Our Score:★★★★★★✩✩✩✩
GENRE: Cultural Fiction
Selected by Pamela - May 2018
SYNOPSIS:
This is where she sleeps. A cupboard. A bedroom. A windowless box.'
Sisters Dolly and Tala have never felt further from home. In the blistering heat of Singapore, they spend their days enabling ex-pats to have lives they could never afford for themselves.
Even though she has little freedom, Dolly can just about live with her job if it means she's able to support her beloved young daughter back in the Philippines. One day - if she's lucky - Dolly may even be able to go back and see her.
Tala, however, just can't keep her mouth shut about the restrictive, archaic rules maids are forced to abide by on pain of deportation. She risks everything to help her fellow maids, who have struggled to have their voices heard for far too long.
In a world where domestic workers are treated so poorly, The Maid's Room explores how women can come together to change each other's lives, and be the architects of their own futures.
(Synopsis taken from Amazon)
REVIEW: (Contains spoilers)
Gemma's Thoughts:
This was an insightful read into the lives of both the expats living in Singapore and their maids. The contrast between their living conditions and quality of life was shocking. I guess I've never had reason to think about this subject before but the fact that a mother is looking after another woman's children to pay for the upkeep of her own, whilst being miles away is appalling. Imagine raising other people's children whilst your own are left being raised by your own parent. What a sacrifice to have to make! I couldn't believe that this still happened!
There was plenty of humour in the novel, mainly from Tala's character to balance the serious subject matter and it made it an enjoyable read. The Maid's Room is a book full of spirit, hope, courage, kindness, humour and sadness. A book that everyone needs to read.
Pamela'sThoughts:
Whilst I enjoyed the book, billed as a modern day The Help - I did not feel this was as good as Kathryn Stockett's book. I enjoyed reading about Dolly and Tala and their lives - however struggled to find affection for any of the expats that were employing them with exception of Jules.
Emma's Thoughts:
The Help is one of my favourite books (and films!) of all time, so I was very excited to read this... plus the cover is gorgeous. I've been to Singapore and have read some stories about how badly maids are treated in terms of their living conditions and pay, but 'behind closed doors and all that' I never really gave it much thought. To think this still goes on in the world is crazy but what a great book to bring it to everyone's attention. I loved the maids and their stories and loved Dolly's commitment to doing anything to support her daughter so far away. But Tala made the book for me and I was delighted with the ending! It's not as good as The Help, but seriously that would take some beating! I'd definitely recommend this book.
THE SCORES:
Emma: 7
Gemma: 7
Kim: 7
Nic: 5
Pamela: 6
Sandra: 6
Average 6
Let us know what you thought about this book. We would love to read your reviews and hear what you would score it.
If you enjoyed this book why not try:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini
Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies
Happy reading!