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aotales's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-3.75 ⭐️
My feelings on this one are maddeningly all over the place. Because, on the one hand, it was an incredibly thought provoking, haunting novel exploring the unrealistic expectations we put upon mothers in our society - through the exaggerated lens of a dystopian (only slightly) world. Layers upon layers build in this novel surrounding the hot button topic of parenting - stigmas in cultural parenting styles (ie anything not white and North American equals wrong), parenting double standards, racism and incarceration, the systematic problem of blanketed standardized punishment/corrections for wide scale infractions, stigmas of mental health, medication, and suicide. I mean, this novel goes for it.
But, on that other hand, would I ever want to read this again? Would I ever recommend this to a friend? No and not likely. Because this novel is going to make you so damn angry on every damn page and for that damn reason it is so damn hard to finish. Readers are going to be split down the middle as to where your sympathies lie for our main character regarding the events surrounding her “bad day” and whether it is in fact a forgivable offence. It’s the whole crux of the storyline … is leaving an 18-month-old alone for over two hours okay? Is that maybe the point? Jessamine is instantly making you judge in a novel that explores how much we judge mothers …?
It’s a dozy of a novel, one I can’t stop thinking about, one that has stirred up a whole gauntlet of emotions, which is typically my benchmark for a good novel. But I hated reading it at the same time? If you’re ready for some literary self masochism, buckle up.
My feelings on this one are maddeningly all over the place. Because, on the one hand, it was an incredibly thought provoking, haunting novel exploring the unrealistic expectations we put upon mothers in our society - through the exaggerated lens of a dystopian (only slightly) world. Layers upon layers build in this novel surrounding the hot button topic of parenting - stigmas in cultural parenting styles (ie anything not white and North American equals wrong), parenting double standards, racism and incarceration, the systematic problem of blanketed standardized punishment/corrections for wide scale infractions, stigmas of mental health, medication, and suicide. I mean, this novel goes for it.
But, on that other hand, would I ever want to read this again? Would I ever recommend this to a friend? No and not likely. Because this novel is going to make you so damn angry on every damn page and for that damn reason it is so damn hard to finish. Readers are going to be split down the middle as to where your sympathies lie for our main character regarding the events surrounding her “bad day” and whether it is in fact a forgivable offence. It’s the whole crux of the storyline … is leaving an 18-month-old alone for over two hours okay? Is that maybe the point? Jessamine is instantly making you judge in a novel that explores how much we judge mothers …?
It’s a dozy of a novel, one I can’t stop thinking about, one that has stirred up a whole gauntlet of emotions, which is typically my benchmark for a good novel. But I hated reading it at the same time? If you’re ready for some literary self masochism, buckle up.
sarcasticnerdette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mxrwah's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
anikaaas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katygard's review against another edition
3.0
I liked that the dystopian aspect slowly creeped up, instead of being heavy handed from the start. I felt dissatisfied with the ending, but I think that was the point.
rwlongino's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
brittthebull93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nic_na's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
rly's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Infidelity
mysteriesofmar's review against another edition
2.0
so promising in terms of dystopian concepts, but delivery fell short. i wanted more creepy stuff basically lol
also some women are simply not meant to be moms. perhaps this was the point, but listening to frida say what she would've done, how much she really cares about her daughter, etc. after what she did was f-ing annoying. my own strained relationship with my mom might not help, but it certainly took away from my overall enjoyment
also some women are simply not meant to be moms. perhaps this was the point, but listening to frida say what she would've done, how much she really cares about her daughter, etc. after what she did was f-ing annoying. my own strained relationship with my mom might not help, but it certainly took away from my overall enjoyment