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tigger89's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is not a particularly uplifting book. It may be cathartic or validating, but I want to be clear that, if you're currently struggling with anything that seems adjacent to the plot summary of this book, you should tread carefully. It gets very dark. Check the content warnings.
That said, it was very well done. Sahara's perspective was in turns frustrating, heartbreaking, infuriating, and all too real. There's very little plot that goes down in this story. Instead, it's almost entirely about the characters, whether they're sympathetic, antagonistic, or somewhere in between. This worked incredibly well to paint a complete, empathetic picture of the suffering students of color undergo while surviving — or not — in racist institutions, as well as to underscore the vital importance of community and showing up to support one another.
The gimmick of the novel, that it was an academic thesis, was a mixed bag for me. While it's addressed to the thesis committee and has frequent footnotes, it doesn't read like academic writing at all. Of course that subversion is the point, but it's still disconcerting as a reader to have been sold on one thing only to discover it's something else entirely. I think if I'd known what I was in for up front I would have appreciated it much more, rather than being disappointed about what I'd thought I was getting. I also want to note that, according to her author bio, Chukwu is a visual artist, and there's many instances of art throughout the novel. Consequently, this may be a title that's best enjoyed in a physical or e-book edition, rather than on audio.
That said, it was very well done. Sahara's perspective was in turns frustrating, heartbreaking, infuriating, and all too real. There's very little plot that goes down in this story. Instead, it's almost entirely about the characters, whether they're sympathetic, antagonistic, or somewhere in between. This worked incredibly well to paint a complete, empathetic picture of the suffering students of color undergo while surviving — or not — in racist institutions, as well as to underscore the vital importance of community and showing up to support one another.
The gimmick of the novel, that it was an academic thesis, was a mixed bag for me. While it's addressed to the thesis committee and has frequent footnotes, it doesn't read like academic writing at all. Of course that subversion is the point, but it's still disconcerting as a reader to have been sold on one thing only to discover it's something else entirely. I think if I'd known what I was in for up front I would have appreciated it much more, rather than being disappointed about what I'd thought I was getting. I also want to note that, according to her author bio, Chukwu is a visual artist, and there's many instances of art throughout the novel. Consequently, this may be a title that's best enjoyed in a physical or e-book edition, rather than on audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Medical content
thepermageek's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
A really poignant debut novel exploring the negative impact that living in a society utterly shot through with anti-Black racism, misogyny, and heterosexism can have on the mental health of Black queer women. Chukwu does a masterful job, through the first-person POV of the protagonist, at capturing the inner life of someone who has lived with depression and suicidality their entire lives.
To be honest, I think this book would have been too much for me to handle when I was at the absolute depths of my own despair. But now that I'm in a (relatively) mentally healthy/stable period in my life this book was an absolute delight!
To be honest, I think this book would have been too much for me to handle when I was at the absolute depths of my own despair. But now that I'm in a (relatively) mentally healthy/stable period in my life this book was an absolute delight!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Addiction, Racism, Self harm, Alcoholism, Drug use, Racial slurs, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
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