"Maid" - Book Review

 

★★★★☆

The overall story of a mother and daughter surviving in this world that is so pinned against their success is beautiful. I choose to listen to this book voiced by the author, and it gave a whole new emotion, hearing the words come directly from her you know she meant every sentence. This story hit very close to home for me growing up with a single mother and hoping that she would choose me in every situation. Stephanie always put her daughter first and that is truly an admirable characteristic to have. In many situations she could have been selfish and choose to let Jamie have full custody in order to live her dreams. But she chooses to live her dreams with her daughter in them and was able to accomplish everything she wanted.

I read the reviews for this book on Goodreads and a lot of comments placed the blame on the mother, questioning her every decision. I think what people need to think about is just because someone is poor does not mean they don't deserve nice things too. I grew up in a low-income household, my mother could never hold a job so most of my life was covered by my grandparents. They made sure I had clothes on my back and food in my stomach. I will forever be grateful that they cared for me in a time that my mother should have been. I know what it was like to have food stamps and be looked down on for greasy hair due to water being turned off or wearing the same pink jacket because it was the only one that I owned. The feeling of tearing through the cabinets and freezer hoping to find something to eat that wasn't already expired or moldy. It shapes you as a person, and if I had an extra $100 to my name you best believe I was going to use that for myself. Even now as an adult with debt and bills towering over me in a broken economy, what is life to live for if I don't get to enjoy something for myself every once in a while. 

I look forward to the sequel to this book, I hope to hear more of Stephanies and Mias journey through their lives. I am proud and envious of the success and hope to have a chance just like them one day.