The Maid's Room
'A modern-day The Help' - Emerald Street
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.
Add to basket failed.
Please try again later
Add to wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Remove from wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Adding to library failed
Please try again
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Unlimited access to our all-you-can-listen catalogue of 15K+ audiobooks and podcasts
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.
The Maid's Room
Narrated by:
Julie Teal
Buy Now for £12.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Julie Teal
-
By:
-
Fiona Mitchell
About this listen
Set in the blistering heat of Singapore, THE MAID'S ROOM follows the lives of two Filipina maids - sisters Dolly and Tala who are working hard to send money back home, and British ex-pat Jules who has left her job as a midwife to move to Singapore with husband David.
Told with humour, heart-breaking detail about daily life as a maid, and with an exhilarating spirit that is ultimately uplifting, this book will resonate with anyone who has struggled to have their voice heard.
(P)2017 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2017 Fiona Mitchell
Listeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
A modern-day The Help
Passionate . . . This powerful novel is pretty bleak, but there are sunny patches and plenty of breezy satire. It paints an unforgettable picture of how, in the here and now, some haves can treat the have-nots. You'll be rooting for feisty Tala all the way
A beautifully written and deeply moving novel . . . crafted with a mixture of grim detail, dark humour and poignancy, at times it's hard to believe that this book is a work of fiction. Genuinely excellent. *****
Heartbreaking but uplifting read
A brilliant and eye-opening read
It's informative, but there's a darned good story there too. I was completely tied up in the mystery of which of the employers was writing the blog detailing all the ways you should keep your servant in check and my heart was in my mouth for Tala and Dolly on more than one occasion. It's a book to read and then read again so that you can appreciate all the nuances.
Fiona Mitchell's debut lifts the lid on life as a female domestic worker in Singapore . . . Touching
I loved The Maid's Room with its exquisite writing, married with a shocking and powerful story line that had me gripped and moved until the uplifting conclusion. A fascinating read about survival and the strength and resilience of the human heart.
A beautifully written debut that's both moving and humorous with characters I truly cared about. I loved everything about it!
The Maid's Room pulls no punches in bringing home the message that migrant workers are treated shockingly, but also recognises that the women employing these maids are often living unhappy lives too, albeit in the luxury their money provides . . . there is humour in the book and uplifting moments which restore some faith in human nature. Essentially though this is a book with a strong message about the exploitation of migrant workers, which will leave you questioning the way the rich treat the poor.
A fascinating, thought-provoking and sometimes heart-breaking look at the wealthy ex-pat lifestyle in Singapore and the exploited women who look after the children, take care of the expensive homes and live in tiny rooms along with the cleaning supplies.
The Maid's Room is a book brimming with hope, kindness and humour. Sad yet joyous, shocking yet compelling. A sharp, truthful and exquisitely told tale. I loved it - I think everyone should read this book!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Maid's Room to be better than the print version?
Julie Teal reads the book with good expression, and she helps us to experience the different characters (with their variable accents and intonations) very well.What other book might you compare The Maid's Room to, and why?
Many might compare this book to 'The Help', as an exposé of the plight of the domestic worker, though 'The Maid's Room' is in a league of its own.Which scene did you most enjoy?
That's a tough choice to make, as I felt engaged with the characters by the end of the first chapter. Though if I had to make a choice, the final scenes were very gratifying.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, I couldn't put it down and wanted it to keep on going. Fingers crossed for a sequel!Any additional comments?
What's most moving about this book is that it's based on the author's experience of life in Singapore and the real life plight of the maids she met there, whose stories are bravely reflected in these pages.Gripping and moving; I didn't want it to end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Insight into Maids’ lives in Singapore
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.