A review by stellahadz
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A gripping and haunting story about the way society judges mothers. It's dystopian but on a small scale; it imagines a world that's just like ours, but just one step further. Any woman judged to be a "bad" mother for any reason ranging from physical abuse to coddling, is sent to a "school," ostensibly to be rehabilitated. This book is simultaneously a commentary on the unfair treatment of women deemed to be "bad mothers" and on the carceral system. It is difficult to read at times because of how harshly these women are criticized by the "instructors" and how heartbroken they are to be separated from their children all while being told they are bad people whose children are better off without them. Although I don't have kids yet, I really felt for Frida; the author captures her feelings and thoughts in such a relatable way. It made me think of how easily this story could play out in the world we live in, and how it already does play out for a lot of people. We treat all people who have done "bad" things the same way - sentencing them to prison time and telling them they are irredeemably awful people - regardless of the severity of their offense or any explanation that might exist for their behavior. When it comes to parenting and other situations where women are expected to be loving and selfless and happy at all times, the judgment of other people can start to feel like a mental prison. The School for Good Mothers is excellent food for thought about what the world would look like if we were less judgmental and more supportive of people whose behavior we don't understand or approve of. 
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