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avigail's review against another edition
3.75
There are books that I am happy that I borrow through the library. The Maid's Room is one of those books. The summary looks interesting, but the execution of the plot felt not engaging. On the other hand, it is important to read books with subject that open our minds on subject how people treat their domestic help because of status. The author's note is what made me give higher rating. If you don't like cheating in your books this book isn't for you.
dawndiscusses's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
julesbookjourney's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
3.0
indywrites's review
4.0
SERVE & SURVIVE
The human nature looks for comfort yet it denies this basic right to the ones who serve them. The Maid’s Room explores the lives of the housekeepers, through the eyes of two maids. It tells the employers point of view and that of the maids. It is a straightforward story but delivers a much-needed message. Maids are human as well, even though it might be forgotten by most employers. The book doesn’t say that all the employers are bad or unkind but it shows what the majority of the maids face—discrimination, abuse and no basic amenities.
Singapore is a bustling metropolis with the best facilities and opportunities and has more than 2 lakh maids employed by the locals and expats. The Maid’s Room is the story of two maids, sisters, Dolly and Tala working there and their lives in the country. How they are kept by the employers, where they stay, how they work, why they are maids and the attitude of their employers. They are treated as disposable, replaceable, even sexually objectified. Living in unventilated rooms without the bare necessities, taken for granted and not even given food on time. Passports confiscated and threatened at every step is the norm for these maids.
It is a battle of wits as well with Tala writing a blog called ‘Maidhacker’s Blog’ to refute the one run by a vindictive employer, called, ‘Vanda’s Blog’ who uses it as a medium for warning prospective employers against their maids, ‘Life as the Employer of a Foreign Domestic Helper’ and almost trolls the maids. Tala writes her blog in anger and to share their side of the story.
Dolly is the beautiful one, pretty and efficient and yet faces abuse, distrust and slander from her employer. Tala is the tough one, working herself to the limit, strong, outspoken and supportive of the other maids who cannot do anything in the face of their troubles.
The novel moves along with the blog posts by Vanda and Tala along with the lives of the sisters. Children throwing tantrums, parents dumping everything on an already bone-weary overworked maid, mothers ignoring their kids and their needs. Maids used as servants who are no better than slaves is the crux of the story. It is not just one maid’s story but all of them.
The Maid’s Room shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel for these women but not all are so lucky. Even though all the maids were shown in a positive light I am sure there have been cases where they have been wrong. Similarly, not all employers can be unjust and mean but such instances are far and few but such is life. The book has excellent narration and moves very fast and within a story of a few months, the author has managed to express so much. A little bit of flashback to set things in perspective made me more involved in their lives.
The characters of the employers and their husbands are well etched making them almost familiar. Humans and their frailties all come through in this book. The descriptions are so real that I could feel the stuffy room, the humid air and the roads filled with bougainvillaea. I had visited Singapore a few months ago and I loved the city, its ambience, the fun, youthful vibe but now I realise I did see a lot of maids who I thought to be the natives. Malls, parks, gardens, even the local shops but now after reading the book, I see it all in a different light.
The book ends on a positive note, reminding us that good things happen, change comes when we talk about it, work for it and speak out. The Maid’s Room is a strong statement for the rights of these maids—second class people in a first class country. All efforts, big or small add up for bringing a positive change.
Read it and you will see so much more than just a servant or maid the next time someone serves you. There is no greater work than working with our hands and we must respect that always. We all know, the difficult tasks, the time-consuming work is all delegated, we just supervise and enjoy the fruits of their labour, no foul if they ask for a weekly off or a decent meal.
The human nature looks for comfort yet it denies this basic right to the ones who serve them. The Maid’s Room explores the lives of the housekeepers, through the eyes of two maids. It tells the employers point of view and that of the maids. It is a straightforward story but delivers a much-needed message. Maids are human as well, even though it might be forgotten by most employers. The book doesn’t say that all the employers are bad or unkind but it shows what the majority of the maids face—discrimination, abuse and no basic amenities.
Singapore is a bustling metropolis with the best facilities and opportunities and has more than 2 lakh maids employed by the locals and expats. The Maid’s Room is the story of two maids, sisters, Dolly and Tala working there and their lives in the country. How they are kept by the employers, where they stay, how they work, why they are maids and the attitude of their employers. They are treated as disposable, replaceable, even sexually objectified. Living in unventilated rooms without the bare necessities, taken for granted and not even given food on time. Passports confiscated and threatened at every step is the norm for these maids.
It is a battle of wits as well with Tala writing a blog called ‘Maidhacker’s Blog’ to refute the one run by a vindictive employer, called, ‘Vanda’s Blog’ who uses it as a medium for warning prospective employers against their maids, ‘Life as the Employer of a Foreign Domestic Helper’ and almost trolls the maids. Tala writes her blog in anger and to share their side of the story.
Dolly is the beautiful one, pretty and efficient and yet faces abuse, distrust and slander from her employer. Tala is the tough one, working herself to the limit, strong, outspoken and supportive of the other maids who cannot do anything in the face of their troubles.
The novel moves along with the blog posts by Vanda and Tala along with the lives of the sisters. Children throwing tantrums, parents dumping everything on an already bone-weary overworked maid, mothers ignoring their kids and their needs. Maids used as servants who are no better than slaves is the crux of the story. It is not just one maid’s story but all of them.
The Maid’s Room shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel for these women but not all are so lucky. Even though all the maids were shown in a positive light I am sure there have been cases where they have been wrong. Similarly, not all employers can be unjust and mean but such instances are far and few but such is life. The book has excellent narration and moves very fast and within a story of a few months, the author has managed to express so much. A little bit of flashback to set things in perspective made me more involved in their lives.
The characters of the employers and their husbands are well etched making them almost familiar. Humans and their frailties all come through in this book. The descriptions are so real that I could feel the stuffy room, the humid air and the roads filled with bougainvillaea. I had visited Singapore a few months ago and I loved the city, its ambience, the fun, youthful vibe but now I realise I did see a lot of maids who I thought to be the natives. Malls, parks, gardens, even the local shops but now after reading the book, I see it all in a different light.
The book ends on a positive note, reminding us that good things happen, change comes when we talk about it, work for it and speak out. The Maid’s Room is a strong statement for the rights of these maids—second class people in a first class country. All efforts, big or small add up for bringing a positive change.
Read it and you will see so much more than just a servant or maid the next time someone serves you. There is no greater work than working with our hands and we must respect that always. We all know, the difficult tasks, the time-consuming work is all delegated, we just supervise and enjoy the fruits of their labour, no foul if they ask for a weekly off or a decent meal.
moonykitten's review
5.0
Man, this was just so good! the pages flew by so fast. If you like the Help, you`ll really like this one! Trust me :D
We get to know so many characters in a short while, but it`s not anything wrong with that because they kind of attatch to you right away. I just needed to know what happened to the three women: Jules, Tala and Dolly. I really liked that we got some insight to the other women as well, but those were the characters i cared most for.
We get to know so many characters in a short while, but it`s not anything wrong with that because they kind of attatch to you right away. I just needed to know what happened to the three women: Jules, Tala and Dolly. I really liked that we got some insight to the other women as well, but those were the characters i cared most for.
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