I'm only a couple chapters in to Mothers, but it is definitely tackling a lot of things. I'll report back more when I've finished! It's compelling, to say the least.
Do you have children? I'm super interested in how it's received by mothers and non-mothers -- if there's any difference in opinion there (or any that could be called a pattern, versus individual opinion).
I do not, but that's a great discussion point! I already feel like the reaction was a bit larger than the crime (though it was bad, yes), but I do wonder how mothers react to the same thing!
I would never have done what she did -- never -- but agree totally that the reaction was larger than the crime. I think that was the point, and playing up that outsized response/penalty is obviously a part of Chan's cultural commentary, not to mention the drama of the plot, but I found it kind of... pretentious? It felt heavy-handed rather than artful, and the tone (not to mention the idea itself) wore on me by the end.
Oooh. Highway of Tears looks fascinating.
The School for Good Mothers left me cold. I'm glad I read it but there was much of it that seemed overdone to me.
Highway of Tears looks like a must-read -- putting it on hold right now.
I'm only a couple chapters in to Mothers, but it is definitely tackling a lot of things. I'll report back more when I've finished! It's compelling, to say the least.
Do you have children? I'm super interested in how it's received by mothers and non-mothers -- if there's any difference in opinion there (or any that could be called a pattern, versus individual opinion).
I do not, but that's a great discussion point! I already feel like the reaction was a bit larger than the crime (though it was bad, yes), but I do wonder how mothers react to the same thing!
I would never have done what she did -- never -- but agree totally that the reaction was larger than the crime. I think that was the point, and playing up that outsized response/penalty is obviously a part of Chan's cultural commentary, not to mention the drama of the plot, but I found it kind of... pretentious? It felt heavy-handed rather than artful, and the tone (not to mention the idea itself) wore on me by the end.