Maid Machinegun: A Novel (Paperback)

~ Aaliyah (Author)
Key Phrases: connecting maids, thousand yen bill, maid outfits, Miss Masami, Events Day, Major Lawrence (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—While there are a few illustrations at the beginning of the book and a two-page "comicalized" passage at the end, most of this book is a straightforward novel. However, the subject of manga, whether it be doujinshi (self-published) or even yaoi (gay love stories) permeates the book. Familiarity with Japan's truly bizarre maid café phenomenon will be helpful to readers who might otherwise be dumbfounded by waitresses who refer to their customers as "Master" and "Mistress" and who create designs on their customers' dishes using only ketchup and their imagination. This story is told by Aaliyah Kominami, who aspires to be the best maid ever but who often fails because of her clumsiness and her inability to think on her feet. She has several crises at the café, involving belligerent coworkers, an overly amorous waiter, and Masters and Mistresses whose problems cannot be easily solved. American readers may wonder how satisfying this job could be if maids are expected always to be pleasant, subservient, and smiling. But then again we don't live in Japan, where maid cafés are as popular as Starbucks here. Manga enthusiasts and other otaku (extreme nerds/fanatics) will be delighted with the deep immersion in Japanese culture that this book provides.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
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Product Description

Plunge into the fascinating, high-stakes world of fanboys and fangirls in Japan’s ultimate novel of manga and anime!

In Tokyo’s Akihabara district, eighteen-year-old Aaliyah is a new maid (aka waitress) at a hopping maid café where otaku (guys devoted to manga) convene to drink tea and talk comics. Aaliyah is determined to make a splash–and her adventures are recounted in this sparkling diary.

Aaliyah’s motto is “I won’t lose, even if I’m about to.” She plans to design a maid photo book, create a super-duper event, and solve all the fanboys’ problems with her brainchild: “A Maid’s Dimly Lit Counseling Room.” But something’s wrong, and it’s not just Aaliyah’s bad Japanese. Why are the other maids suspicious of her? Why is the maid café’s recent hire an incredibly handsome waiter, and why is he madly in love with her? It turns out Aaliyah has her own secret. Now it’s time to find out the truth about the girl who’ll follow her dreams and fantasies anywhere and do anything to become the perfect maid!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (May 20, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345502531
• ISBN-13: 978-0345502537
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,477,239 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Look out for Maic Machinegun, May 21, 2008

By	Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Aaliyah is a talent to look out for. Her novel, "Maid Machinegun", is an interesting look at the maid (waitress) industry. Instead of tea cups, she deals with machine guns.

The interesting thing about this book is the diary style format that really sparkles when her struggles with her co-waitresses increases. She falls for a new hire at the cafe, and it's all confusing from there.

For those looking into new, hot reads, look for the hot pink cover with the dangerous Aaliyah! You won't be disappointed. Truly one of the best over the year!

www.delreymanga.com

Tim Lasiuta