Scan barcode
stellahadz's review
dark
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? Yes
4.25
It feels wrong to say I enjoyed this book -- it's an unflinchingly sad story of a young woman's struggles with her mental health. I will say it's a brilliant book, though. The writing is sharp and vivid, and I loved the mixed-media format. The narrative is interspersed with pages from a zine created by Sahara's aunt, stage directions, and chapter names that reference popular songs. Based on the description, I thought the book would be more of a mystery about the titular Unfortunates, Black women classmates of Sahara's who have disappeared or died, but ultimately it was more of an exploration of Sahara's own mental space and how she learns the value of care. It has a similar vibe to books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, but The Unfortunates is definitely more self-aware (and better, in my personal opinion -- and I say that as someone who likes R&R!) J. K. Chukwu is so talented, and I look forward to reading more of her work. I absolutely recommend this book, but I'd advise checking the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Medical content, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Medical trauma, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Eating disorder
room334's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
An incredibly unique way to tell a story about depression and race in a university setting that is both extremely dark and extremely funny.
CW: suicide/suicidal thoughts
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
karemark's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Racism, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Drug use, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
midnightmarauder's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
The Unfortunates follows Sahara Nwadike, a depressed college sophomore who no longer wants to live. Sahara attends an unnamed PWI that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, yet their black students are constantly dying, disappearing, or both.
There are many characters within the book that are unnamed, besides Sahara herself and Mariah, one of her close friends and also the girl she has a crush on. Everyone else is referred to by a pseudonym, like her best friend, ROD (which stands for Ride Or Die), her parents (only referred to as Mother and Father), and her brothers (aptly called B1, for Brother 1; and B2, for Brother 2), which I thought was interesting.
The book tackles many issues, one of the most prominent being mental illness in black people. Sahara suffers from depression (who she refers to as her "Life Partner", or LP, for short). LP constantly drags her down and convinces her that no one cares about her, and aids in her self-destruction throughout the novel. One of the things Sahara does to cope is drink and self-harm. Both LP and one of Sahara's friends, C1, help enable her addictions.
C1 is basically the human personification of LP. She is negative, self-hating, and a terrible influence on Sahara. She constantly encourages her to drink and do drugs with little regard to how it affects her. Once, as the pair are changing for a party, C1 noticesSahara's self-harm scars , and without asking her why she did what she did or caring about helping her stop, changes the subject back to herself. She was, by far, my least favorite character in the book.
Another issue that was tackled in the book was how black people (and people of color in general) often have a hard time finding community and support at primarily-white institutions. Sahara is one of many students at the university she attends that struggle with mental health issues. There is offered support for the students, but it is not enough and tends to be focused on the needs of white people. One of the people that fight to change the discriminatory practices at the institution is Mariah, who spent a lot of time at the head of different organizations on campus built to uplift and support other black students on campus whose voices were often ignored. Later in the book,it is revealed that she suffers from a health issue that she seeks help for from the university's hospital, but they constantly ignore her. Eventually, the issue is shown to be fibroids and she goes into emergency surgery, only to die from complications later.
Overall, I really loved this book. Sahara and I are very similar; we're both black women who struggle with depression and attended PWIs. I experienced very similar isolation and pain while I was on campus, with little to no support. I wished I had read this book while living on campus in order to be reminded that I wasn't alone and that there were other people out there dealing with the same issues.
There are many characters within the book that are unnamed, besides Sahara herself and Mariah, one of her close friends and also the girl she has a crush on. Everyone else is referred to by a pseudonym, like her best friend, ROD (which stands for Ride Or Die), her parents (only referred to as Mother and Father), and her brothers (aptly called B1, for Brother 1; and B2, for Brother 2), which I thought was interesting.
The book tackles many issues, one of the most prominent being mental illness in black people. Sahara suffers from depression (who she refers to as her "Life Partner", or LP, for short). LP constantly drags her down and convinces her that no one cares about her, and aids in her self-destruction throughout the novel. One of the things Sahara does to cope is drink and self-harm. Both LP and one of Sahara's friends, C1, help enable her addictions.
C1 is basically the human personification of LP. She is negative, self-hating, and a terrible influence on Sahara. She constantly encourages her to drink and do drugs with little regard to how it affects her. Once, as the pair are changing for a party, C1 notices
Another issue that was tackled in the book was how black people (and people of color in general) often have a hard time finding community and support at primarily-white institutions. Sahara is one of many students at the university she attends that struggle with mental health issues. There is offered support for the students, but it is not enough and tends to be focused on the needs of white people. One of the people that fight to change the discriminatory practices at the institution is Mariah, who spent a lot of time at the head of different organizations on campus built to uplift and support other black students on campus whose voices were often ignored. Later in the book,
Overall, I really loved this book. Sahara and I are very similar; we're both black women who struggle with depression and attended PWIs. I experienced very similar isolation and pain while I was on campus, with little to no support. I wished I had read this book while living on campus in order to be reminded that I wasn't alone and that there were other people out there dealing with the same issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism and Eating disorder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Blood, Body shaming, and Misogyny
tjminus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
First, definitely check the trigger/content warnings before reading this book. It is a DARK comedy. The writing style/presentation was so unique and creative and I truly enjoyed it. I just felt like the last 80 or so pages rushed to complete the plot and the book easily could have gone another 20-30 pages to match the plot pace of the first 2/3rds of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Drug use, and Mental illness
Moderate: Grief, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Racism, Death, and Classism
mmmmmm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
i honestly don't know how to rate this, but it was a propulsive reading experience and like nothing i've ever read before. the experimental style and inclusion of the zine was so creative and interesting. extensive trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
dominmuenster's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Self harm
Moderate: Medical trauma, Eating disorder, Medical content, Drug use, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
laynazaubinde's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
seullywillikers's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Initial thoughts: raw, intelligent, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, beautiful.
