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

5.0

 

This book will be a hit or miss for readers, and very unlikely to be middle of the road. It was a hit for me and wow, I couldn’t get enough. 

 

Now if you’ve read it and didn’t like it, I understand why. But for those who haven’t, I will say, this is a challenging book because it makes you think and it makes you uncomfortable. When I read the last page, I sat alone with my thoughts for quite sometime. It was so fascinating yet maddening and I truly couldn’t get enough. 

 

I think this would be an awesome pick for a book club, but I guarantee about half the group would not finish it. 

 

This cute covered book divulges in a dystopian society that sadly can hit too close to home. While there is no “School for Good Mothers,” (unless readers interpreted it as prison), the expectations that are put on women if and when they decide to become mothers is absolutely on par. I say this as a woman with no children, but plenty of close friends who do have kids. 

 

Because of my experiences (or lack there of as a mother), I went on a rollercoaster of emotions. I was annoyed, shocked, sympathized with the mothers yet hated choices they made and it ultimately makes you question each scenario. Because while all these mothers are not “good,” each situation is vastly different which also brings the compare game to the forefront of any argument. 

 

Not only does this book compare mothers and fathers, but it also taps into motherhood among races and how racial bias is intertwined, along with family dynamics after a divorce, and so many other ways a family is created. 

 

I wish I could recommend this book to everyone, but I at least encourage you to look into it. If you haven’t read it and it seems interesting, go find a five star and one star review on Goodreads or Bookstgram to make your choice from there. 

 

Content warnings: child abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, abandonment, racism, miscarriage