79 pages • 2-hour read
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive
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Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Stephanie Land’s memoir paints a deeply personal yet widely relatable picture of poverty in America. How did her story impact your understanding of the struggles faced by low-wage workers and single parents? How does it compare to other works of memoir or nonfiction that deal heavily with economic insecurity, such as Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle?
2. Land often describes feeling invisible in her work as a maid. How did this theme of invisibility resonate with you? Were there moments where you felt frustrated on her behalf?
3. The book ends with Land and Mia moving to Missoula, fulfilling a long-held dream. Did you find the ending satisfying? Why or why not?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Land frequently describes her financial situation as precarious, constantly teetering on the edge of homelessness. How did this book shape your perspective on poverty?
2. Throughout Maid, Land encounters people who judge her for receiving government assistance. Where do you think this stigma comes from?
3. Cleaning clients’ homes gives Land insight into their lives. Have you ever had a job where you observed the private lives of others? How did it shape your understanding of people and social class?
4. The concept of “home” is central to the book, from Land’s time in shelters to her dream of a stable home for Mia. What does “home” mean to you? How do you define it beyond just a physical space?
5. One of Land’s coping mechanisms is writing, which allows her to process her experiences and create a sense of connection. Have you ever used writing or another creative outlet to navigate a challenging period in your life?
6. The book highlights the physical and emotional toll of cleaning, with Land developing chronic pain and exhaustion. How does Maid challenge traditional ideas about what kinds of work are “hard work”?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. Maid sheds light on how poverty is often cyclical and how government systems make it difficult to escape. What barriers did Land face that you think could be addressed in today’s society? What interventions does the work suggest?
2. The memoir reveals that many people who judge those in poverty misunderstand the realities of low-wage work and assistance programs. How does Maid challenge common misconceptions about poverty and social services? How does its perspective differ from that of works like J. D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy?
3. Land’s experiences highlight the stark divide between the working poor and the wealthier families she cleans for. What do you think Maid suggests about class divisions in America?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. If you were to write a letter to Land after reading Maid, what would you say? What questions or thoughts would you share with her?
2. Land’s story is one of perseverance and resilience. Create a social media campaign or awareness poster inspired by Maid that raises awareness about the realities of poverty and low-wage work.
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