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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Pedophilia
Having read and really liked [b:The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters|40908064|The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552458838l/40908064._SY75_.jpg|63774527], I was curious to see what else Jaswal had written and picked up her latest novel. I appreciated the unfamiliar-to-me setting of Singapore and was definitely swept up in Cora, Donita, and Angel's lives as domestic workers from the Phillipines there.
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
"Imagine if we all stopped working. Imagine what would happen to this country. Angel has fantasized about this scenario. Those skyline centrepieces would shine only in an architect’s imagination; that reclaimed land on the island’s edge would once more be underwater. In houses, dishes would become crusty with old food stains, curtains would grow furry coats of dust, and plants would shrivel into nothingness. Mustiness would replace the smell of air freshener and clean laundry."
I'm always grateful to a book for opening my eyes to a world I know little about, and this definitely did that. Told from the perspective of three domestic maids who were sent to Singapore to serve wealthy homes, the novel alternates through the three households, and the reader even gets a (small) murder mystery. Mostly, I was engaged with the stories of Cora, Donita, and Angel; I liked seeing their friendship and learning about their histories. The social commentary was also interesting, although, by the halfway point of the novel, I was tired of hearing from the Facebook group, and felt like certain things (like Miss Fann's character) was a bit too on-the nose.
(🎧 listened to audio)
I'm always grateful to a book for opening my eyes to a world I know little about, and this definitely did that. Told from the perspective of three domestic maids who were sent to Singapore to serve wealthy homes, the novel alternates through the three households, and the reader even gets a (small) murder mystery. Mostly, I was engaged with the stories of Cora, Donita, and Angel; I liked seeing their friendship and learning about their histories. The social commentary was also interesting, although, by the halfway point of the novel, I was tired of hearing from the Facebook group, and felt like certain things (like Miss Fann's character) was a bit too on-the nose.
(🎧 listened to audio)
***These are my random thoughts after finishing the book. Some of the thoughts are an overall review of the book, or any questions/feelings that nagged at me throughout. There will almost definitely be spoilers. Read at your own risk.*** ‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.5 stars down
Mainly social commentary with a little mystery thrown in
Mrs.Fann is the worst
Wish there was more time given to Cora
How dare Jacqueline
3.5 stars down
Mainly social commentary with a little mystery thrown in
Mrs.Fann is the worst
Wish there was more time given to Cora
How dare Jacqueline
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Slavery
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4 stars.
Yet another great read recommended by my sister.
Now You See Us is a MUST-READ for anyone who has spent time as an expat in Asia. After 14 years as an expat living in 4 different, but very similar to Singapore SE Asian cities, this book impacted me in ways I might not have predicted.
Now You See Us tells the story of a group of Filipina Foreign Domestic Workers living in Singapore. It is fictionalized, but the accounts ring so true that I can imagine reading any of these womens' tales or having heard them firsthand.
Even if you have no history living overseas, this is the story of marginalization of one group of people, of the unfairness of societal norms and also of human connection.
I could not stop listening to this story. I wish it had been longer.
Yet another great read recommended by my sister.
Now You See Us is a MUST-READ for anyone who has spent time as an expat in Asia. After 14 years as an expat living in 4 different, but very similar to Singapore SE Asian cities, this book impacted me in ways I might not have predicted.
Now You See Us tells the story of a group of Filipina Foreign Domestic Workers living in Singapore. It is fictionalized, but the accounts ring so true that I can imagine reading any of these womens' tales or having heard them firsthand.
Even if you have no history living overseas, this is the story of marginalization of one group of people, of the unfairness of societal norms and also of human connection.
I could not stop listening to this story. I wish it had been longer.