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raelin's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Solid read. Nothing is cut and dry in this story, characters or their decisions. Tons of characters, so it’s hard for every single one to be extensively fleshed out, but you get insights into all of their thoughts and mini biographies on all of them at some point. Quick read, and lots of things happening along the way to keep your interest, but not so much that it is confusing or hard to keep characters straight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Car accident, and Miscarriage
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Shaker Heights is the perfect community: everything is organized and planned and perfect. Mrs. Robinson has lived in Shaker practically her whole life, and she has taken these values wholly to heart. Then Mia, a nomadic and free-spirited artist, moves into the Robinson family's duplex with her daughter, Pearl. Everything is fine at first; Pearl befriends the Robinson children and Mia starts working as a housekeeper for the Robinsons. When the Shaker Heights community is disrupted by a custody battle for a Chinese-American baby, tensions flare and truths are brought to light.
All of the contemporary fiction I have been reading lately has strong themes of motherhood and mother-daughter relationships, and it's really making me miss my mom (It doesn't help that this weekend is Mother's Day here in Spain)! I loved Ng's writing style and the flashbacks that gave more context and personal history of the characters throughout the book. I really liked Mia's story (and her character in general) while anything from Mrs. Robinson's point of view was painful to read (she's just obnoxious...I know that's the point).
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibes):Bittersweet for sure, and a little ambiguous.
All of the contemporary fiction I have been reading lately has strong themes of motherhood and mother-daughter relationships, and it's really making me miss my mom (It doesn't help that this weekend is Mother's Day here in Spain)! I loved Ng's writing style and the flashbacks that gave more context and personal history of the characters throughout the book. I really liked Mia's story (and her character in general) while anything from Mrs. Robinson's point of view was painful to read (she's just obnoxious...I know that's the point).
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibes):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Cursing, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia
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