The School for Good Mothers

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Frida Liu, a 39-year-old Chinese-American single mother in Philadelphia, faces a crisis when Child Protective Services intervenes after a particularly stressful period with her 18-month-old daughter, Harriet. Following a series of unfortunate supervised visits, a judge declares Frida temporarily unfit to care for her child. To regain custody, she must navigate a new government program designed to retrain mothers deemed unfit. This twelve-month live-in program, located on an abandoned college campus, aims to teach Frida and other mothers how to parent correctly. The narrative explores the complexities of motherhood, societal expectations, and the harsh realities of the child protective system. With a blend of literary depth and thriller-like tension, the story examines the notion of redemption for those labeled as "bad mothers." It critiques the idealized version of upper-middle-class American parenting through the lens of a character shaped by immigrant experiences. The book delves into profound emotional themes while incorporating elements of horror and speculative fiction, creating a striking resonance for readers who grapple with the challenges of motherhood and societal judgment.