Only Three Wednesdays left in 2023

We only have three Wednesdays left in 2023! Let’s dedicate one of those Wednesdays to another book about motherhood.

Now.. this book was first recommended to me by my friend Nancy who said she loved this book, and Nancy said not to trust the Good Reads reviews. It is currently sitting at 3.55 on Good Reads. My favourite cousin in law then told me it was a terrible book. She didn’t go as far to say that I shouldn’t read it but it was already on my list and a bad recommendation is nearly as good as a good recommendation right? I am always interested in a polarising novel. If you delve into the reviews of this one, you will see it is very much a mixed bag. The fact I am writing about it is because I really enjoyed it. This was 5 stars from me, just like my favourite cousin in laws Uber rating. Nancy and I might be in the minority for this one! If you’ve read it, I would love to know what you thought?

The controversial novel is I am talking about this week is The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan. This is a hard-hitting debut novel that delves deeply into the intricacies and pressures of modern motherhood. The story follows Frida Liu, a Chinese American mother navigating the complexities of single parenthood. After a lapse in judgment resulting from exhaustion and stress, Frida faces the harsh reality of having her daughter, Harriet, taken into custody. The novel takes a dark turn as Frida is sent to a reform school for mothers deemed unfit, where she is forced to undergo rigorous training to prove her worthiness as a parent.

This is almost a prison story crossed with a dystopian drama. I couldn’t help but think of The Handmaids Tale while reading this – another book that I love. I really appreciated the satirical exploration of societal norms.  I think this book effectively portrays the mummy-shaming culture and unrealistic expectations placed on mothers, highlighting how society often demands perfection from them, especially when compared to fathers. In the school, Frida and other mothers are subjected to intense scrutiny, not only of their actions but also of their thoughts and feelings, in a disturbing display of surveillance and control​​​​.

I can appreciate why people would not enjoy this book. It is confronting and brings to the forefront the immense pressures and judgements that mothers face, and the dystopian setting amplifies this. I think this book will evoke strong emotional responses. If you like your books neat and tidy where everything is wrapped up in a bow, this book is not for you. If you want something thought provoking and confronting, and if you enjoy books like The Handmaids Tale, then give The School For Good Mothers a go.

I could not put this down. I really enjoyed Chan’s writing style and will be on the lookout for her next book, because life is too short to read bad books.

P.S To close the loop, I did not predict the winner of the Booker Prize. It did go to one of the Paul’s - Prophet Song took it out.