Reviews

I had to suspend my disbelief too much. You're telling me that CPS is effective? That a father is put on a year-long detention because his son fell out of a tree? You're telling me the government is willing to fund the "rehabilitation" of someone who had a sink filled with dirty dishes? I guess it's making a point about how people are really tough on mothers, but I don't know if showing it like this is believable. I was also a little confused at the way Frida and Tucker were framed as selfish - it's better for kids to grow up in two-parent households so why couldn't they make Frida roleplay that?

Halfway through, it got repetitive as well: Frida works through a class, has a terrible call with Harriet, gets a poor grade. Repeat.

I heard reviewers calling this book average but decided to give it a chance because the premise sounded interesting. I'm disappointed - good premise, but I don't think the execution was great. I feel like my main gripe with the book was that it was kinda shallow in its commentary. Don't get me wrong, it does cover a good range of topics - sexism, racism, generational trauma, some gender essentialism - but a deep dive just was not there.

mialicia's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I think it's the fastest I've read one of its length? The premise is intriguing, the idea of the school and how mothers are scrutinized very Handmaid's Tale-esque. Almost like a prequel to it. I was beyond frustrated the entire time reading it; for the mothers, for Frida, for everyone except the men, really. It was all completely unfair and cruel, what these people were doing. How it was so obviously wrong. I wanted to learn more about the world at large, the dolls, what happens next. I won't ever read it again because it's too depressing and heart-breaking, but the writing was excellent, and the idea of love presented in such a visceral way.

chldgn's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this book and grew to like the characters. I had a great deal of sympathy for Frida and the other mothers in the school after getting to know them a bit better. But I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending. I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending. I do wish it could have been happier and gone in Frida’s favour. I was really rooting for her.

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