Synopsis:
Saving Maria revolves around the life of Littlethumb Brooks, a world renowned painter and philanthropist who suffers a life of great tragedy. While the world knows Littlethumb as a famous painter, he secretly functions as the financial and operational force behind his uncle’s globetrotting team of Robin Hood-esque soldiers of fortune, the Electric Medicine Men. When Littlethumb’s most famous collection of paintings, The Marias, is stolen, it’s up to the Electric Medicine Men to recover them. Along the way the team discovers a world-changing invention, a villainous syndicate marches toward global upheaval, and a disturbed journalist unleashes his misguided wrath on our hero. While navigating all of this madness, Littlethumb’s greatest challenge is conquering the fear he’s been cursed and will never be able to safely raise his child.
Composed with elements of mystery, action-adventure and magic realism, Saving Maria is a fast-paced, comedic work of experimental fiction presented by an omniscient narrator. Often breaking the fourth wall, teasing the audience and himself, your narrator openly pokes fun at literary tropes like “secret bad guy” and “secret good guy” organizations, government agencies shrouded in conspiratorial darkness, evil despots bent on global upheaval, stern martial arts masters, and characters so deeply undercover no one knows who they really work for, not even the author.
Favorite Lines:
“Then again, without life there would be no fried chicken.”
“Just kidding. This isn’t that type of story. The monkey’s don’t speak, though they are remarkably intuitive. And adorable.”
“You can’t be afraid to lose someone you love, or you’ll never love all the way. And if you believe this life is chaos…well, you know chaos doesn’t do patterns. So, either you accept what happened was the impartial nature of reality, a random occurrence, which means that there is no curse upon you and no precedent for assuming something bad will happen to Hope. Or, you’re going to have to set about the task of completely rearranging your personal philosophical believes on human existence. At least, as they appear.”
My Opinion:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
Saving Maria by Truant Memphis is like stepping onto a rollercoaster where you’re never sure if you’ll plunge into an action-packed heist, a heartfelt moment, or a quirky meta joke that breaks the fourth wall. The book’s omniscient narrator doesn’t just tell the story—he becomes a character himself, offering witty commentary, playful jabs at literary tropes, and a healthy dose of self-awareness that adds a fresh layer of humor to the reading experience.
At the heart of this whirlwind tale is Littlethumb Brooks, a world-renowned painter grappling with personal tragedy, whose life takes an unexpected turn when his iconic collection, The Marias, is stolen. Cue the Electric Medicine Men—a colorful team of Robin Hood-esque mercenaries whose missions are equal parts thrilling and absurd. From daring heists in the Western Sahara to covert operations in Europe, the team’s escapades are loaded with explosive action, clever banter, and just the right amount of chaos.
What really stands out is the balance between adrenaline-fueled sequences and deeper emotional beats. Littlethumb’s personal struggles—particularly his fears surrounding fatherhood—lend the story surprising poignancy amidst the madness. And then there’s the quirky cast: from Daring Bird’s gruff leadership to Silas’s comic relief antics, each character is distinct, with relationships that feel both authentic and entertaining.
The narrative doesn’t just play with genre conventions—it has fun with them. Expect nods to classic adventure tales, sly commentary on secret organizations, and unexpected twists that keep you on your toes. The humor is sharp, sometimes delightfully absurd, but never detracts from the story’s emotional core.
Summary:
Overall, if you’re looking for a book that combines the thrills of an action film with the playfulness of a satirical novel—and still manages to tug at your heartstrings—Saving Maria delivers. It’s witty, fast-paced, and packed with surprises, making it perfect for fans of genre-bending fiction that doesn’t just entertain, but winks at you while doing it. Happy reading!