Reviews

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

sydthewitch's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If you thought Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was ok (minus), Queenie is *actually* good. 

whatkatisreading's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

‘Queenie’ by Candice Carty Williams is one of the most emotional, entertaining, eye-opening and essential books I’ve ever read, and I wish I’d picked it up sooner. Telling the story of a tumultuous period in the life of Queenie, a British-Jamaican woman living in Brixton and working as a journalist, the novel is deeply personal and inherently political. 

I learned from the way Queenie describes her experiences as a Black woman, and appreciated the novel highlighting varied impacts of systematic racism and the cultural barriers to physical and especially mental healthcare. The themes in the novel of asking for help, granting forgiveness and not striving for a mainstream ideal of “normality” were important and strong. On a lighter note, I adored the way she called her friends “the corgis” and the role of her younger cousin Diana.

I listened on audiobook and I thought that the narration by Shvorne Marks really added to the layers of the story, making Queenie feel even more real. 

procariolm's review against another edition

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

slayva03's review against another edition

5.0

4.5* A gorgeous book with a gorgeous cover. I absolutely adore Queenie as I main character, I love how she's flawed and how she can make mistakes. This book was also really funny, i loved seeing Queenie's awkward reaction to all the strange things people said, and I loved the use of the texts in the book. I loveddd the friendship group and the family. Just so stunning. But I do think it dragged a LOT in the last 100 pages. like it was a whole chunk about her going to therapy and finding out why she is the way she is. I think it would work better if it blended in more with the rest of the book instead of putting it all at the end

Content warning if you are thinking about reading this books, there is a lot of sex and its VERY graphic.

katie_ann796's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

grassgoat's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

uns155's review against another edition

3.0

I have absolutely loved Queenie. It is an amazingly written book of modern life from the eyes of Queenie. It is highly relatable in some areas and understandable in others. Queenie is one of the best books I have ever read in my life and I would highly recommend it for everyone. It is a truly wholesome experience. You will not regret reading this book and this book was really hyped even before I read it. Now that I read it, I think it definitely is worth the hype and deserves even more.

tcubb06's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ellisdeeney's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

saltydogreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25