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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
A fun, light read featuring a story about being black in America. Emira, a smart, black, 25 year old, with no clue about where her life should be going, takes a job as a nanny to a rich white woman, who clings to Emira's ethnicity just a little too much. Emira also acquires a white boyfriend who just loves the dark ladies as well. In some ways, this a story of manners among the educated. An entertaining, well told story that will be filmed as a comedy (I surmise).
This book is written as a light and breezy story, but it's actually very deep with issues that are very relevant. I could not STAND Alix, one of the main viewpoints. She was a bully and a brat and so condescending, but she managed to justify all of her actions. I liked Emira...I felt bad for her the whole book. She didn't know who to trust...and her story line was very eye opening to me. Great book.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Really well written book of a young college educated black woman Emira, who baby sits for a white family in Philadelphia. After being accused of kidnapping her charge while at an upscale grocery, which is filmed by another customer, Emira suddenly finds herself the center of everyone's attention. Everyone, her white employer, her new white boyfriend, her employer's friends and even her friends have opinions as to what she should do about the video, when Emira just wants to ignore it and chalk it up as an unfortunate though not surprising event. The employer and boyfriend turn out to have gone to high school together and each maligns the other's intentions to Emira. They are incredibly condescending in telling her how to respond and what her life should be. I thought the ending was appropriate. I hated how Alix's friend had been so bossy because Emira didn't know exactly what she wanted to do with her life yet.
It is a sign of great writing when I have to put the book down and walk away because I'm mad at a character or think "that f*#@ing b*%$h, no she didn't!".
Reid's storytelling skills are amazing. The exploration of race, class, "being a grown up", and relationships is done with clarity and compassion.
Reid's storytelling skills are amazing. The exploration of race, class, "being a grown up", and relationships is done with clarity and compassion.
funny
reflective
sad
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn’t really resonate with me, but it was an interesting portrayal of the controversy still at play between rich whites and black middle class. Emira kicks butt - Alix is so immature and superficial
Not my favorite but an ok read. A very fun plot twists.
Not my favorite but an ok read. A very fun plot twists.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated