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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
An escalator at Anthropologie? High schoolers flying from Allentown to DC? A snowstorm the whole week of Thanksgiving that cancels a flight from Philly to...Frederick? I'm finding it hard to suspend my disbelief at this "Philadelphia."
I babysat for these people, literally in Old City for someone with the exact same name as the main character (the high school version of her name) and I really wanted to like this book, but this wasn't the one for me. I even babysat for another Alex who had me come over after for an emergency after a night at Triumph, so like, I'm right there, and I feel like this book is not. I'm fascinated by the premise and would love to read a realistic book about this kind of race/class divide in Philadelphia, especially with a babysitter, but maybe I'm a little too close to Philadelphia to appreciate this in fiction.
I babysat for these people, literally in Old City for someone with the exact same name as the main character (the high school version of her name) and I really wanted to like this book, but this wasn't the one for me. I even babysat for another Alex who had me come over after for an emergency after a night at Triumph, so like, I'm right there, and I feel like this book is not. I'm fascinated by the premise and would love to read a realistic book about this kind of race/class divide in Philadelphia, especially with a babysitter, but maybe I'm a little too close to Philadelphia to appreciate this in fiction.
I can't believe that this is Kiley Reid's first book. If this is the first, what will her second and third be like? It was a book that made me think and I really appreciated that it felt like I wasn't supposed to like any of the characters unconditionally (though there definitely were characters I was supposed to like more/less than others). Reid really made me think and question what I was reading and I'm looking forward to discussing it with others. I can understand when some people here have written that they felt the book was missing something. Its core strength is really that it creates a space for Reid to explore and discuss her main focus (race and class issues), and with that the ending for example felt a bit rushed. That said, I really enjoyed it and I hope more people will read it.
Such a good book. The author made it easy to get lost in and did such a good job capturing life with little kids around. It was an interesting look at some of the more modern, subtle types of racism (and maybe agism?). Would have made a great book club book.
It is hard to believe that this book is Kiley Reid’s debut novel. Based on its success, she is going to be under a lot of pressure to match or beat it. Deservedly so. I could not put it down and caught myself gasping loudly at every new revelation. I am still scratching my head at how the debut novelist was able to pack so much into a fast read.
There are so many intersecting themes that were so well managed through the course of the book. Race, privilege, miscommunication, imposter experience, identity crisis, and so much more. Each of these subjects getting adequate coverage and without the need of a sprawling array of characters and subplots.
What’s really interesting is that Kiley Reid does not attempt to answer or justify any position on these topics. Her characters are flawed in every perceivable way. Each of them is blameless and a victim in one moment, while also blameworthy and guilty victimizer on the end. With the thread of miscommunication layered on for added effect.
There are so many intersecting themes that were so well managed through the course of the book. Race, privilege, miscommunication, imposter experience, identity crisis, and so much more. Each of these subjects getting adequate coverage and without the need of a sprawling array of characters and subplots.
What’s really interesting is that Kiley Reid does not attempt to answer or justify any position on these topics. Her characters are flawed in every perceivable way. Each of them is blameless and a victim in one moment, while also blameworthy and guilty victimizer on the end. With the thread of miscommunication layered on for added effect.
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
funny
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
Goed thema, omgang tussen gekleurde en witte mensen, rijk en arme mensen, maar ik hield er een nikserig gevoel aan over. Wellicht omdat het opbouwde naar een climax en ontknoping.