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A review by pich
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
i thought there would be more of a dystopian theme, but i think that’s not a bad thing with this book. it was a bit slow at first, and i wasn’t too fond of the pacing at times, but i think the end redeemed itself. the scenes with the dolls made me so extremely uncomfortable, but that was the point. the dolls definitely symbolize something, as well as the actual kids, and i think the way they were written was really heartbreaking. the later scenes with harriet were so touching yet devastating. the fact that frida took harriet in the end was a very conflicting moment, seeing as all she wanted was to be a good mother, yet knew it would end badly for the both of them.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism