Class

A Memoir

By: Stephanie Land

Narrated by: Stephanie Land

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick • New York Times Most Anticipated Books of Fall

“Raw and inspiring.” —People

“Land is not just exploring her own story, but also the larger implications of what it means to fall between the cracks of American capitalism.” —The New York Times

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 gripping 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, it was called “an eye-opening journey into the lives of the working poor” (People). Later it was adapted into the hit Netflix series Maid, which was viewed by 67 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, not having enough money for food, navigating 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.

©2023 Stephanie Land (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Stephanie Land, who wrote MAID, had a laser-focused goal to succeed as a writer, and this memoir proves that in spades. Her presentation of her life, which included an abusive husband, an unpredictable father to her daughter, and financial challenges, would send anyone over the edge. It all got her down, but she never gave up. Land’s exacting words and notable phrasing immerse listeners in a story of poverty, including the sacrifices she made to graduate from college and then get a Master of Fine Arts so she could write for a living. She concludes with an epilogue explaining her current successes. Fans of her previous work will be drawn to this memoir for its honesty, integrity, and candor." (AudioFile Magazine)

Female Gaze

Love that Stephanie Land narrated the book. She’s excellent!

I’m marveling at how honest Land is in her book. How close in time the experiences she writes about actually occurred. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montana in 2014. The book focuses on her senior year as a 34-year-old single mom.

It’s such an uncomfortable book. But prickliness makes for a good read. I felt the same way when I watched “Fleabag.” Hated it. But kept watching and realized I didn’t really hate it. I just wasn’t used to an imperfect female protagonist. And Land is imperfect. But she’s methodical in cataloging all of the flaws in herself and in this system of white supremacy and patriarchy we’ve created as a society. She also celebrates her victories in small quiet ways.

Her battle to get into grad school is heartbreaking. But wow! The cattiness of some of the professors left me gobsmacked. Maybe if you’ve only written one book no one has ever read, should you really be directing a creative writing program?

Land’s gotta write another book about her quests. I’m hooked no matter how flawed this protagonist is. The world needs more stories from the female gaze.

Nothing short of extraordinary.

On par with Maid, the author gives readers an authentic insight into subjects that aren’t discussed enough, or pushed aside by those ignorant to live selfishly inside themselves. The great bravery, vulnerability, and willingness to share of the author is something to be admired. I am blessed to have been able to listen to another part of her life story. I look forward to her continued success.

Rooting Her On

I enjoyed listening to the second half of this journey. Her determination to build a life for her and her daughter. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming and know she has found success despite the daily obstacles she faced. What an achievement to rise above all that held her back, and what an example for her daughters.

Her fight!

Knocked down stereotypes! Loved the book. All social workers, professors and social network haters need to read this.

Amazing

This book is one of my favorites now. Coming from a rough childhood, to abusive relationship's, and trying to break generation curses, I really needed to read and listen to this book for strength. Stephanie understands how hard life is and what it is to keep pushing when the odds are against you. Amazing book. The way it end I pray she writes another one.

Author

Honest telling of a true story. The author made no effort to sugar coat anything. Some may judge her but that’s likely a reflection of our more privileged lives. Highly recommend.

A book that will open your eyes

I read this book because I first read Maid. Throughout this book there were times when I considered Stephanie’s decisions and wondered if I would have chosen the same. But it doesn’t matter…because this is her story, not mine and throughout her amazing narrative she has relentlessly lived her truth with a stubborn bravery that I admire.

Couldn’t stop listening!

Stephanie land is such a good narrator, and hearing her story was captivating from the beginning to the end! Very touching and inspiring

I was with you

I was with you all the way I could feel the cold coming out of the floor in Montana, the fear of that guy banging on your back door, wanting to annihilate the child in your womb, wow, you really chose a hard route, but you did it and I really liked hearing you read it as an author, myself of three books and the mother of three children, and having lost a child the minutia of motherhood was powerful. I like the sex scenes too.

Resilience

Incredible story. I love her resilience and I emphasize with the hard time of getting higher education.