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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sigh. I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I loved the character of Emira and her relationship with the little girl she nannies for and I think the author has a good ear for dialogue. However, this book is in want of a better editor. Some sentences and paragraphs just left me shaking my head and wondering what the author was trying to say. The book tries to be deep and meaningful but I found myself just not caring and wanting it to be over with. I always say that not every book is for every reader and this one just wasn't for me.
It was a very well written book and definitely brought up strong emotions in me while I read it.
What a narcissistic self absorbed prat of a woman Alix is! I can see how her entitled upbringing could make her unable to deal with being rejected. However, her belief that what she was doing, snooping, was justified since she was paying a person to look after her daughter is ridiculous. Race is front and center in this book. And while the majority of the drama was caused by Alix, the only one I feel sorry for in this book is the little girl, Briar, who was an innocent bystander in the shit show her mother made, her babysitter participated in, and all the other secondary characters who made assumptions and gave advice.
What a narcissistic self absorbed prat of a woman Alix is! I can see how her entitled upbringing could make her unable to deal with being rejected. However, her belief that what she was doing, snooping, was justified since she was paying a person to look after her daughter is ridiculous. Race is front and center in this book. And while the majority of the drama was caused by Alix, the only one I feel sorry for in this book is the little girl, Briar, who was an innocent bystander in the shit show her mother made, her babysitter participated in, and all the other secondary characters who made assumptions and gave advice.
Such a great book! I could not put it down. The constant tension between the adult characters was fascinating. I loved how Emira’s friends loved her and always looked out for her. I loved how Emira loved Briar and created their own world together. The story could have taken place any time in the past 40 years or so but it was more meaningful set amidst today’s political and cultural landscape.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was something. It took me a bit to get into this book, the beginning was a bit slow, but oh my oh my did it pick up the pace later on. VERY anxiety inducing, that’s for sure, but absolutely brilliant. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed by the ending or felt like it was rushed, the book was not exactly only about Emira and her growth, so it made sense. I feel like it wrapped up things nicely. Literally couldn’t put this book down at some point and had to go to sleep too late.
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge-Prompt #11: Book with discussion questions inside
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some friends have read this so I thought it was time. Very strong writing, characters are complex, dialogue very well done especially across variety of voices. Lots to think about regarding race and class and the stories some of us tell ourselves. The "fun age" could be three or twenty-five or the fact that the story takes place when hopes are high for Hillary Clinton's campaign or . . . .
At 25 Emira is about to go off her parents' health insurance, has two part-time jobs in Philadelphia, and hasn't really found her passion yet; older Alix has moved recently and is missing New York and her rather high-flying life, now with a newborn and an almost three-year-old. Emira comes to babysit the older daughter Briar and the two women are set on a collision course by society and Alix's habit of "hiring it out."
At 25 Emira is about to go off her parents' health insurance, has two part-time jobs in Philadelphia, and hasn't really found her passion yet; older Alix has moved recently and is missing New York and her rather high-flying life, now with a newborn and an almost three-year-old. Emira comes to babysit the older daughter Briar and the two women are set on a collision course by society and Alix's habit of "hiring it out."