgic for Edmonton and for university, but not for WEM. That mall is the worst place ever. Sometimes leans too heavily on source material (and by leans, I mean, directly quoting from), but, that might actually get "the young people" interested in picking up those books, so... Great narrative voice.
September 16, 2020
This was sweet! And funny and quirky, and definitely for the lover of the English Lit canon. And particularly for the works of Miss Austen, which the main character, Molly, or Moll as she's known by her family, uses for comfort and for analyzing her own experiences with life.
It's 1995 in Edmonton, and Moll has begin work at the West Edmonton Mall, which I've never seen but have heard lots about. She's working at a higher end shoe store, and spends the summer convincing to buy polish and protector on the various people who buy shoes at the store. She's also, without realizing it, falling without realizing it for her older sister's former boyfriend, Mark, with whom she has a really great friendship. Then summer's over, and she starts university in, what else, English Lit.
We get fantastic deconstructions of various poets' and writers' works, as well as examples of papers Moll writes for classes. This should be boring, but I kept laughing out loud as Moll manages to analyze the novels in each course's syllabus in a variety of amusing and intriguing ways, garnering herself some decent marks.
Meanwhile, she gushes about the books she's reading for fun and comfort, and relays the conversations she has with Penguin Man (he likes to read books published by Penguin, and is a pianist at the hotel at the mall) and with Mark.
It's clear what's going on in Moll's head regarding Mark, even though it takes much of the book for her to realize it. Meanwhile, we're treated to many funny digressions into various characters' experiences (if you enjoy reading and analyzing the classics).
As you can tell, I enjoyed this a lot, and appreciated the many amusing ways Moll saw her world and those around her. Plus, the sheer Canadianness of the book made me happy.
It's 1995 in Edmonton, and Moll has begin work at the West Edmonton Mall, which I've never seen but have heard lots about. She's working at a higher end shoe store, and spends the summer convincing to buy polish and protector on the various people who buy shoes at the store. She's also, without realizing it, falling without realizing it for her older sister's former boyfriend, Mark, with whom she has a really great friendship. Then summer's over, and she starts university in, what else, English Lit.
We get fantastic deconstructions of various poets' and writers' works, as well as examples of papers Moll writes for classes. This should be boring, but I kept laughing out loud as Moll manages to analyze the novels in each course's syllabus in a variety of amusing and intriguing ways, garnering herself some decent marks.
Meanwhile, she gushes about the books she's reading for fun and comfort, and relays the conversations she has with Penguin Man (he likes to read books published by Penguin, and is a pianist at the hotel at the mall) and with Mark.
It's clear what's going on in Moll's head regarding Mark, even though it takes much of the book for her to realize it. Meanwhile, we're treated to many funny digressions into various characters' experiences (if you enjoy reading and analyzing the classics).
As you can tell, I enjoyed this a lot, and appreciated the many amusing ways Moll saw her world and those around her. Plus, the sheer Canadianness of the book made me happy.
November 11, 2019
Ok I loved this book. Now I admit I probably have a biased. I also went the the university of Alberta in Edmonton in the 1990s. I too worked at west Edmonton Mall, and hung out on Whyte Ave and drank a lot of dark roast at Java Jive.
But the book was more than all those familiar places and experiences. I loved the deep dive into English literature ( and I was a science major and avoided English courses like the plague) the hilarious clips from essays and professors feedback, the constant yearning for Austen to give advise. It was a fun, enjoyable read, with an intelligent, funny protagonist. I may not be an English student, but I appreciate a good entertaining geekout. This delivered in spades.
But the book was more than all those familiar places and experiences. I loved the deep dive into English literature ( and I was a science major and avoided English courses like the plague) the hilarious clips from essays and professors feedback, the constant yearning for Austen to give advise. It was a fun, enjoyable read, with an intelligent, funny protagonist. I may not be an English student, but I appreciate a good entertaining geekout. This delivered in spades.
December 21, 2020
Apparently this book won the Stephen Leacock medal for humour this year and while it is mildly amusing in parts it doesn't stand up well against most previous winners. It is more of a Romance story than anything. I really wanted to like this book. The author is a librarian (moi aussi), originally from Edmonton (I lived there for fourteen years) who attended the University of Alberta (ditto). Molly of the Mall tells the tale of a young woman, daughter of academics who is an English undergrad at the U of A and working as a shoe salesperson in "the mall" (one presumes THE mall, West Ed) during her summers off. Jacob's sketches of some of the shoe store staff and some of the English department faculty are quite well done but I just skimmed most of her assignments and passages from literature. Jacobs probably went a bit a too deep a few times for those of us with only a passing interest in nineteenth century English literature. Tighter editing and a clearer vision of her audience may have helped.
