Book Review: Maid

I read this book in 24 hours.

It's rare that a book pulls me in like that, and it's a rarity I read a book in it's entirety. I love to read because I like getting to know people through stories whether that's through New Adult fiction books or memoirs like this one.

I'd seen a review of this book on Instagram a few months back. Then I saw the poster of the Netflix T.V. Series. I knew enough about the book to refuse to watch the show out of fear of how graphic it could be and the unknown details of the author's real life story.

I searched the for the book at the public library. I wanted to know Stephanie's story.

I rate this memoir a 4/5 stars.

As I read, I felt sad, grateful, selfish, refreshed and in awe. My grandmother was a housekeeper. I've paid women to clean my home. I worked a job where I saw the worse of people's homes.

I think what I can't shake about this book is the sobering of my mind when it comes to government help, struggle and my lack of appreciation for basic needs.

I'm in the middle of moving to an apartment that costs about as much one of the apartments Stephanie has to jump through hoops for. I have family that are my safety net. I have friends and a boyfriend that are there for me if times ever get rough.

At one pointe she writes that she never had that.

I became sad reading about how her mother abandoned her and her father just couldn't help as much as he wanted to.

It was a very matter-of-fact, regular story about a women who made the effort to move forward, and a lot of the time it was because she just had no choice.

I'm work in community service, and I help foster youth transition into adult. Stephanie shares some of the comments her case workers said to her and how it made her feel. 

I think I read this book at the best time.

I want to pay attention to all of the things I don't have that I want.

Stephanie lived most of her life needing things she didn't have.

I'll consider every part my role plays in those who are literally in need.

I'll consider every part my role plays in those who work hard and it's still not enough.

10/10 recommend.

What an honor to know her story.