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A review by crazytourists_books
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
I have very mixed feelings about this one. I will try to write my thoughts without spoilers and hope it will make sense.
For starters, I will say that I did feel for the protagonist, I have been in her shoes, feeling the constant pressure to handle everything, do great and longing for a break. I never did what she did, but I would lie if I said it never crossed my mind, because it did. All the expectations that society had from mothers are, sadly, very realistic and true. Everyone expect us to be perfect. To never get frustrated, never get angry, always put our kid(s) first, to forget that we (should) have a life that doesn't revolve around them. To always be there, never make mistakes, never complain and never ask for helps. Because we are mother, and mothers can do everything. Mothers can do wonders. At the same time, fathers, are expected to do the bare minimum and get praised for that. All these are true, and I have felt them day after day the last nine years that I have been a mother.
But even though part of the book was, painfully, realistic, another part wasn't. And it was way to long. Too many details. Way too many details. It could (and should) have been, maybe 8 chapters shorter? That would have been brilliant. And if only it was a first person narration...
For starters, I will say that I did feel for the protagonist, I have been in her shoes, feeling the constant pressure to handle everything, do great and longing for a break. I never did what she did, but I would lie if I said it never crossed my mind, because it did. All the expectations that society had from mothers are, sadly, very realistic and true. Everyone expect us to be perfect. To never get frustrated, never get angry, always put our kid(s) first, to forget that we (should) have a life that doesn't revolve around them. To always be there, never make mistakes, never complain and never ask for helps. Because we are mother, and mothers can do everything. Mothers can do wonders. At the same time, fathers, are expected to do the bare minimum and get praised for that. All these are true, and I have felt them day after day the last nine years that I have been a mother.
But even though part of the book was, painfully, realistic, another part wasn't. And it was way to long. Too many details. Way too many details. It could (and should) have been, maybe 8 chapters shorter? That would have been brilliant. And if only it was a first person narration...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Suicide