July 17, 2020
Author Heidi Jacobs is an English and History Professor at the University of Windsor in my neck of the woods. This is a great book for me on so many fronts and all my reader fans who love Classics will love this easy read where everything she does has an analogy to a well known Penquin Classic. In fact, Molly’s siblings all were named from book characters in the classics that she mentions in the book.
If you are a current lover of Austen, you will love this book, if you have not read any Austen but want to, you may find this book has spoilers.
If you are a lover of Robbie Burns you will love this book, Molly and her dad tell wonderful stories about their family traditions.
You will also like this book if you are familiar with James McIntyre, a Scottish born, Canadian poet who became known as The Cheesiest Poet.
Another book often mentioned was Moll Flanders , Molly’s namesake, a book written in the 1700’s by Daniel Defoe, author of the famous Robinson Crusoe.
So to sum up, all classic book lovers will adore this quick and fun read.
June 25, 2020
OHMYHEART.
A Canadian novel, about an English major, who loves Jane Austen and Penguin Classics in general....I didn't stand a chance against this one. Molly of the Mall is a brilliant, clever, witty, funny (for book needs), lovely, and endearing literary gem. It's like chick-lit, but it's not. This novel is uniquely both classic and modern (I mean, as modern as the 90's) and I love everything about it.
A Canadian novel, about an English major, who loves Jane Austen and Penguin Classics in general....I didn't stand a chance against this one. Molly of the Mall is a brilliant, clever, witty, funny (for book needs), lovely, and endearing literary gem. It's like chick-lit, but it's not. This novel is uniquely both classic and modern (I mean, as modern as the 90's) and I love everything about it.
October 7, 2019
The sophistication of Jane Austen with the humour and relatability of Bridget Jones, and the starry-eyed romanticness of both. That's this book. A delight from first to last page. Five well-deserved stars.
August 25, 2019
I loved this! Wry and funny and unapologetically Canadian. Recommended for other book nerds who must toil in unromantic settings as they contemplate who might turn out to be their Mr. Darcy.
May 24, 2023
I heard about this book when it won the Leacock Medal Award, which recognizes excellence in Canadian literary humour. I was in the mood for something funny and decided to give it a go. There are some amusing moments, but overall found this to be a sweet book with a charming protagonist. Books about books are an easy sell for me as well!
October 14, 2020
I've been reading some heavy books lately, so I enjoyed this lighthearted tale of a student and shoe salesgirl at West Edmonton Mall. Especially fun if you're familiar with Edmonton and the University of Alberta.
April 22, 2023
this actually ended up being really charming! 3.75
May 30, 2021
What a great read!
I will look at mall workers in a whole new way.
I think I am missing out by not reading Emma and all other Jane Austen books.
I will look at mall workers in a whole new way.
I think I am missing out by not reading Emma and all other Jane Austen books.
October 31, 2021
Love this book. It is witty, intelligent and very Canadian. Molly is an English major at the University of Alberta. She is from an academic family and developed a love for the classics early. We follow Molly for a year and see her thoughts and dreams in the book. I love her lists….particularly the list for the gothic bodice-ripper to take place in Saskatchewan
A delightful read.
A delightful read.
April 25, 2021
AO3 Tags: #Canadiana, #University, #LiteraryHeroines, #AustenReferences
Prose was a bit slow and clunky, and there doesn't seem to be much plot... but as someone who once accidentally walked into a trashcan while lost in reverie about the moors of 'Wuthering Heights', I really identified with the protagonist, and her attempts to understand the English literary tradition in a Canadian context.
Quotes:
'Standing in front of these novels, these old friends and new friends, I felt a swell of tears, and suddenly realized how tired I was. I was tired in ways sleep would not cure... I was tired of reading about places I would never go... I was tired of the sameness of every day...'
--Bless you, Heidi Jacobs, for writing about normal working class women.
'He gave me a glance that said, "I pay attention to posted signs and placards that tell me not to reshelve library books," and I reciprocated with a look thaat says, "I find your adherence to library etiquette very alluring." Immediately, we understood we were both very good library citizens and that added to the mutual attraction.'
--pg. 119
Prose was a bit slow and clunky, and there doesn't seem to be much plot... but as someone who once accidentally walked into a trashcan while lost in reverie about the moors of 'Wuthering Heights', I really identified with the protagonist, and her attempts to understand the English literary tradition in a Canadian context.
