Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education: A GMA Book Club Pick
by Stephanie Land
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A Good Morning America Book Club Pick
A New York Times Most Anticipated Books of Fall
From the New York Times bestselling author who inspired the hit Netflix series about a struggling mother barely making ends meet as a housecleaner, a "raw and inspiring" (People) memoir about college, motherhood, poverty, and life after Maid.
When Stephanie Land set out to write her memoir Maid, she never could have imagined what was to come. Handpicked by President Barack Obama as one of the best books of 2019, he called it an "unflinching look at America's class divide...and a reminder of the dignity of all work." Later, it was adapted into the hit Netflix series Maid, which was viewed by sixty-seven million households and was Netflix's fourth most-watched show in 2021, garnering three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Stephanie's escape out of poverty and abuse in search of a better life inspired millions.
Maid was a story about a housecleaner, but it was also a story about a woman with a dream. In Class, Land takes us with her as she finishes college and pursues her writing career. Facing barriers at every turn including a byzantine loan system, food insecurity, the judgments of professors and fellow students who didn't understand the demands of attending college while under the poverty line--Land finds a way to survive once again, finally graduating in her mid-thirties.
Class paints an intimate and heartbreaking portrait of motherhood as it converges and often conflicts with personal desire and professional ambition. Who has the right to create art? Who has the right to go to college? And what kind of work is valued in our culture? In clear, candid, and moving prose, Class grapples with these questions, offering a searing indictment of America's educational system and an inspiring testimony of a mother's triumph against all odds.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781982151409
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Stephanie Land
- Publisher
- Atria/One Signal Publishers
- Published Date
- September 10, 2024
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 288
- Physical Info
- 8.1 in L x 5.4 in W (0.45 lb)

I’m truly mind-blown that we live in a time where this is considered a “New York Times Bestseller”. This woman shouldn’t have custody of her children, let alone be a millionaire!The Netflix series was awesome, but it was clearly edited to portray Land in a positive light. The first book was a little better, but now it like she’s completely lost it. The book mostly focuses on her complaints…there’s not much of a narrative.Many of her statements are lies. I have a degree in social work… she clearly couldn’t receive Medicaid or TANF because she wasn’t meeting the work requirements. Montana the has birth control Medicaid. That scene where the women was “turned away for not filing for child support” was a blatant lie, there are waivers for domestic violence victims. Although why not file anyway? Stop letting these losers get off so easy!Land openly neglects herself and her children in this book. Mia is late or absent from school most days, while Land goes out drinking and to concerts. Mia is underweight, yet mom is too lazy to go to a food pantry. The most concerning part of the entire book is that she leaves her with literal strangers (usually men) in exchange for booze! The kid was walking around in her underwear at one point! She wears designer clothing while her kids wear Goodwill rags...look at the photo of her daughter at college graduation with mismatched socks!Spoiler: Land doesn’t get into the MFA program after the professor notices she’s pregnant AND drinking alcohol. We never find out who the father is, does she even know?! They moved into government housing for several more years, until she published this crap. Congrats? Then, she ends up pregnant FOUR MORE TIMES and now lets her 10 year old daughter identify as a male. Pretty sure that's why her marriage ended...
It’s a really good book! After watching Maid on Netflix I looked for her second book and it honest brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommended it specially for those college kids that struggle through college while you have 0 support.
Couldn’t sympathize after repeated mistakes were made expecting a different result.The first edition Maid was more relatable compared to working as a housekeeper.The struggles as a single mom and dependability in assistance is very real. However in this edition I couldn’t read past her getting rid of her 2nd baby instead of offering it up for adoption or giving its life a chance. What made It most painful to fathom; was the way she mentioned her abortion almost like a side note . Like the child didn’t matter at all. As a mother of 4 I absolutely cannot accept not putting your kids first.
I recommend this book
I purchased and read "Maid and followed up with "Class". Both books were well written and held my attention. After reading both volumes, I think this should be required reading for teens in high school health class. The stories show you need to think first, before you act in passion. Still, they are great non-fiction books!
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