63 pages • 2 hours read
The School for Good Mothers
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
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.
Unnerving
Dark
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
126,414 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
126,414 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
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