A review by literarylion
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.5

I really liked this.

Pros:

• amazing speculation and world-building around a possible not-too-distant future; Frida's situation felt scary in a very real way
• incredible emotion and character establishment; I was invested from beginning to end
• strong examination of important social issues without feeling didactic or hitting the reader over the head with it
• Great tension-building pacing

Cons:

• I found the romance between Frida and Tucker a bit unnecessary to the story

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Blood and Alcohol