Title: The Farm
Author: Joanne Ramos
First published May 7, 2019
14 pages, Audiobook
ISBN: 9781984886644 (ISBN10: 1984886649)
Rating: 3.5
Overview
The Farm by Joanne Ramos tells the story of Jane, a struggling single mother from the Philippines who is chosen to be a Host at a luxurious retreat in the Hudson Valley. In exchange for free organic meals, private fitness trainers, and daily massages, Jane must spend nine months on the Farm and produce a perfect baby for the wealthy clients.
But as Jane grows increasingly worried about her own daughter’s well-being, she becomes desperate to leave the Farm and reconnect with her former life. With heart-wrenching suspense, The Farm pushes us to think about the sacrifices women make to secure their futures and the futures of their loved ones.
Editoral Review
The Farm by Joanne Ramos is a brilliantly written debut novel that takes a critical look at class, race, motherhood, and the power dynamics that exist within capitalism. Published on May 7th, 2019, Joanne Ramos, a former investment banker, brings her knowledge of the financial world to her writing, adding realism to her portrayal of the commodification of women’s bodies in The Farm.
The novel takes place in a luxurious retreat called Golden Oaks, where women who are financially struggling can serve as surrogates for wealthy clients. The surrogate mothers, most of whom are women of color, are promised luxurious living quarters, exceptional medical care, a generous salary, and the possibility of a better life after giving birth to someone else’s child.
Jane, one of the main characters, is a Filipina immigrant who has been working as a nanny and dreams of giving her seven-year-old daughter a better future. When Jane is welcomed into the program, she slowly realizes that the liberties and freedoms she had previously taken for granted have been taken away in exchange for the possibility of upward mobility.
She also witnesses firsthand the human rights violations that surrogates are subjected to. The author is masterful at character development, and each character is a fully fleshed-out individual with their own backstory, motivations, and aspirations.
The setting is also exquisite; Ramos writes with such detail that Golden Oaks feels like a real place. The pacing of the plot is excellent, and each chapter leaves the reader wanting more.
The Farm addresses themes that are relevant in today’s social climate. It examines the intersections of race and class, how capitalism disenfranchises some while enriching others, and how women’s bodies are often used as commodities for financial gain.
The novel also explores the challenges of motherhood and the expectations that come with it. Despite the book’s strengths, there are moments when the plot feels slightly predictable or cliché.
Additionally, some of the themes could have been explored more deeply. Nevertheless, the quality of writing and the message of the book overshadow these minor flaws.
Overall, The Farm is a worthwhile novel for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of class, race, and gender. It is particularly powerful for those who are passionate about reproductive rights and the exploitation of women’s bodies in the pursuit of wealth.
I give it a rating of 4 out of 5, and I cannot wait to see what Joanne Ramos has in store for readers in the future.
