Book review: A Complete Fiction by R. L. Maizes

Elisabeth Easther reviews R. L. Maizes's novel, which follows PJ Larkin, an aspiring novelist who accuses another writer of stealing a story similar to one she lifted from her sister's experience of assault; the ensuing online scandal affects publishing deals and family dynamics. The book mixes comic one-liners with serious themes of sexual violence, shame, and the ethics of storytelling, portraying the moral compromises artists may make to get published. Characters include PJ, her sister (whose lived trauma is fictionalised), and George, an editor-turned-debut-author whose huge advance is jeopardised by the allegations. The novel interrogates cancel culture, power in politics and publishing, and how families respond to trauma, while balancing high stakes with satirical elements. Some readers may find the comedic tone jarring given the subject matter, and the protagonist’s lack of empathy is central to the novel’s moral tension.