63 pages 2 hours read

Jessamine Chan

The School for Good Mothers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Jessamine Chan's dystopian novel The School for Good Mothers, Frida's one parenting mistake causes her to lose custody of her daughter, Harriet, and she is sent to a year-long, live-in rehabilitation program by Child Protective Services where she learns to be a "good" mother under extreme conditions with AI dolls resembling their real children, ultimately undergoing emotional and psychological challenges to regain her child's custody.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

In her debut novel The School for Good Mothers, Jessamine Chan delivers a powerful exploration of parental expectations and systemic control. Praised for its gripping narrative and emotional depth, the book has also faced criticism for its pacing and some underdeveloped elements. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and timely examination of motherhood.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The School for Good Mothers?

A reader captivated by dystopian tales exploring motherhood, societal expectations, and personal freedom would enjoy The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan. Fans of The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro would find similar thematic intensity and ethical dilemmas.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Fantasy

Modern Classic Fiction

Topics

Parenting

Themes

Relationships: Mothers

Identity: Mental Health

Values/Ideas: Science & Technology