yunsq's review against another edition
4.25
Balli Kaur Jaswal has an incredible way of weaving truth and non-fiction into fiction narratives that is poignant, and non cheesy. This makes the book an engaging but difficult read (at times).
This book makes me think about the foreign domestic workers who brought me up. I was never privy to life, joy and hardships they faced when I was younger, and this book did so much more for me than tell a story (or stories) of the women who raised me.
Always a pleasure reading Balli Kaur Jaswal. Here’s to more!
This book makes me think about the foreign domestic workers who brought me up. I was never privy to life, joy and hardships they faced when I was younger, and this book did so much more for me than tell a story (or stories) of the women who raised me.
Always a pleasure reading Balli Kaur Jaswal. Here’s to more!
sujata's review
4.0
I enjoyed this loved the main characters and the mystery. And they did a good job of showing without non fiction feel how helpers are treated in Singapore. But I think the author tried to do a lot of things in one novel as well!
nuts246's review
4.25
This book is a murder mystery, but more than that, it's a commentary on life among the rich in Singapore. It's a place which clearly runs on the invisible labour of maids who have no fixed job description and are required to ensure that everything is perfect. If the maid is lucky, she gets an empathetic employer, but there are many who are mentally and physically abusive and the maid has little recourse to assistance. The contracts are drawn up in a manner that protects the employers more than the employees! Underlining all that is the fundamental inequities which lead women to pay huge sums of money to agents to get the almost exploitative jobs.
As a mystery, it's decent. Clues build up and suspects come and go. It's interesting watching the three women navigate them.
The plot also has twists and turns that keep you engaged, and it's interesting to look at places you've seen as a tourist from the perspective of residents.
As a mystery, it's decent. Clues build up and suspects come and go. It's interesting watching the three women navigate them.
The plot also has twists and turns that keep you engaged, and it's interesting to look at places you've seen as a tourist from the perspective of residents.
ivyreads08's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
azi's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? No
3.0
Talk about a mismatch, I loved the pairing between Donita and Mrs Fann. Donita was my favourite character, took no BS from anyone, including Sanjeev. I also loved that as much as Ma'am Elizabeth was kind, she had to learn the importance of boundaries, I hope she's made some actual friends. I lol'd at OnlyFanns.com
bookishconnections's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It’s hard to rate this book, I really enjoyed Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by this author and in many ways, this book follows a similar plot and structure.
I’d put it in the cosy mysteries section but I did find it really slow in some places.
Although the author interviewed domestic workers from the Philippines, since she is not of that community I found it hard to get into the story as much as I would have liked to.
I totally believe the stories shared are true instances of how these workers are treated but I wish they’d been able to tell their own stories.
The plot is enjoyable and moves along but not as quick as I would have liked.
If you enjoyed Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jessie Sutanto, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
I’d put it in the cosy mysteries section but I did find it really slow in some places.
Although the author interviewed domestic workers from the Philippines, since she is not of that community I found it hard to get into the story as much as I would have liked to.
I totally believe the stories shared are true instances of how these workers are treated but I wish they’d been able to tell their own stories.
The plot is enjoyable and moves along but not as quick as I would have liked.
If you enjoyed Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jessie Sutanto, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying and Domestic abuse
nlreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
emmjaygib's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kaloughl's review
4.0
Jaswal writes such vivid characters that reveal the roiling underbellies of Singaporean elite households. The class hierarchy of the community is fascinating and the terrible ways maids are treated reveal much about human nature.