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saboyer's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Fascinating premise and great archetypes of maids in Singapore, the wealth disparity and caste, but the characters themselves were sort of thin.
kappafrog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book did an excellent job at shining a light on the varied experiencies of Filipina women working as domestic servants in Singapore. The three main characters allowed for a wide range of examples. I particularly liked the nuances of Ma'am Elizabeth and Cora's relationship, such as the scene in the Italian restaurant.
I was very gripped by this book in the first half. The second half I started to lose interest somewhat, partially due to some bad triggers (I wish there was an option on StoryGraph for voyeurism/sexual surveillance, which is an important part of this novel and is hard to cover by the existing content warning list). I found some of Donita's actions a little hard to believe when it came to snooping around the Hongs' house. The ending was a little anticlimactic too when it came to the murder case - I wish we'd seen some more of how that all went in the end.
I first learned about Singapore's underclass of migrant workers at an ethnomusicology conference that discussed how important Sunday music-making was to those communities since it was a rare opportunity for freedom. This book really gave a strong sense of that, showing the multilayered community the women were part of in Singapore. A far cry from the undergraduate I once knew, fresh from Singapore, who confidently told me there are no poor people in Singapore!! I appreciated the investigation into queer angles in this book as well.
The book had so many heavy themes that I didn't find the second half enjoyable at all - I just wanted to see what happened. That's why my rating isn't as high as it could be. However, I recommend this book for its searing insights into an often-overlooked and mistreated population that has many rich stories to tell.
I was very gripped by this book in the first half. The second half I started to lose interest somewhat, partially due to some bad triggers (I wish there was an option on StoryGraph for voyeurism/sexual surveillance, which is an important part of this novel and is hard to cover by the existing content warning list). I found some of Donita's actions a little hard to believe when it came to snooping around the Hongs' house. The ending was a little anticlimactic too when it came to the murder case - I wish we'd seen some more of how that all went in the end.
I first learned about Singapore's underclass of migrant workers at an ethnomusicology conference that discussed how important Sunday music-making was to those communities since it was a rare opportunity for freedom. This book really gave a strong sense of that, showing the multilayered community the women were part of in Singapore. A far cry from the undergraduate I once knew, fresh from Singapore, who confidently told me there are no poor people in Singapore!! I appreciated the investigation into queer angles in this book as well.
The book had so many heavy themes that I didn't find the second half enjoyable at all - I just wanted to see what happened. That's why my rating isn't as high as it could be. However, I recommend this book for its searing insights into an often-overlooked and mistreated population that has many rich stories to tell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Medical content, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Blood, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
g_knowlsie's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
spruce_moose's review against another edition
2.0
I got close to being done with this. Not impelled enough to finish. The world I was introduced to is new and I love the perspective I now have, however the way the story is arranged, characters expounded on and first reveal doesn't interest me enough to finish this now.
durablepigments's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hpnyknits's review against another edition
4.0
Sheds a light on modern slavery. Brave and capable women come from the Philippine to Singapore and work in terrible conditions to send money to their families.
karenstory's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book on my weekly visit to my local public library for books. I was interested in reading this author because I really enjoyed her book, “Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4915355566
Sometimes you never know if an author can recreate the energy they brought to their writing for their third novel, but I was ready to find out.
Once again, the author takes us into a story with strong and relatable characters and an engaging plot.
It is also seeped with a compelling message that explores oppression and class disparities amongst domestic workers and their employers and the exploitation of immigrant labor.
And then of course, throw in a bit of a murder mystery, and it becomes even more intriguing with sleuthing maids.
Disturbing. Challenging. And yet…a story of courage and hope. A must read!
Sometimes you never know if an author can recreate the energy they brought to their writing for their third novel, but I was ready to find out.
Once again, the author takes us into a story with strong and relatable characters and an engaging plot.
It is also seeped with a compelling message that explores oppression and class disparities amongst domestic workers and their employers and the exploitation of immigrant labor.
And then of course, throw in a bit of a murder mystery, and it becomes even more intriguing with sleuthing maids.
Disturbing. Challenging. And yet…a story of courage and hope. A must read!
lottie1803's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jordynkw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, and Murder
thatcozycoffeecup's review against another edition
5.0
Amazingly researched and opened my perspective to understand foreign workers from the Philippines more.