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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
This wasn’t the horror book I thought it might be. But it asks, what happens when we don’t value the lives and dreams of women, instead placing more value on their capability to reproduce? Themes of class, race, capitalism, misogyny. I think this is an important read considering the fall of Roe, continuous abortion bans, and now the threats of losing contraception and IVF too.
However, it should be remembered that the white supremacist vision is not one that would include women of color simply for pro-natalism, but to fill in for a free labor force (think back to days of slavery in America); ie, capitalism. White women, while kept under oppression, would still have privileges and benefit from a heavy hand of patriarchy, just as they always have.
However, it should be remembered that the white supremacist vision is not one that would include women of color simply for pro-natalism, but to fill in for a free labor force (think back to days of slavery in America); ie, capitalism. White women, while kept under oppression, would still have privileges and benefit from a heavy hand of patriarchy, just as they always have.
I listened to The Farm by Joanne Ramos on audio. This is a book that I would call near speculative fiction, because it is so, so close to what is actually happening. Basically, it’s about a place where surrogates for wealthy individuals live and have their lives strictly monitored, and most of these surrogates are immigrants-especially Phillipina immigrants. The look into household labor is stark, and also Ramos explores the class and gender and race divide, and how all the power lies with certain people without it ever feeling heavy handed. You just sense that Jane, one of our protagonists, slowly has her options taken from her and is backed into a corner, and that sense of oppression can feel stifling and frustrating.
Ramos wrote in the afterword that she wrote this because of how she grew up and based on her interactions with Phillipinas who worked in houses, and she wanted to explore those relationships. There’s a lot here to think about, so it may serve well as a book club read as it would be a good one to discuss.
Ramos wrote in the afterword that she wrote this because of how she grew up and based on her interactions with Phillipinas who worked in houses, and she wanted to explore those relationships. There’s a lot here to think about, so it may serve well as a book club read as it would be a good one to discuss.
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good book, but I was expecting a bit more. I felt like with some of the plot it was set up to go a certain way or be shocking, and then it wasn't.
Wasn't bad by any means. But I could have gone for more of a shock value for some of it.
The author definitely played off things that already happen, and took it further. Which made it seem very realistic/ you could picture it really happening. So that was a good idea and over all story.
Wasn't bad by any means. But I could have gone for more of a shock value for some of it.
The author definitely played off things that already happen, and took it further. Which made it seem very realistic/ you could picture it really happening. So that was a good idea and over all story.
When I first checked this out of the library, I had high hopes that it would be a harsh criticism of white privilege and the economic inequality that stems from it. And while some social justice issues were touched upon, it just seemed a little ...lukewarm. The story was solid, but the characters were underdeveloped. I just couldn’t CARE about the characters or how their lives turned out. But it’s still a worthwhile read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read infact i was gripped from the minute Jane entered the farm. A great story and very well written. I still feel close to Jane and Regan and Mae
Rounding up to 3.5, I liked the book, I liked the concept, but I could never really get a real feel for the characters, especially Jane and why she did the things she did.
I'm between three and four stars, but I'll give it 4 because the character development was supreme, especially since each chapter alternates. I thought it was incredible to do so from third person versus first. I didn't have any idea what the point was or where the story was going until 80% of the way through the book. Even then, I was a little disappointed at the ending. I understand the book is largely social commentary with special consideration to culture, immigration, gender, and power differentials, but wish there was a little more oomph to the story's main action point 80% through the book. Overall, I found it entertaining, but not sure if i would recommend it or not.