Quotes:
'Standing in front of these novels, these old friends and new friends, I felt a swell of tears, and suddenly realized how tired I was. I was tired in ways sleep would not cure... I was tired of reading about places I would never go... I was tired of the sameness of every day...'
--Bless you, Heidi Jacobs, for writing about normal working class women.
'He gave me a glance that said, "I pay attention to posted signs and placards that tell me not to reshelve library books," and I reciprocated with a look thaat says, "I find your adherence to library etiquette very alluring." Immediately, we understood we were both very good library citizens and that added to the mutual attraction.'
--pg. 119
September 9, 2019
Isn't this a great title for a book? Molly is an English Major at the university in Edmonton, has academic parents and a job selling shoes at the largest mall in the world. She's also obsessed with classic novels, Jane Austen in particular.
Molly at the Mall resonated with me for several reasons. First, the book is both funny and heartwarming. Second, I feel that Molly and I would have been friends. (Did we perhaps sit across from each other at the food court, trying to get through another lit class's required reading during our break from torturous mall retail?)
Molly is a great character. She's insecure, funny, and smart, with a little dose of rebellion. I loved her unique relationship with the characters in the classic books that she loves.
Molly at the Mall resonated with me for several reasons. First, the book is both funny and heartwarming. Second, I feel that Molly and I would have been friends. (Did we perhaps sit across from each other at the food court, trying to get through another lit class's required reading during our break from torturous mall retail?)
Molly is a great character. She's insecure, funny, and smart, with a little dose of rebellion. I loved her unique relationship with the characters in the classic books that she loves.
July 3, 2019
If you have ever worked in retail, endured a Canadian winter in a big city, and/ or held inner conversations with long dead authors, you will find a lot to love about Molly of the Mall!
The narrator is so charming and funny, and the writing is down to earth, confident, and wise.
It evoked the specificity of being a university student with a part time job, finding a way through life, love, and family.
Can't wait to see more from this amazing author!
The narrator is so charming and funny, and the writing is down to earth, confident, and wise.
It evoked the specificity of being a university student with a part time job, finding a way through life, love, and family.
Can't wait to see more from this amazing author!
July 30, 2019
For recovering English students!! OMG, I loved this book--it's smart and funny. So many recognizable moments from my undergrad, even little chunks of essays. SO RELATABLE. Also relatable as a former retail worker. And as the daughter of two academics. It is possible this book was written for me. I LOVED IT. But I think other people who were less exactly like the protagonist would also really like this book. Very recommended. Delightful!
January 25, 2021
I loved this book. I loved how it took place in Edmonton and that the main character Molly has a complicated feelings for Edmonton not unlike my own. I love how she described the ennui of working a summer job (although thankfully I’ve never had to work retail). I loved how easily I could relate to the feeling of being in an undergrad seminar and wondering how everyone around me seems to have a deep understanding of what is being discussed except me. I loved Molly’s relationship with her parents. I loved how Molly reminded me of a character from one of my favourite book series as a teen. I loved Molly wit and intelligence. Did I mention already that I loved this book?!?
The only thing that could have made my experience reading this better would have been having previous knowledge/ interest in literary classics. Also I’m not sure why this book was given a “romance” sticker from my library. Yes there were romantic interests, but not enough that I felt it warranted this classification.
The only thing that could have made my experience reading this better would have been having previous knowledge/ interest in literary classics. Also I’m not sure why this book was given a “romance” sticker from my library. Yes there were romantic interests, but not enough that I felt it warranted this classification.
July 10, 2022
This was a fun story, told mainly in the form of what sound a bit like first-person diary entries, from the perspective of an early-20-some woman who works a seasonal job at a shoe store in Canada's largest shopping mall.
What made this especially entertaining for me--aside from its primary setting--was the slew of literary references. The narrator is a literature professor's daughter and is obsessed with Jane Austen. Her brother's name is Heathcliff, and her sister's name is Tess (if that tells you anything).
And she LOVES Penguin Classics!
The conflicts in this story, such as they are, are relatively mild. Typical young adult angst, combined with the stresses of working in retail. But honestly, I was fine with this. You don't always need guns, kidnappings, battle scenes, and the like.
Sometimes, it's nice to just relax with a story that makes you feel good, and this certainly did that for me.
What made this especially entertaining for me--aside from its primary setting--was the slew of literary references. The narrator is a literature professor's daughter and is obsessed with Jane Austen. Her brother's name is Heathcliff, and her sister's name is Tess (if that tells you anything).
