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A review by danaslitlist
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can understand why for many this book could be seen as boring or slow however I found the commentary and exploration of intersectional feminism, racism, and the failure of the system to be compelling. This isn't a story that is meant to have you on the edge of your seat, and it certainly doesn't throw extreme circumstances at you. But what this book does do it does well. It gives you an incredibly in depth look at what guilt, anger, and pain can do your mind and at purposefully crawling pace.
The School for Good Mothers is a book with a much deeper meaning and set of themes than it presents itself as. Like I said above it focuses on intersectional feminism and race; how mothers of color are specifically put at a disadvantage within any system we place them. They will always be help to a higher standard and even upon beating that standard it isn't enough. Meanwhile white women will always be the exception to the rule, especially if they have a money or connections. The hierarchy of womanhood will always value white, wealthy women over women of color and poor women (and God forbid you happen to be both).
This is also a book that has a direct commentary on how Western conservative values have embedded themselves into every aspect of our society. The dog whistles and blatant rejection of any ideals that do not align with what is considered a typical conservative Christian ideal is rejected and punished. And I think the book demonstrates that beautifully within in the text and plot.
The look into the consequences Frida's moment of desperation and exhaustion that haunt her long after the incident had my heart aching for her as well as wanting to shake her. She is a perfectly flawed character and even in her moments of unlikability you feel sympathetic to her.
The School for Good Mothers is a book with a much deeper meaning and set of themes than it presents itself as. Like I said above it focuses on intersectional feminism and race; how mothers of color are specifically put at a disadvantage within any system we place them. They will always be help to a higher standard and even upon beating that standard it isn't enough. Meanwhile white women will always be the exception to the rule, especially if they have a money or connections. The hierarchy of womanhood will always value white, wealthy women over women of color and poor women (and God forbid you happen to be both).
This is also a book that has a direct commentary on how Western conservative values have embedded themselves into every aspect of our society. The dog whistles and blatant rejection of any ideals that do not align with what is considered a typical conservative Christian ideal is rejected and punished. And I think the book demonstrates that beautifully within in the text and plot.
The look into the consequences Frida's moment of desperation and exhaustion that haunt her long after the incident had my heart aching for her as well as wanting to shake her. She is a perfectly flawed character and even in her moments of unlikability you feel sympathetic to her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt