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whatchapterareyouon's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bukolayemi's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
This book is just perfect! It didn’t start out feeling like that and by half way through I thought it was an average read but towards the end, it made me teary and got me feeling deep emotions.
I can’t tell you why I love it so much without giving too much away.
Lucky Girl follows Soila, a young Kenyan woman from a childhood full of secrets but surrounded by strong female family members who love and care for her.
Soila feels suffocated by the love of her controlling mother and decides to go to college in America in search of the independence she craves.
The reader sees the difference between how African Americans and Americans view racism and micro aggressions.
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu seamlessly touches on many themes in an accessible manner. I really enjoyed this book.
mcc1246's review
5.0
5/5
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu’s debut novel is a page turner! Solia, the main character, is from Kenya but moves to the United States with some controversial views on being black in America that will stimulate book club conversations. I didn’t always like Solia but I respected her honesty.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #luckygirl
You might also enjoy: Girl with the Louding Voice. Rootless. Nightbloom.
Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu’s debut novel is a page turner! Solia, the main character, is from Kenya but moves to the United States with some controversial views on being black in America that will stimulate book club conversations. I didn’t always like Solia but I respected her honesty.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #luckygirl
You might also enjoy: Girl with the Louding Voice. Rootless. Nightbloom.
jaded618's review
4.0
Amazing book, full of true emotion. I know I could never rate to this book as much as other readers, but I admire the story and characters so much.
The ending was as perfect as a reader could ask for. I cannot wait to read more from Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu.
The ending was as perfect as a reader could ask for. I cannot wait to read more from Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu.
year23's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Strong for a debut novel - the writing is engaging - direct, flows well, and there were moments of deep resonance regarding themes like fraught mother/daughter relationships, managing big life decisions (unwanted pregnancy) and race & identity (particularly among African Americans and Africans, perceptions, etc.).
At the same time, it felt a bit uneven in terms of pacing and focus throughout - the last 30 pages were chock full of quick resolutions that didn't feel earned by the prior characterizations of relationships. The middle section dragged a bit, leading up to a traumatic historical event that shifted the tension and emotional intensity in the story.
I also don't think a lot of the themes or threads around the main character were resolved, especially re: her mental health. One of her partners also seemed to belong in a romance novel, not a literary fiction, due to his portrayal, very one-dimensional, near perfection type guy that just, honestly, doesn't exist so it didn't feel real.
I think I liked most the first part of the book that explored the differing experiences and perceptions of race and racism from a privileged Kenyan woman vs. African American middle class or working class people, and the mother/daughter and family dynamics of the MC and her mom. The latter half felt like a truncated coming of age story, figuring out boyfriends, career, etc., but didn't have the character growth to go along with it if that makes sense - so when things resolved as they did in the end, it didn't resonate.
I will be reading more from this author - there's good stuff here and I'm curious to see how their writing continues to evolve.
At the same time, it felt a bit uneven in terms of pacing and focus throughout - the last 30 pages were chock full of quick resolutions that didn't feel earned by the prior characterizations of relationships. The middle section dragged a bit, leading up to a traumatic historical event that shifted the tension and emotional intensity in the story.
I also don't think a lot of the themes or threads around the main character were resolved, especially re: her mental health. One of her partners also seemed to belong in a romance novel, not a literary fiction, due to his portrayal, very one-dimensional, near perfection type guy that just, honestly, doesn't exist so it didn't feel real.
I think I liked most the first part of the book that explored the differing experiences and perceptions of race and racism from a privileged Kenyan woman vs. African American middle class or working class people, and the mother/daughter and family dynamics of the MC and her mom. The latter half felt like a truncated coming of age story, figuring out boyfriends, career, etc., but didn't have the character growth to go along with it if that makes sense - so when things resolved as they did in the end, it didn't resonate.
I will be reading more from this author - there's good stuff here and I'm curious to see how their writing continues to evolve.
krin's review against another edition
4.5
Rounding up to five stars. This is a sweeping and moving debut that kept me hooked. It reminded me of the types of literary fiction novels I read in my youth and there was a comfort in that cadence and pacing. Interestingly, it was the second litfic novel I've read this year that centres on a young woman with a complicated relationship with her mother moving to NYC with an interest/aspiration to be a photographer (The Light of Eternal Spring was the other one.) To an extent, this is a simple book that is really about Soila's coming of age between her home in Kenya and time in NYC. Her journey is familiar and relatable in many ways - helping the reader work through some of the same issues that Soila is facing. At the same time, it is uniquely Soila's story - about her experiences and relationships with her mother, family, friends, career and love life. I enjoyed spending time with her and was rooting for her along the way.
Content warning for some pretty heavy stuff: sexual assault, religious trauma, parental emotional abuse, suicide, racism, abortion, 9/11, dementia.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
ladyelderberry's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
bibliotequeish's review
4.0
Lucky Girl is the story of Kenyan born Soila, who leaves Kenya to go to school in America. Partly to escape her overbearing mother and also to escape the man who took advantage of her when she needed a friend.
In New York Soila finds friends, love and loss and is faced with the decision of choosing between her family and Kenyan roots, over her new life.
This was a great book. Deep, at times disturbing and sad, but always gripping and well written.
I loved Soila’s Aunts, all so different, with great personalities and side stories. I would have loved to see more of them.
Soila at times irritated me, but her character was so perfectly flawed that it added to the story for me.
Read this if you’re looking for a deep, slow burn to pop you out of a slump.
In New York Soila finds friends, love and loss and is faced with the decision of choosing between her family and Kenyan roots, over her new life.
This was a great book. Deep, at times disturbing and sad, but always gripping and well written.
I loved Soila’s Aunts, all so different, with great personalities and side stories. I would have loved to see more of them.
Soila at times irritated me, but her character was so perfectly flawed that it added to the story for me.
Read this if you’re looking for a deep, slow burn to pop you out of a slump.
alenareads_27's review
3.0
The book was just okay, I kinda didn’t care for Soila at all or her romantic relationships. She starts off insanely judgmental, but eventually comes around some. I also didn’t root for either of Soila’s romantic relationships.
I think the book did a great job with depicting the different views, experiences, and lifestyles of Black Americans versus Africans. Even now, Africans and Black Americans don’t see eye to eye. Africans believe Americans think they are better than them. Hopefully that can change sometime soon.
3/5 Stars⭐️