Reviews

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

lisakerd's review against another edition

4.0

Very intriguing premise, the novel is good food for thought on the social commentary of parenting. I thought this book would stress me out, being a stay-at-home mom. But the ridiculously high standards of the “school” were laughable, and honestly not healthy (i.e. your child’s emotional needs always need to come before your own).
The choppy writing style is not normally one I enjoy, but I thought it worked for this book.
Needless to say, I hugged my child tighter after finishing the book.

jenhurst's review against another edition

3.0

I think the basic idea of this book was good and I love a good feminist book. But overall I just don’t think this book stands out amongst the other feminist scifi that I’ve read.

offbrandmusclemilk's review against another edition

4.0

This was honestly deeply disturbing and would make for an excellent TV series.

jfearing5's review against another edition

3.0

Terrifying. Read this if you’re looking for a story between Handmaids and 1984 in a world that’s very believable. Writing was a little inconsistent, but I appreciate how the author helped me care and have empathy for people and situations that, I believe, society says we don’t have to have empathy for. Plus, an ending that I didn’t expect. Don’t read if you have to be in a good mood though lol.

Spoiler below

I could have done without the robots. I think it would have been far more heartbreaking and terrifying(and believable) if the program used children in foster care as the training children, and would reiterate how the system that claims to protect often treats as disposable. Overall I loved it but the synthetic children did weaken it for me a little.

hannahmwilliams's review against another edition

1.0

For 3/4 of this book I was obsessed and enthralled and completely taken by the story.

Then, frida gets distracted and ruins her chances and rebels in the absolute most reckless way possible, after everything.

I’m so sad; I loved so much of it but it was irrevocably ruined by the rushed ending, lack of resolve, and utter failure to acknowledge any of the toxicity or heavier material that makes up most of the book. Damn.

katelinpro's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

litteratursara's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

pisces_angel's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 bruh i can’t believe she pulled that shit at the end

karinlee123's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

eliimellie26's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A dystopian reality that explores parenthood and what it means to be a good mother. Even in this dystopia, the expectations placed to mothers are gar greater than the expectations placed on fathers, even tho, both face difficulties and challenges.