Reviews

This was a book that started well and just got better and better, growing even more intriguing as it went along, charging to a great ending. Loved it!

ckozik1017's review against another edition

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emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The last bit got quite interesting. Izzy was a well-written character and throughout the later part of the novel I was very interested in reading more Izzy parts, so Kudos to the writer. Mia's backstory was fascinating to read although I didn't quite find myself very connected to her character. I don't think I was particularly rooting for any of the characters at any point except for Izzy.

The plot of the novel is the thing that kept it going, there was no beat to it. This is probably my reason for being irritated as I don't care much for the plot as much as I care for the characters and style. Celeste Ng tried to squeeze a lot of substance into it but it's always annoying when amateur writers write about race.

I would be interested in reading a small novella or epilogue about what Izzy ends up doing.

mandi93's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Took a little bit to get into this read but enjoyed overall.

amycanread_'s review

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4.0

4.5/5
“What made someone a mother?”

This is a story about motherhood:
A single mother who is constantly moving herself and her daughter around to chase her photography passion. She is secretive about her past and reluctant to put down roots despite the instability.

An affluent mother in suburbia who followed all the rules (college, husband, mortgage) and was rewarded with 4 children. Her anxiety and perfectionism turn into a need for control of her youngest daughter which then turns into an unstable, resentful dynamic.

A single immigrant Chinese mother in the throws of poverty and post-partum depression and has no other choice but to give her baby up to the state. The legal and societal battles she has to face to regain custody of her baby.

Another affluent white woman struggling with infertility who wants desperately to adopt this Chinese baby. Her own legal and societal battles around inter-racial adoption.

A teenage girl who daydreams about having her own baby, but has a hard truth to face when she finds out she’s pregnant.

The choices and sacrifices mothers make, and the societal/racial/economic circumstances surrounding motherhood including surrogacy, adoption, abortion, miscarriages. I really liked this book.