The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Whoah. I'm not really sure. In fact, I'm possibly deeply troubled by a lot of what I've read in this novel. It's gripping in an uncomfortable way, terrifying with how close it is to a familiar reality but also deeply sad since it addresses sensitive social issues. The novel is a fantastic dystopian tale, but not a kind one. It's Jessamine Chan's debut and although I hope she chooses to write about something far removed from this initial topic in her next novels, I feel this first writing of hers is brave and compelling.
It reminded me in places of Ken Kesey's 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest' though with far more female characters deserving of empathy. A little like Laline Paull's 'The Bees' but with far more realistic settings and a context that is truly probable, the story is simple and some have said slow. Yet, each stage of the poor protagonist mother's retraining of maternal instincts and the setbacks she constantly faces wreak of injustice and discrimination.
'A portrait of our fanatical culture of judgement against women, and mothers in particular' [Metro]
'A Handmaid's Tale for the 21st century' [India Knight]
'Will resonate with fans of Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere' [Elle]
review by Christina Francis-Gilbert
The Accidental Tourist by Ann Tyler
Contextually, this novel is a true and honest representation of 1980s family life. The characters are plain, unassuming and set in their ways, a little boring if anything. However, the way Ann Tyler feeds the reader with snippets of character profiles, idiosyncracies and habits of her characters in a gentle but steady manner throughout her early chapters feeds a reader addiction for her characters. We are led to question why particular family members react in certain ways to each other and what characters' motives have been, are and will be in their futures.
Ann Tyler's choice of setting is visually strong and timeless because she picks on the smallest of details to emphasise the weather or significance of place to her storylines.
I was drawn to read this novel since it has a male protagonist and I was also pleased to read the methods Tyler uses to comment on relationships and the contrariness of humans. Grief, unhappiness, marriage, parenthood and pet ownership are also themes that are touched upon in this simple but poignant novel.
The description of the aeroplane, its central characters of Sarah, Muriel and Macon, and their travels in Paris in the final chapter was an enjoyable way for the novel to end.
A favourite novelist of my mother-in-law who has recently passed away. I will sorely miss our book chats, hence I intend on reading many of her recommended titles such as this one. I know she also had A Spool of Blue Thread and hope to read her copy.
review by Christina Francis-Gilbert
Murder at the Book Club by Betsy Reavley
