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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well worth a discussion, I enjoyed the various perspecties; how each of them provided a piece to a story without really becoming the vilian or the hero in any way. Mirrored reality I think.
Book 12: A Medical Thriller
While the concept for this book was really interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired. This book is about a "retreat" type setting where surrogate mothers live for 9 months while they carry the fetuses of very rich people. They get paid a monthly stipend and a bonus at the end for a successful delivery. However, they must stay on site for the entire duration of the pregnancy, they can't use phones or other devices connecting them to the outside world, they very rarely have visitors, must engage in specific workouts and dieting plans, etc.
It's interesting because I could totally see this happening in real life. Unfortunately, the plot + some of Ramos' writing techniques made this a very "meh" book for me. I don't feel that the thriller aspect of this was necessary at all and to me it kind of cheapened the plot. Also, Ramos' writing is confusing in that she goes back and forth in time a lot and oftentimes it is not clear whether we're in the present or past (not saying that it always has to be spelled out plainly, but something about the way she did it just didn't work). This is a debut novel so I do feel that she has a lot of opportunities to grow as a writer.
Overall just okay- at 321 pages it took me over 2 weeks to finish so take that for what it's worth.
While the concept for this book was really interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired. This book is about a "retreat" type setting where surrogate mothers live for 9 months while they carry the fetuses of very rich people. They get paid a monthly stipend and a bonus at the end for a successful delivery. However, they must stay on site for the entire duration of the pregnancy, they can't use phones or other devices connecting them to the outside world, they very rarely have visitors, must engage in specific workouts and dieting plans, etc.
It's interesting because I could totally see this happening in real life. Unfortunately, the plot + some of Ramos' writing techniques made this a very "meh" book for me. I don't feel that the thriller aspect of this was necessary at all and to me it kind of cheapened the plot. Also, Ramos' writing is confusing in that she goes back and forth in time a lot and oftentimes it is not clear whether we're in the present or past (not saying that it always has to be spelled out plainly, but something about the way she did it just didn't work). This is a debut novel so I do feel that she has a lot of opportunities to grow as a writer.
Overall just okay- at 321 pages it took me over 2 weeks to finish so take that for what it's worth.
Audiobook
I’m a little creeped out by this but I can’t put finger quite on why. Maybe I feel like I relate to women who don’t want to carry a baby but that feels judgey and yucky?
I’m a little creeped out by this but I can’t put finger quite on why. Maybe I feel like I relate to women who don’t want to carry a baby but that feels judgey and yucky?
Intriguing, but I was frustrated by the lack of resolution to some of the story lines in the book.
3.5 Thought provoking and unique. I liked the interwoven themes of morality, race, class, privilege, and family. The premise was great and I liked the characters. I didn’t feel like this was a dystopian novel though and thought the author could have pushed the envelope to make this into the “provocative” novel it’s described as being.
An OK read! Wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Great premise - what people with money do and what people do for money!
The Giver meets The Handmaid’s Tale in The Farm. The premise is interesting and the perspectives of several different characters gives the reader a complete view of the story. I wanted a little more depth from the plot, but it was a satisfying read nonetheless.
Meh at best. I finished it, but two weeks from now I won't even remember that I've read it.
not dystopic like I had initially thought
themes of wealth gap, the immigrant experience, female relationships
themes of wealth gap, the immigrant experience, female relationships