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Cheri's Reviews > The Farm
The Farm
by
by
2.5 ‘Meh’ Stars
A bit predictable, one-dimensional, the only thing that wasn’t flat for me is the image on the cover. The ending is oddly disconnected to the rest of the book, as though there’s an entire thought process or some key information missing. That being said, I do think that this will likely be commercially successful because it seems to promise so much more.
If you’re thinking this is some sci-fi or dystopian story, it’s not. If you’re thinking of reading this with some idea that this is about women or couples or gay couples so desperate to have a baby or babies that they hire a surrogate to do the physical labor for them, that’s closer to the truth, but even there I felt the story fell flat, and felt untrue. If you’re thinking it’s about poor women, perhaps especially immigrants, who choose to carry another’s child through gestation for financial rewards, it is – but it’s more about those who prey on those weak enough, desperate enough, or whose upper-class privileged background has them wanting to give back in some way.
The Farm, called Golden Oaks, transports these women into a comfortable dorm-like setting, where they are then monitored, what they eat, where they go, who they talk to, etc. for the duration of their pregnancy. For some, this is a step up, in terms of setting, but they all seem to have issues with the level of monitoring for one reason or another.
The message of this novel seems to be summed up in one sentence:
”Because in America you only have to know how to make money. Money buys everything else.”
I kept reading thinking this would have more redeeming value at some point, and when I finished reading it I realized I was wrong. The writing is good enough, without being poignant or beautifully written. The epilogue seemed pointless and I was confused why it was even included since it seemed to detract some from the main story and added nothing to it for me.
Surrogacy is an ancient practice that has evolved since Sarai directed Abraham to go to her maid that she might bear his child through her, but this story seemed to wander in the desert for too long, leaving me thirsting for more.
Pub Date: 07 May 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group – Random House
A bit predictable, one-dimensional, the only thing that wasn’t flat for me is the image on the cover. The ending is oddly disconnected to the rest of the book, as though there’s an entire thought process or some key information missing. That being said, I do think that this will likely be commercially successful because it seems to promise so much more.
If you’re thinking this is some sci-fi or dystopian story, it’s not. If you’re thinking of reading this with some idea that this is about women or couples or gay couples so desperate to have a baby or babies that they hire a surrogate to do the physical labor for them, that’s closer to the truth, but even there I felt the story fell flat, and felt untrue. If you’re thinking it’s about poor women, perhaps especially immigrants, who choose to carry another’s child through gestation for financial rewards, it is – but it’s more about those who prey on those weak enough, desperate enough, or whose upper-class privileged background has them wanting to give back in some way.
The Farm, called Golden Oaks, transports these women into a comfortable dorm-like setting, where they are then monitored, what they eat, where they go, who they talk to, etc. for the duration of their pregnancy. For some, this is a step up, in terms of setting, but they all seem to have issues with the level of monitoring for one reason or another.
The message of this novel seems to be summed up in one sentence:
”Because in America you only have to know how to make money. Money buys everything else.”
I kept reading thinking this would have more redeeming value at some point, and when I finished reading it I realized I was wrong. The writing is good enough, without being poignant or beautifully written. The epilogue seemed pointless and I was confused why it was even included since it seemed to detract some from the main story and added nothing to it for me.
Surrogacy is an ancient practice that has evolved since Sarai directed Abraham to go to her maid that she might bear his child through her, but this story seemed to wander in the desert for too long, leaving me thirsting for more.
Pub Date: 07 May 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group – Random House
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Reading Progress
March 31, 2019
–
Started Reading
March 31, 2019
– Shelved
March 31, 2019
–
46.0%
April 1, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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by
Nadia
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Apr 01, 2019 12:49PM
Great review, very well said! I was not impressed either. I agree with you that it promises more than actually delivers...
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Thank you so much, Leslie! I won't be terribly surprised if this is a hit or miss for others, but for me it was just 'meh,' until the end when it was more.... huh? Oh, well. It happens every now and then. I'm hoping my next one will be wonderful, I loved his last book (Armando Lucas Correa) so I have high hopes! So nice that you 'dropped by'!
