In Stephanie Land’s Maid, the world can be a cruel place. Detailed her memoir, Land becomes a single mother at age 28, right before she plans to go off to college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. It seems as though her dreams come to a screeching halt for several years, as she navigates raising her young daughter virtually alone. When she moves out of the camper where she was living with her abusive boyfriend, she is left to seek refuge in a homeless shelter, where the book begins.
Although at first glance, Maid seems to be a book written about poverty and the broken welfare system in America, it is more a story of motherhood. Mia, Land’s daughter, is often the only light in her life. Her support system is nonexistent, with the only true constant in her life being Mia’s father, who continues the abuse. Land works tirelessly to earn an income that will allow her and her daughter to survive. To say she’s hardworking seems to be so much of an understatement, it is almost condescending.
Land works cleaning houses, and describes the relationships or lack thereof she has with her clients. Some treat her as if she doesn’t exist, or with disgust, and some are generous and kind. It seems to be a metaphor for something larger; although Land faces unbearable cruelty, she also finds those who treat her with great kindness and empathy. Her parents almost ignore her existence, and strangers judge her grocery store purchases when they see the WIC coupons. However, her boss at the cleaning company she works for looks out for her, and their daycare provider was the first person to ever tell her she was a wonderful mother.
I would give Maid five out of five stars. I truly believe that every single individual in America, most especially those who have never struggled with poverty, needs to read this book. It has filled me with anger at the injustice of the different political and social systems and the inhumanity of so many Land encounters. This book is the greatest testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the great capacity of a mother's love.
Land’s first person narrative gives Maid a personal tone, and makes you feel as if you are right beside her as she strives to provide the best life she can for her daughter. The social criticism is sharp, as she describes the discrimination she faced buying food with government assistance, and attitudes of inferiority directed at her and her daughter. The book is more than inspirational, as you remember that Land not only speaks for the life she has lived, but for the millions who live similar ones. It takes great strength to put your entire life out in a book — to be so vulnerable — and Land does it with grace, leaving you with one lingering thought: her heroism.
Although at first glance, Maid seems to be a book written about poverty and the broken welfare system in America, it is more a story of motherhood. Mia, Land’s daughter, is often the only light in her life. Her support system is nonexistent, with the only true constant in her life being Mia’s father, who continues the abuse. Land works tirelessly to earn an income that will allow her and her daughter to survive. To say she’s hardworking seems to be so much of an understatement, it is almost condescending.
Land works cleaning houses, and describes the relationships or lack thereof she has with her clients. Some treat her as if she doesn’t exist, or with disgust, and some are generous and kind. It seems to be a metaphor for something larger; although Land faces unbearable cruelty, she also finds those who treat her with great kindness and empathy. Her parents almost ignore her existence, and strangers judge her grocery store purchases when they see the WIC coupons. However, her boss at the cleaning company she works for looks out for her, and their daycare provider was the first person to ever tell her she was a wonderful mother.
I would give Maid five out of five stars. I truly believe that every single individual in America, most especially those who have never struggled with poverty, needs to read this book. It has filled me with anger at the injustice of the different political and social systems and the inhumanity of so many Land encounters. This book is the greatest testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the great capacity of a mother's love.
Land’s first person narrative gives Maid a personal tone, and makes you feel as if you are right beside her as she strives to provide the best life she can for her daughter. The social criticism is sharp, as she describes the discrimination she faced buying food with government assistance, and attitudes of inferiority directed at her and her daughter. The book is more than inspirational, as you remember that Land not only speaks for the life she has lived, but for the millions who live similar ones. It takes great strength to put your entire life out in a book — to be so vulnerable — and Land does it with grace, leaving you with one lingering thought: her heroism.