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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
A very quick and easy read for me but compelling characters, 3 Philippino maids working in Singapore, with a unique perspective. The clever murder mystery to kept the plot moving, but the stories of the women and their complex relationships with their employers were the star.
Eye-opening portrayal of three Filipina domestic workers in Singapore who, despite their very distinct personalities and circumstances, become friends. As their friendship deepens, they go beyond mere pleasantries and begin to uncover the sexism, classism, racism and particular forms of silencing and isolation that each face in their own ways. And I know this review sounds heavy so far, and this is a heavy book, but it is also a book of three really fun young women who believe in themselves fiercely and fight for a life they can enjoy.
And there’s even a murder mystery! And some very satisfying comeuppance at the end.
There are definitely a few moments where the clues to solving the mystery are a little too conveniently revealed and some moments where readers need to slightly suspend their disbelief, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot in the process. In particular, the portrayal of the benevolent employer was well done — she was both admirable and her own kind of problematic. I love that kind of paradox because it reveals how much of systemic power is hard to deconstruct, even with the best of intentions.
And there’s even a murder mystery! And some very satisfying comeuppance at the end.
There are definitely a few moments where the clues to solving the mystery are a little too conveniently revealed and some moments where readers need to slightly suspend their disbelief, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot in the process. In particular, the portrayal of the benevolent employer was well done — she was both admirable and her own kind of problematic. I love that kind of paradox because it reveals how much of systemic power is hard to deconstruct, even with the best of intentions.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
lighthearted
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:
N/A
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Abortion
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Made me emotional multiple times throughout. It’s such a beautiful and heartwarming story about 3 migrant Filipina maids in Singapore and the mistreatment and injustices that they experience. Set in the present. Being in the present is something I really enjoyed, and often found myself scandalized and shocked by. The way the women were being mistreated felt like something that should not exist in the modern era. Of course this stuff happens, but it’s always a shocking reminder.
I do feel like at times the pacing was poor. It was always everything at once or nothing. And I found it hard to keep track of each characters back story. I wish they backstories were revealed earlier so that I recalled the smaller details introduced in the beginning better. I definitely think this would’ve been easier to comprehend as a physical book so I could’ve gone back and rechecked things easier.
It is such a necessary story.
Overall beautiful and so glad I read this!
I do feel like at times the pacing was poor. It was always everything at once or nothing. And I found it hard to keep track of each characters back story. I wish they backstories were revealed earlier so that I recalled the smaller details introduced in the beginning better. I definitely think this would’ve been easier to comprehend as a physical book so I could’ve gone back and rechecked things easier.
It is such a necessary story.
Overall beautiful and so glad I read this!
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve liked other books of hers more but still liked this one. There was still an air of mystery and it was really interesting learning more about the lives of domestic workers
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
emotional
reflective
medium-paced