Thank you, Nadia, I read one review months ago, but avoided them after that. I suppose the publishers are more responsible for the hype for this than the author, but I'm not surprised. For me, the writing was okay, just not noteworthy, just a bit of a yawn for me story-wise. Sorry your experience was the same!
Wonderful and honest review, Cheri! I have been curious about this one and will now pass. I hope your next book is more enjoyable!
Sorry it wasn’t better for you, Cheri. Meh for you means it probably would be for me too.
Meredith, it's really not exactly painful to read, it's just that I kept thinking as I read that there would be something to pull it all together in some point the author was trying to make or... the writing is decent enough, the story is just 'meh.' I hate writing these kinds of reviews...
Thanks so much, Angela, you're not going to miss out on anything!
Thanks, Elyse, reading this one somehow is more depressing than reading a really sad story... it's sad to waste so much time reading something that elicits no real feelings. I'm sure someone will love this, just not sure who.
Thanks so much, Supratim!
Oh well, I was really hoping this would be amazing. The premise sounds intriguing! Great review Cheri.
Holly, thank you so much. You may like this more than I did, and I agree that the premise was intriguing. For me, it fell flat, and I was a bit frustrated over endings left dangling, too.
Excellent, well-balanced review Cheri. This doesn't sound like one I would enjoy so I thank you for your honest assessment. 😊❤
Cheri, '2.5 meh' stars from you tells me I am not at all likely to find this a worthwhile read. Hope your next book shines brighter.
Thank you, Jaline. I really dislike writing these kinds of reviews, but this just wasn't for me. The first half worked for me better than the last half, but I can't really recommend it.
Thank you, Laysee. The "highlight" of this book was that the author does seem to make this a very 'readable' book in terms of the writing, and the idea of the story had *some* promise, but I doubt this is one you'd enjoy. I'm about 2/3 of the way through my current read (which I'm both reading and listening to the audio) and it's definitely five star material.
Hope your next one is more than meh!
Thanks so much, Jen, my current one is wonderful, and it more than makes up for this one being 'meh'!
Thanks so much, Deanna!
You're right about the cover, Cheri. That would look nice in my bedroom.
Thanks so much, Katie, the cover is colourful, with some dimension, at least!
Great review Cheri!
Excellent review, even if it was "meh" book. 😊💕❌⭕️🌸😘
Thank you, Melissa, you are so sweet! These are always the hardest ones for me to write! xo
Your review is fantastic even if the book wasn't. I hope your next book is fab, Cheri! :-)
Thank you so much, Kimber! The four I read after this were all five stars, but it can't last forever!
Excellent review! Thanks for the tip—the blurb makes it sound so good!
I wondered about this one. Terrific review, Cheri!
Oh dear, Cheri. This one did seem tempting. Thanks for your Frank review.
so much hype from publishers over so many books that are nothing more than mediocre at best there is a higher quality of writing coming from the authors that are self published
Thanks, Debbie, and you're welcome. The only reason I would want you to read this would be for one of your excellent reviews, but I like you too much to tell you to do that!
Thanks so much, Dianne!
Thank you, Esil, I hope that you enjoy it more than I did - if you read it.
Thank you, Sheri, I would agree that I sometimes see a better quality of writing coming from self-published authors, but I've also read some that should never have been written.
Just tried to read this, and am putting it aside. Glad to see I wasn't the only one who had problems with it.
Diane, I can completely understand, and I'm glad you tried this, but am relieved that you put it aside, a wise decision - I wish I had.
Your review saved me! I just took this out of the library. Phew! Glad I’m stalking your page. Still in shock how many top friends reviews I have not seen.
Kelli, I don't think you're alone in all the reviews not showing up for you, I know many of us have that complaint. This just felt like a waste of my time, but it's not godawful, just... disappointing.
Yeh, this was just meh for me too.
Lynn, 'meh' is the right word for this one, but I'm sorry it didn't work for you, either!