Updated review: EVERYONE should read this book, but most especially, if you have anything to do with higher education AT ALL, whether as student, teacher, administrator, or volunteer, you must read this book. Obviously, as a white woman, I did not identify with all of Sahara's identities; I did identify with some of her story, though. This has got to have the most real portrayal of depression and suicidal ideation in a fiction that I have ever read. Throughout, Sahara's humor, sadness, and rage burn brightly, so that you are in the midst of it, and feeling it too. The POV of a Black woman in a PWI is poignant and important-you can logically 'know' a thing, but to see it through this window is another thing entirely. Certainly, I'll never understand on a fundamental level, but having the books and other media that represent these true stories (fiction as truth-teller) is so important for everyone in today's America.
The framework of a satirical Master's thesis is brilliantly conceived and executed in this book, and is well used to highlight the insufficient, ineffective, and hypocritical policies and facades of towering institutions that don't actually do the work to raise up anyone except their donors and benefactors. This book touched not only on systemic racism, but also everyday microaggressions, inequitable health-care and the dismissal of Black people's pain, trying to figure out your life as an LGBTQIA+ person, depression and self-harm, dysfunctional families (even if there is love there), and just trying to figure out yourself in college. That is SO much to cover, but this book doesn't feel bogged down, sloggy, or hindered in achieving to carry all of that.
Also, Sahara has awesome taste in music. 5 stars.
Updated review: EVERYONE should read this book, but most especially, if you have anything to do with higher education AT ALL, whether as student, teacher, administrator, or volunteer, you must read this book. Obviously, as a white woman, I did not identify with all of Sahara's identities; I did identify with some of her story, though. This has got to have the most real portrayal of depression and suicidal ideation in a fiction that I have ever read. Throughout, Sahara's humor, sadness, and rage burn brightly, so that you are in the midst of it, and feeling it too. The POV of a Black woman in a PWI is poignant and important-you can logically 'know' a thing, but to see it through this window is another thing entirely. Certainly, I'll never understand on a fundamental level, but having the books and other media that represent these true stories (fiction as truth-teller) is so important for everyone in today's America.
The framework of a satirical Master's thesis is brilliantly conceived and executed in this book, and is well used to highlight the insufficient, ineffective, and hypocritical policies and facades of towering institutions that don't actually do the work to raise up anyone except their donors and benefactors. This book touched not only on systemic racism, but also everyday microaggressions, inequitable health-care and the dismissal of Black people's pain, trying to figure out your life as an LGBTQIA+ person, depression and self-harm, dysfunctional families (even if there is love there), and just trying to figure out yourself in college. That is SO much to cover, but this book doesn't feel bogged down, sloggy, or hindered in achieving to carry all of that.
Also, Sahara has awesome taste in music. 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Eating disorder, Grief, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Classism, Fatphobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Blood
bahareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.0
The Unfortunates was a good book; I just don't think it was the book for me. Chukwu deals with some hard issues (trigger warnings) - things like suicide, suicide idealization, self-harming, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, racism, and classism. The synopsis paints this novel as a mystery, which it is not. It is more of a book of self-discovery. Sahara is struggling with all of these things while dealing with immigrant family expectations which just adds another struggle.
I know from personal experience that being the first daughter in a family is not easy (at all). I'm so thankful for the real relationships that Sahara had in this book - her best friend specifically. Professors who ACTUALLY care for their students are a blessing; it was great for Chukwu to show the range of professors' care in college. Some of them do not give a shit about you but others will make space for you and give allowances. Thank God for professors who actually care.
College is already stressful and being at institutions that do not support you, and have barely any people of colour is TOUGH. Feeling unsupported and having imposter syndrome is so so real. I laughed out loud at a White man being the head of the Black Student Union, like HOW?!? Chukwu has a range of Black personalities and people here. The one at stuck out was the rich Whitewashed Black person. She was shown in an awful light. She was shallow, an enabler, and not even someone I would not call a friend in any respect. While Chukwu does a great job of showing how Sahara was supported by her people. I wish there were even more exposition on the relationships. A lot of characters were in here and it felt like we did not get to see the depth of some of the relationships.
The art in here was intriguing. A lot of the pages have some visual element on them. JK Chukwu is a visual artist and I think that makes her work stand out. The fact that she uses her skills as both a writer and artist in combination is beautiful.
I know from personal experience that being the first daughter in a family is not easy (at all). I'm so thankful for the real relationships that Sahara had in this book - her best friend specifically. Professors who ACTUALLY care for their students are a blessing; it was great for Chukwu to show the range of professors' care in college. Some of them do not give a shit about you but others will make space for you and give allowances. Thank God for professors who actually care.
College is already stressful and being at institutions that do not support you, and have barely any people of colour is TOUGH. Feeling unsupported and having imposter syndrome is so so real. I laughed out loud at a White man being the head of the Black Student Union, like HOW?!? Chukwu has a range of Black personalities and people here. The one at stuck out was the rich Whitewashed Black person. She was shown in an awful light. She was shallow, an enabler, and not even someone I would not call a friend in any respect. While Chukwu does a great job of showing how Sahara was supported by her people. I wish there were even more exposition on the relationships. A lot of characters were in here and it felt like we did not get to see the depth of some of the relationships.
The art in here was intriguing. A lot of the pages have some visual element on them. JK Chukwu is a visual artist and I think that makes her work stand out. The fact that she uses her skills as both a writer and artist in combination is beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Racism, Classism, and Eating disorder
Minor: Suicide