The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Book Name: The housemaid book

Author: Freida McFadden

Publisher ‏ : ‎August 23, 2022

Category: Most Popular

• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538742578
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538742570
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 years 

Book Cover

Main Topic or Theme

The Housemaid is a satirical novel that explores issues of class, race, and gender in contemporary America. The book follows the life of Tena, an immigrant housemaid who works for a wealthy family in the suburbs of New York City.

Key Ideas or Arguments Presented

• The intersection of race, class, and gender in the United States.
• The exploitative nature of domestic work.
• The challenges faced by immigrants in America.
• The power dynamics between employers and domestic workers.

Chapter Titles or Main Sections of the Book with a Paragraph on Each

• Chapter 1: Tena’s Arrival: The book opens with Tena’s arrival in America and her first impressions of the country.
• Chapter 2: The Job: Tena starts her job as a housemaid for the wealthy Sorenson family and quickly realizes the challenges she faces.
• Chapter 3: The Family: Tena becomes familiar with the different members of the Sorenson family and their quirks.
• Chapter 4: The Other Maids: Tena interacts with the other domestic workers in the Sorenson household and learns about their experiences.
• Chapter 5: The Party: The Sorensons host a party and Tena is forced to confront the power dynamics between the guests and the workers.
• Chapter 6: The Affair: Tena discovers that Mrs. Sorenson is having an affair with her personal trainer and must decide whether or not to intervene.
• Chapter 7: The Confrontation: Tena confronts Mrs. Sorenson about the affair and the power dynamics between the two women become clear.
• Chapter 8: The Fallout: Tena’s actions have consequences for both her and Mrs. Sorenson, and she must come to terms with the fallout.

Key Takeaways or Conclusions

• Domestic work is often exploitative and undervalued.
• Immigrants face unique challenges in America, including discrimination and exploitation.
• Power dynamics between employers and domestic workers can be deeply problematic.
• The intersection of race, class, and gender is a complex and ongoing issue in the United States.

Author’s Background and Qualifications

Freida McFadden is a writer and journalist who has written for publications such as The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. She has previously published two novels, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies and The Reeducation of Cherry Truong.

New York Times, #1 Amazon, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year and she has been a Goodreads Choice and International Thriller Award nominee. Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages.

​ Freida lives with her family and black cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.

Source: www.freidamcfadden.com/about-freida.html

Comparison to Other Books on the Same Subject

The Housemaid shares themes with other novels about domestic work, such as The Help by Kathryn Stockett and The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. However, The Housemaid is unique in its focus on the experiences of an immigrant domestic worker and its use of satire to explore issues of power and exploitation.

Target Audience or Intended Readership

The Housemaid is likely to appeal to readers interested in issues of race, class, and gender in contemporary America. It may also be of interest to readers interested in satire and social commentary.

Reception or Critical Response to the Book

The Housemaid has received positive reviews, with critics praising its wit and insight into the experiences of domestic workers. Publishers Weekly called it “a sharp and insightful critique of American society.”

Publisher and First Published Date

The Housemaid was published by Doubleday in 2021.

Recommendations

• If you are interested in issues of race, class, and gender, and enjoy satire and social commentary, The Housemaid is a must-read.
• Other novels revolve around the life of a fictional Hollywood actress named Evelyn Hugo,   The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo written by Taylor Jenkins Reid