And she LOVES Penguin Classics!
The conflicts in this story, such as they are, are relatively mild. Typical young adult angst, combined with the stresses of working in retail. But honestly, I was fine with this. You don't always need guns, kidnappings, battle scenes, and the like.
Sometimes, it's nice to just relax with a story that makes you feel good, and this certainly did that for me.
May 11, 2023
"Style and comfort, no matter what they tell you, are parallel lines that never meet: they never have and the never will. You have to pick one. When asked my opinion on this matter, I always say, 'You can always recover from sore feet, but you can never recover from bad style.'"
This was fun and cute!! Sure it's cheesy, but it's fun and charming. I have never read a book set in Edmonton. It feels kind of special to visual and understand precisely where Molly is and what she is doing; I could, very clearly, follow the geography and landscape of the book-- her world is mine, too! It felt a little surreal reading about Whyte Ave, Jasper Ave, the North Saskatchewan, the University of Alberta; there were even scenes set in the humanities building. There is definitely something very intimate about reading a novel set at the university I went to, the mall I have gone to my entire life, and the city I know so well. I really enjoyed the WEM scenes. Love that she talks about Fantasyland, Galaxyland, the seals.
Jacobs captures a very familiar feeling shared by people who have grown up in Edmonton: that Edmonton sucks! Thought that was hilarious.
The audiobook was....not good. As soon as I switched over to a physical copy, I started to enjoy the book a lot more.
Like I said, the book has its faults, but it is still enjoyable. I didn't understand the point of the relationship between Molly and Penguin Man; it felt weird and empty and didn't serve a purpose. While I enjoyed the character of Molly at times, I also found that she was kind of "I'm not like other girls. I read Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf" which was cringe. I strongly believe that the book would work better as a movie, especially with all of the scenes where Molly's internal dialogue is talking to characters in Jane Austen's novels, or Austen herself. It would be hilarious to visually experience her imaginary conversations with these literary figures. I would LOVE to see that movie.
Overall, I'm glad I read Molly of the Mall :)
This was fun and cute!! Sure it's cheesy, but it's fun and charming. I have never read a book set in Edmonton. It feels kind of special to visual and understand precisely where Molly is and what she is doing; I could, very clearly, follow the geography and landscape of the book-- her world is mine, too! It felt a little surreal reading about Whyte Ave, Jasper Ave, the North Saskatchewan, the University of Alberta; there were even scenes set in the humanities building. There is definitely something very intimate about reading a novel set at the university I went to, the mall I have gone to my entire life, and the city I know so well. I really enjoyed the WEM scenes. Love that she talks about Fantasyland, Galaxyland, the seals.
Jacobs captures a very familiar feeling shared by people who have grown up in Edmonton: that Edmonton sucks! Thought that was hilarious.
The audiobook was....not good. As soon as I switched over to a physical copy, I started to enjoy the book a lot more.
Like I said, the book has its faults, but it is still enjoyable. I didn't understand the point of the relationship between Molly and Penguin Man; it felt weird and empty and didn't serve a purpose. While I enjoyed the character of Molly at times, I also found that she was kind of "I'm not like other girls. I read Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf" which was cringe. I strongly believe that the book would work better as a movie, especially with all of the scenes where Molly's internal dialogue is talking to characters in Jane Austen's novels, or Austen herself. It would be hilarious to visually experience her imaginary conversations with these literary figures. I would LOVE to see that movie.
Overall, I'm glad I read Molly of the Mall :)
August 31, 2023
At first I wasn't sold on Mark. I thought they worked well together but it weirded me out that he dated her sister, and the lingering feelings from that. Perhaps Rabid Pekingese would've been a good enemies-to-lovers/Darcy or even Penguin Man being a Colonel Brandon pick.
I obviously got over that when: "It's up to you whether I'm your Colonel Brandon or your Willoughby, your Mr Darcy, your Mr Knightly, or even your Mr Collins. But you need to know you're my Marianne Dashwood, my Elizabeth Bennet, my Emma Woodhouse, my Catherine Morland, my Fanny Price and my Anne Elliot."
And I know that's one of the last lines but well done Molly Mall.
I obviously got over that when: "It's up to you whether I'm your Colonel Brandon or your Willoughby, your Mr Darcy, your Mr Knightly, or even your Mr Collins. But you need to know you're my Marianne Dashwood, my Elizabeth Bennet, my Emma Woodhouse, my Catherine Morland, my Fanny Price and my Anne Elliot."
