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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Classism
This was definitely a good book--I stayed up way too late to keep reading it and woke up early to finish it. I felt a bit bogged down here and there, but the overall feeling of discomfort and dread that the book instills in you kept the story moving. A solid 4/5.
Edit: apparently at some point I downgraded this book to a 3/5 so I guess we’ll go with that lol.
Edit: apparently at some point I downgraded this book to a 3/5 so I guess we’ll go with that lol.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“THE MOTHERS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO CELEBRATE THEIR BIRTHDAYS. They can only talk about themselves in relation to their children.”
This is a dystopia of the extreme policing of mothers. If you slip up even for a second, you’re sent to reform school where humanity is industrialised - human interactions, emotions, heart rate, speech, EVERYTHING is quantified and filed as data.
Oh you’re upset (because you’re separated from your child)? That’s bad parenting. Mothers are not supposed to be upset. Oh you’re heartbroken (because you’re separated from your child)? Based on our rubrics that’s a sign of depression, and puts you in the fair-to-poor bracket as a parent. Oh you think that’s unfair judgement and you’re angry (Because it is ridiculous to and unfair)? Rage will give you extra demerit points. You just lost the right to call your child for the next three months. The program that is meant to “help” you ends up keeping you there. Once you enter the system you are doomed to stay in the system.
It is also a commentary about the gender biases when it comes to parenting- dads get away with bad behaviour but mums are criticised to death for even breathing wrong. The expectations of mothers are that they have to be infallible- available, sharp, basically omnipresent, and paying attention to the smallest of detail- machines of their own. They are MOTHERS, therefore they are not allowed to complain/be tired/slip up like we all do. Once they become MOTHERS, they simply aren’t allowed to just be human.
I liked this read. It was infuriating and made me seethe. Would have been 5 stars if the reform school part didn’t feel so dragged out and repetitive. Overall still a very good read!!!
This is a dystopia of the extreme policing of mothers. If you slip up even for a second, you’re sent to reform school where humanity is industrialised - human interactions, emotions, heart rate, speech, EVERYTHING is quantified and filed as data.
Oh you’re upset (because you’re separated from your child)? That’s bad parenting. Mothers are not supposed to be upset. Oh you’re heartbroken (because you’re separated from your child)? Based on our rubrics that’s a sign of depression, and puts you in the fair-to-poor bracket as a parent. Oh you think that’s unfair judgement and you’re angry (Because it is ridiculous to and unfair)? Rage will give you extra demerit points. You just lost the right to call your child for the next three months. The program that is meant to “help” you ends up keeping you there. Once you enter the system you are doomed to stay in the system.
It is also a commentary about the gender biases when it comes to parenting- dads get away with bad behaviour but mums are criticised to death for even breathing wrong. The expectations of mothers are that they have to be infallible- available, sharp, basically omnipresent, and paying attention to the smallest of detail- machines of their own. They are MOTHERS, therefore they are not allowed to complain/be tired/slip up like we all do. Once they become MOTHERS, they simply aren’t allowed to just be human.
I liked this read. It was infuriating and made me seethe. Would have been 5 stars if the reform school part didn’t feel so dragged out and repetitive. Overall still a very good read!!!
A worthy companion to [b:The Handmaid’s Tale|38447|The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)|Margaret Atwood|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578028274l/38447._SY75_.jpg|1119185], but this time directed at the act of mothering. I wonder if I would have been a little more engaged if Chan had approached this in a way similar to Atwood, by using only actual historical or contemporary practices? The story was provocative but, I think, too long. You get it and then the author doubles and triples down on what's already clear.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Goodness me I did not like this book and if it wasn’t for the fact it was my monthly book club read I would have given up on it honestly.
I wish the school part had been pushed further tbh, and the ending felt a little disappointing I can’t lie.
I wish the school part had been pushed further tbh, and the ending felt a little disappointing I can’t lie.
It’s definitely a quick read (or listen, in my case) but I found the villains so one-note and some of the plot points so over the top that it often veered into cartoonish. Also, I know we’re supposed to have sympathy for Frida, but what she did to Harriet is inexcusable and I found her co-parents’ unwavering support of her despite everything unrealistic.
There is a lot to think about and dissect. Terrifying reality.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced