DC Comics novels - Harley Quinn: Mad Love

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I'd heard that the first one in the novelization series (Killing Joke) wasn't very good. But I'd already pre-ordered, so I decided to give it a chance. WOW. You could completely forget the entire idea that this has anything to do with Batman, comics, a TV show, or any character you've ever seen before. You could come to this book completely fresh, knowing absolutely nothing about who Harley is, and still get at least as much out of it. This is just an amazingly well-written story.

What makes it so good? I think the biggest reason is that the author weaves together a lot of the backstory we already know in a very clever way BUT also makes the entire story seem so fresh. You'll recognize a number of elements that we've seen in Harley's story before, in some cases, pieces that were there from the very beginning. But they're put together in new ways (sometimes even neatly retconning things that didn't make sense at the time.) And it somehow all seems so new and unexpected.

Even though we KNOW that Harley is going to have to end up with the Joker, for example, it really seems like she might not, like she might be able to pull herself back from the edge in time. We feel her conflicted emotions and thoughts, and we feel how she's pulled into his seductive web, day by day. This is when we really see how smart it was to turn this story into a book. There are ways that we just can't get into the character's head from visual media, but in a book, we can. Harley's motivations have never felt so understandable before, and I think that the author also does a good job of showing how and why she was able to escape the Joker's spell. But the ending of the book is also understandable (I won't give it away here, because even though we've seen the events before, I don't think readers have ever really understood so completely why Harley ended up where she did at the point where she finally got away from the Joker.)

If there's a weakness in the writing, I think it's that we're never really shown exactly why the Joker continued to be so appealing to Harley after she got him out of Arkham. This is not a book meant for little kids, so couldn't we have seen a little of the intimate spell he clearly cast over her? There are hints that the sex was amazing, but really... I think we could have gotten a little more, and it could have seemed more believable that Harley would have stuck with him.

On the other hand, one thing the author does that is very clever is to shorten the amount of time that Harley was actually in a relationship with the Joker. We never know exactly how long it was, but there are enough pop culture and current tech references so that it's easy to figure out that it couldn't have been too long. My guess is about a year, no more than two, and the way that he treated her really started to go downhill a few months before the end. Keeping her with him as long as they were together in the comics would have made Harley's character ridiculous.

Overall, I guess I would say that with a few flaws, this is a really good book, probably much better than it had any right to be. You don't need to have read every single comic that ever existed and dissected them all on your own Youtube channel to appreciate this. (I guarantee that I haven't.) Pick it up for an engaging, fascinating, and thought-provoking read.

DUUUDE!!!! what is up with Paul Dini ? For the life of me I cant understand for the life of me why he insist on make our beloved Harley Quinn into a bad lifetime story about a sexual dysfunctional adult. The reason I believe (IMHO) that the masses fell in love with the Harley we all were introduced in the Batman Animated series is that she was relatable and her sweet caring attitude towards those who suffered and yet she was wild and violent especially towards who threatened who she loved. The first two chapters hint at this especially in her younger years but it comes off creepy, when she calls her Daddy which in itself is innocent but the author goes overboard in a subliminal sexual undertone. I hope the rest of the book strays from this theme

Just devoured this book, I'm a longtime classic BTAS Harley Quinn fan and I love the dynamic between her and the Joker as two psychopaths in love, both getting something from the relationship. Needless to say, I'm not a fan of new Harley (in the New 52) and this book was worth the get just to see some of the taste of the old Harley Quinn.
Still, this book overall does a fantastic job of capturing Harleen Quinzel, but once Harley Quinn takes center stage the story and character both lose their steam.
Now, this book had some amazing parts. I loved Harleen's constant, understandable aversion to Batman, and I love how per past and time as a psychiatrist made her fleshed-out and relatable, while including subtle hints into her mindset that would lead her to becoming Harley Quinn. I loved Harleen Quinzel portrayed as someone who was cunning, manipulative, quick-witted, and even from a young age having some understanding of the joke that is the chaos and darkness of the world. I also LOVED the Joker's perspective chapter, and wish there was more of it.
Some minor things kept niggling in my mind, such as the Joker not being restrained in his cell during therapy sessions and the lack of focus on the scope of killing the Joker has done. Also, I know it's not realistic for murderous psychopaths, but I loved the common room where the Rogues gallery interacted in the Animated Series.
Harley Quinn, especially in her honeymoon phase of the relationship, is delusional, yes, but having the book end as it did was a little bit of a letdown and following in the modern trend of "Harley can only be strong and independent when separated from the Joker." Yes he deserved to be put in his place for what he did, but she also needed a reality check for everything that comes with being so close to the hurricane that is the Joker.
I would recommend this story simply for the great writing and character study that 3/4 of the book delivers. As for fans hoping for a story that more closely focuses on the RELATIONSHIP between Harley and the Joker, and how it evolves, there are definitely some great fanfictions I've read that have delivered more.

It’s nice and different

I purchased this book from Amazon to read. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Harley Quinn: Mad Love by Paul Dini and Pat Cadigan. 5 stars because well, Harley Quinn. Yes I wanted to love this book and it was a fast paced read with adventure on every page, but truthfully I wanted a different story. Wonderfully written and everything a comic book should be. Harlene Quinn grew up in Brooklyn with a father for a criminal and a mother that pushed her to be something more. Harley studies gymnastics and prepares for a scholarship to go to college, attends medical school, and becomes a successful psychiatrist and this is where everything becomes complicated for Harley. Her revenge she's been seeking since childhood grows into a complicated love story with Puddin and a strange hatred for Batman. Until one day she realizes Puddin isn't what she really needs to get to her revenge.

This novel is faithful to the original material and really captures the heart of Harley. If you've seen the cartoon or read the comic, you won't get much more information other than an incident in kidhood. Otherwise, it's pleasantly nostalgic in how it recreates the scenes and situations. I was relieved to see that it treats Harley with sensitivity, careful to demonstrate that this is abuse and that this is domestic violence. It took a while for creators to see what they made in Harley, and there is no glorifying of the relationship or brushing off the violence with humor.

Downsides; In some respects it relies on the reader to already be familiar with the universe this takes place in. There are no descriptions for the joker, the batman, or Harley (Except for periodic reminders that she is a "Knockout"). There are descriptions for Poison Ivy and a few other characters, but nothing for our centerpieces. They do the setting correctly, the carnival is loopy and Arkham is sufficiently creepy.

Overall the emotional experience is very satisfying. It ends on a positive, if slightly dark, note. She feels like a complicated character that is easy to relate to. Themes include childhood abuse/trauma (as is frequently the case with Batman), authority, and Determination.

This novel is a welcome member to my library.

Waste of time and money. What was added as new content, like the novelization of the Killing Joke, really added nothing worth having to the story and seemed to conflict with the original graphic novel which is much better. Forget this and just like the Killing Joke, stick with the classic graphic novel and steer clear of these novelizations.

I purchased this book because I love the Harley Quinn character and read the new 52 series. The book is great, as I never read any Batman comics nor Harley Quinn comics prior to the new 52 series. The book tells how Harleen becomes "Harley" and paints the picture of her character formation really well. Its up beat, light hearted, and overall an entertaining and easy read. I enjoyed the book and recommend it for any Harley Quinn fans that might be new to her character, like I am.

I will say that there is some violence in the book, and is probably more suitable for older teens.

Hey. I wanted it in hardback to match the rest. This was a library edition with the plastic cover. Not the best, but good enuff on a shoe string budget.

Excellent addition to my collection!