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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I hate to say it, but I skimmed through most of this book and then just gave up and read the last couple of chapters. I think I was expecting something more sinister, or suspenseful but really it's just a story about women. I was just a bit bored, waiting for something to happen...
While the premis is an interesting one, the story skips around a bit with new characters and situations being added along the way. Transitions are non-existent or confusing. Segments that I found exciting were abruptly stopped for something else. Disappointed.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. The Farm ranks up there with some of the great speculative fiction books (and movies/series) of our time. I enjoyed the story and found it to be provocative and compelling. The writing was very thought provoking - looking forward to seeing what else the author publishes.
3.5 stars. Want kids but too busy to have them yourself? Are you extremely wealthy? Hire a surrogate who will be secluded at The Farm for 9 months with Coordinators closely watching her every move. What's weird about this book is that it's not completely horrifying. It's fairly entertaining, dives into issues of class and race, but doesn't go that deep otherwise. As long as you don't expect something like the Handmaid's Tale, and are prepared for one character who is a doormat who makes stupid decisions to the point of annoyance, this is a good book to read.
A tale about the class divides, and monetizing on the well-being of those in poverty. I wanted more dystopia but I got a little dose. It was heartbreaking, stressful, extravagant, manipulative and chaotic. Deceit surrounds The Farm where surrogates stay for the duration of their pregnancy for the wealthiest couples. The staff will do anything to keep the pregnant women complacent and agreeable. How far is too far?
I have had this ARC for a while and finally got around to reading it. This book takes place in the near future when surrogacy is a bit more advanced. I wish the story had started with Jane already at the Farm and then looked back at how she decided to go there. As the story was told, the beginning was a bit boring and uneventful. To me, the story only got really interesting during the second half and then really near the end. I am glad that things turned out well for Jane and Reagan. I'm not sure if I agree more with Jane or with Reagan about Mae. Some people will do anything for a baby.
A very interesting way to think about how wealth and poverty intersect with motherhood. Is surrogacy a commodification of women’s bodies/pregnancy? Mae’s explanation that surrogacy is not explorative because people have a choice is interesting. Is it really a choice if you have no other options? Or is it actually the best choice because you have no other options? And Troys awe over the pregnant female form was interesting, can you separate pregnancy from the pregnant woman? Also interesting that surrogacy might be a way for women to women to maintain their career paths without being slowed down by a pregnancy, wound surrogacy empower woman to pursue careers, provides they can afford a surrogate? Also brings up the idea that adoption is notably not brought up in this book. Wealthy clients in the book want to have a baby that is biologically related to them and want to control every aspect of the pregnancy, adoption is never even mentioned. Brings up and interesting comparison of adoption va surrogacy and the desire to be related to your children.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was much less dystopian than billed and more of a slightly amplified version of something that is already legally and morally acceptable in today's society.