The School for Good Mothers
'a Handmaid's Tale for the 21st Century' India Knight
By: Jessamine Chan
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AN OBAMA'S 2022 SUMMER READING PICK 'Will resonate with fans of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere' ELLE 'Destined to be a feminist classic - kept me up at night' PANDORA SYKES 'The Handmaid's Tale for the Squid Game generation' TELEGRAPH Frida Liu had fed and changed her toddler Harriet. She had a work deadline - an article to finish, a job hanging by a thread, a file she'd left in the office. She would go get it. Harriet would be fine. But then the neighbours heard her crying. Soon, the state will decide that Frida is not fit to care for her daughter. That she must be re-trained. That bad mothers everywhere will be re-educated. Will their mistakes cost them everything? The School for Good Mothers is an explosive and thrilling novel about love, perfectionism and parenthood. A riveting, thought-provoking read' DAILY MAIL 'A remarkable, propulsive novel' VOGUE 'A portrait of our fanatical culture of judgement against women, and mothers in particular' METRO
AI Overview
Plot Summary: "The School for Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan is a dystopian novel that explores the themes of motherhood, control, and the societal expectations placed on mothers. The story revolves around Frida Liu, a first-generation Chinese American mother of a mixed-race toddler named Harriet. The plot begins with a pivotal moment when Frida leaves Harriet alone for a short period to get a coffee, which is misinterpreted by Child Protective Services as abandonment. This incident leads to Frida losing temporary custody of Harriet and being sent to a government-run rehabilitation program for mothers deemed "bad."
At the program, known as the "School for Good Mothers," Frida and other mothers are subjected to extreme control and psychological torment. They are forced to wear prison-like jumpsuits, have their phones and computers tracked, and are monitored constantly. The program aims to erase the mothers' individuality and autonomy, forcing them to repeat mantras that reinforce their perceived failures as mothers.
Throughout the year-long program, Frida struggles to maintain her identity and connection with Harriet. She is given limited visits with Harriet, which are often rushed and distressing for both mother and child. The mothers are also subjected to lessons that test their ability to focus on tasks rather than their children, further highlighting the impossible expectations placed on them.
The novel culminates with Frida's determination to regain custody of Harriet, despite the program's relentless attempts to break her spirit. The story raises questions about the nature of motherhood, the role of the state in controlling family dynamics, and the psychological toll of such control on individuals.
Key Themes:
- Motherhood and Expectations: The novel explores the societal expectations placed on mothers and the impossibility of meeting these standards.
- Control and Autonomy: The government's control over the mothers' lives, including their thoughts, actions, and emotions, is a central theme.
- Identity Erasure: The program's goal of erasing the mothers' individuality and autonomy is a powerful commentary on the loss of self in the face of societal pressure.
- Psychological Torment: The psychological manipulation and torment inflicted on the mothers serve as a metaphor for the emotional toll of societal expectations.
Critical Reception:
- Dystopian Commentary: Critics have praised the book for its thought-provoking commentary on contemporary society, particularly in regards to the treatment of mothers and the role of the state in family dynamics.
- Psychological Insight: Reviewers have noted the novel's deep psychological insight into the experiences of mothers under extreme pressure, highlighting the emotional and psychological torment inflicted by the program.
- Disturbing Realism: Many reviewers have found the depiction of the program to be disturbingly realistic, reflecting concerns about the potential for similar programs in real life.
Overall, "The School for Good Mothers" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to consider the complexities of motherhood and the societal pressures that shape it.