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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the characters and their motivations feel realistic. comparing different ways racism and implicit bias show up and questioning which is more harmful is really interesting. appreciated the high school drama
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
+ I wanted to keep reading, and I’m still thinking about it.
- everyone sucks and I just didn’t care what was going to happen
- everyone sucks and I just didn’t care what was going to happen
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
For some reason, I thought Such a Fun Age was going to be about something completely different than what it is, so I avoided reading it for a long time. I’m glad it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, because I like this story a lot better.
I like that Emira was somewhat adrift, and excelled things our society doesn’t necessarily value - like child rearing and care giving. Alix is a horrible person, and I’m not really sure what Kelley is.
I read this in two days so, yeah, I’d say it was enjoyable.
For some reason, I thought Such a Fun Age was going to be about something completely different than what it is, so I avoided reading it for a long time. I’m glad it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, because I like this story a lot better.
I like that Emira was somewhat adrift, and excelled things our society doesn’t necessarily value - like child rearing and care giving. Alix is a horrible person, and I’m not really sure what Kelley is.
I read this in two days so, yeah, I’d say it was enjoyable.
Loved this, gripping and clever and surprising. Love Emira and Zaras relationship and how Zara becomes Emiras ladder to save herself.
This book was okay. It was a quick and easy read that kept me turning the pages, but without any real attachment to the central storyline (the events surrounding the grocery store video) or affinity for any of the characters. For the most part, the characters felt underdeveloped and one-dimensional. The premise was promising and it does a decent job of exposing the ways that white people often “unintentionally” do and say racist things, which was for sure the most redeeming part about the novel. The ending didn’t feel fulfilling. Maybe it was just over-hyped, but I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I’d be.
In Such a Fun Age, Alix Chamberlain, a successful feminist blogger, has always known the perfect way to ask for the things she wants in life. Asking has always opened doors for her and allowed her to build her brand. One day she sends her baby sitter, Emira Tucker, out late in the evening with her daughter Briar Chamberlain. Alix doesn’t think of the implications until it’s too late. Emira, a black woman, is stopped by some “concerned citizens” with the white Briar. This incident is filmed and causes ripples through the Chamberlain household. Alix wants to help Emira, even as part of her past creeps into the present. With Emira at the cusp of wanting to start her adult life and Alix pushing her help on her, the situation comes to a head.
Favorite Quote
“I think it best we went our separate ways, and that those paths never crossed again.” ― Kiley Reid, Such a Fun Age
Why I liked Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
All the hype about this book is true! Kiley Reid delivers a complex narrative about race, class and how they interact in a way that is relatable. I was blown away by the depth of her characters and her narrative storytelling. Emira is brilliantly self-aware in contrast to the many white characters in the novel. In contrast, Alix and Kelly, are not as aware of their place in the world, or their effect on others.
Reid has raised the bar for narratives about race in the modern context. The scenes she wrote between Emira and Alix and between Alix and Kelly highlighted many dynamics that are usually invisible. She got to the heart of how white people can be well-intentioned but still so so wrong about racism and its effects. Reid started a conversation in this book about how woke culture can lead to continued racism that society needs to have.
I listened to the story which is narrated by Nicole Lewis. Lewis made the characters come to life by affecting different accents and styles of speech. I recommend listening to this book since it was so well narrated. Either way, listening or reading, this book is my favorite book of the year (CALLING IT NOW!) for modern literature. At the very least, it will be the one to beat!
Favorite Quote
“I think it best we went our separate ways, and that those paths never crossed again.” ― Kiley Reid, Such a Fun Age
Why I liked Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
All the hype about this book is true! Kiley Reid delivers a complex narrative about race, class and how they interact in a way that is relatable. I was blown away by the depth of her characters and her narrative storytelling. Emira is brilliantly self-aware in contrast to the many white characters in the novel. In contrast, Alix and Kelly, are not as aware of their place in the world, or their effect on others.
Reid has raised the bar for narratives about race in the modern context. The scenes she wrote between Emira and Alix and between Alix and Kelly highlighted many dynamics that are usually invisible. She got to the heart of how white people can be well-intentioned but still so so wrong about racism and its effects. Reid started a conversation in this book about how woke culture can lead to continued racism that society needs to have.
I listened to the story which is narrated by Nicole Lewis. Lewis made the characters come to life by affecting different accents and styles of speech. I recommend listening to this book since it was so well narrated. Either way, listening or reading, this book is my favorite book of the year (CALLING IT NOW!) for modern literature. At the very least, it will be the one to beat!
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whew this was a ride the entire way through. All of the characters were complex, and pretty stuck in their own lives and ways of thinking. I was on the edge of my seat as I read!
Everybody in this story is an asshole. Lovely read though.