And I know that's one of the last lines but well done Molly Mall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2022
2.5
This book was very ok imo. It's light-hearted and as an avid reader, it was slightly amusing to hear what the MC had to say about the literature that she encountered in the story. You would probably enjoy this book more if you, like the MC, LOVE Victorian female authors, because there is a lot of talk about them. There is also a particular kind of humor that would perhaps be better appreciated by someone else.
This book was very ok imo. It's light-hearted and as an avid reader, it was slightly amusing to hear what the MC had to say about the literature that she encountered in the story. You would probably enjoy this book more if you, like the MC, LOVE Victorian female authors, because there is a lot of talk about them. There is also a particular kind of humor that would perhaps be better appreciated by someone else.
April 19, 2021
I loved this book. The author spins a great story through tiny day to day life and had me smiling and giggling throughout. She captured both the beauty and ridiculousness of my home province Alberta to a tee. I am now inspired to re-read all Jane Austen novels and feel shame for not owning a single copy. I am also extremely hungry for a carrot muffin.
September 12, 2023
Ryan and I listened to this together.
He says “it’s very sweet and feels like a prairie novel.”
I also liked the prairie-ness, 90s nostalgia, and the bookish nerdiness of the characters, though sometimes the rabbit holes went too far and I stopped caring briefly. I had a minor quibble with one plot point at the end but overall this was an enjoyable read.
He says “it’s very sweet and feels like a prairie novel.”
I also liked the prairie-ness, 90s nostalgia, and the bookish nerdiness of the characters, though sometimes the rabbit holes went too far and I stopped caring briefly. I had a minor quibble with one plot point at the end but overall this was an enjoyable read.
July 29, 2020
Delightfully charming...
April 27, 2020
I am so glad I read this! Very funny. Just what I needed. I picked this up because I'd seen it had been long-listed for the Leacock award for humour and I need some humour in my life these days. Also, I have met the author years ago and worked with her brother and I'm always prepared to give people I know a chance on my reading list.
This novel has elements of coming of age, campus novel, and romance. It is Canadian novel that pokes fun at the whole idea of Canadian literature. It is similar to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in that it's about a woman in her 20s who loves classic literature and is funny. However, the humour is also about working in retail, '90s pop music, the Canadian prairies, and the kind of campus novel popularised by David Lodge.
I highly recommend. Even if some of the jokes require knowledge you don't have, there are enough others to keep you entertained.
This novel has elements of coming of age, campus novel, and romance. It is Canadian novel that pokes fun at the whole idea of Canadian literature. It is similar to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill in that it's about a woman in her 20s who loves classic literature and is funny. However, the humour is also about working in retail, '90s pop music, the Canadian prairies, and the kind of campus novel popularised by David Lodge.
I highly recommend. Even if some of the jokes require knowledge you don't have, there are enough others to keep you entertained.
March 26, 2024
OHHHH MY GOSH! Okay I am going to try so hard not to spoil anything because this book was so lovely and I do want to yap about it forever and ever. READ IT!! Thats all I can say. I have never related to a character so much, I absolutely adore Molly. She makes the mundane seem so lovely and oh my gosh I just wish I could be her or be friends with her. I am also going to re-attempt to read Jane Austen for her, she makes the books sound so lovely and I fear I did not give pride and prejudice enough credit. I also absolutely adored the ending, it was sweet and simple. I do wish the book continued for longer, I am devastated the story ended so soon. I will be reading this story again in the future - something about it feels like home.
May 16, 2020
I chose this book because it was shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. Knowing that set my expectations too high. I was looking forward to much laughter and was disappointed by my expectations.
Also, I am not a keen fan of the "classics". And this is compounded by authors who incorporate the classics into their storylines. Well, really what did I expect when the protagonist is an English Lit Major?
Therefore, my rating is based more upon my literary tastes than upon the author's writing style. If you're into 19th c English female authors this novel could be right up your alley.
Also, I am not a keen fan of the "classics". And this is compounded by authors who incorporate the classics into their storylines. Well, really what did I expect when the protagonist is an English Lit Major?
Therefore, my rating is based more upon my literary tastes than upon the author's writing style. If you're into 19th c English female authors this novel could be right up your alley.
June 14, 2020
This was a nice little read. Molly is relatable and down to earth and shares a lot of struggles that most women will likely relate to. I found the middle of the book a bit slow and predictable, but the book was still enjoyable enough to finish and I found myself wanting to find out how things turned out for her in the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews