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A review by chrissymccue
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Frida Liu had one very bad day. She left her daughter, Harriet alone. Harriet has been removed from her care and she has been sentenced to a program to learn to be a good mother.
Jessamine Chan's debut novel is a dystopian examination of government overreach, surveillance, artificial intelligence, race, class, and modern parenting expectations.
As a middle class mom, this book shook me to my core. Forget monsters and ghosts, the real fears that live in my nightmares were found in these pages. Chan perfectly encapsulates the spiraling anxiety associated with our society's expectation of perfect mothering. Frida, the other mothers, and the fathers unveil the real racial, class, and sexist underpinnings of the state's ideal parent.
If this book is not nominated for all the book awards this year, I'd be shocked. Chan tackles so much in this heartwrenching portrayal.
Jessamine Chan's debut novel is a dystopian examination of government overreach, surveillance, artificial intelligence, race, class, and modern parenting expectations.
As a middle class mom, this book shook me to my core. Forget monsters and ghosts, the real fears that live in my nightmares were found in these pages. Chan perfectly encapsulates the spiraling anxiety associated with our society's expectation of perfect mothering. Frida, the other mothers, and the fathers unveil the real racial, class, and sexist underpinnings of the state's ideal parent.
If this book is not nominated for all the book awards this year, I'd be shocked. Chan tackles so much in this heartwrenching portrayal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Suicide