This is the story of women who become surrogates/hosts in a farm named Golden Oaks, a private estate in NYC, for the privileged women who can't/won't reproduce their own babies. And in turn, the hosts will be promised a large financial amount in the end and that is only if they follow all the strict rules given by their clients.
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Even though the whole process of selecting the hosts, impregnating and what's happening inside the farm covers most of the plot, it is also about the immigrants and people from low economic class struggle with money, race, power and inequality while trying to fulfill their American dreams.
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This story was especially about a young Jane, immigrant from Phillipines who becomes one of the hosts in Golden Oaks to create a better future for her daughter Amalia. It is also the story of other Filipinos including her cousin sister struggling all their life in America to send money to their extended family in Phillipines. It was so touching and heartbreaking.
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"There are people who move through the world like they own it, and the world seems to bend to their demands." This quote just explains everything about modern world. it's like the only way to earn money is to already have money. This book especially speaks about the era where no blue collar job exists. And anyone who is not from the rich class, achieving their dream and making more money is just an illusion. It's the rich who is getting richer each day.
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It's totally a character driven story and it was heart wrenching at many places. There is a character named Lisa who mad me even laugh so much. but even though, the plot felt so promising initially, it felt short in the end. It was unrealistic and didn't fit the storyline well. I was keep on expecting a big twist or some ground breaking actions but nothing happened. It was an okay read for me. But what I understood from the ending is that these immigrants are still going to sacrifice and die working for the well being and future of their family. and the cycle is never going to end.
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Thank you @bloomsburyindia for sending me this review copy 🖤