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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Originally I felt like I was behind the curve reading this book, but now I feel like I couldn't have read it at a better time. The biggest thing I got out of this book was a greater awareness of the subtle ways that racism permeates our society and how white people who think they're helping are actually continuing to contribute to the problem. This book really made me reflect on my privilege and my good intentions that can be hurtful in reality. In the wake of George Floyd's murder, I've tried to be very intentional about searching online, studying and absorbing posts from BIPOC voices, and reflecting about what I can do better. I encourage other white readers out there to do the same. I also encourage white readers to read reviews from POC on this book (and all books) to see how the book mirrors BIPOC experiences.
Such a Fun Age opens with Emira getting a frantic call one evening from Alix asking if Emira can babysit last minute in the midst of a family emergency. Emira drops everything she's doing to pick up 3-year-old Briar and take her to the local grocery store as a distraction. While there, Emira (who's African-American) is accused of kidnapping Briar (who's white); Emira is held at the store until Briar's father arrives and vouches for her. The whole scene is recorded by a bystander, a young white man who approaches Emira after the incident, urging her to go public. After this incident, Alix, who previously all but ignored her babysitter, goes to great lengths to befriend Emira to the point of obsession. Meanwhile, Emira's path crosses once more with Kelley, the young man who videotaped the incident; as their relationship builds, Kelley grows more and more insistent about Emira's reaction to the incident and to her continued employment with Alix. Emira, who's trying to figure out her own place in the world, tries to move past the incident, but finds herself dragged back to it over and over by the white people in her life with "good intentions."
I could not stop listening to this book. The pacing throughout the book was perfect; there was never any point that I felt was dragging. I thought the character development was spot on. Emira's character was so multi-dimensional; she was the epitome of the responsible babysitter completely in tune with her charge's needs, but she was also the 25-year-old who liked to party with her best friends and the young woman trying to decide what to do with her life. Alix was the perfect person to hate but also the perfect person to expose the things I need to change with my life; she was completely self-absorbed, consumed with her white guilt and her need for Emira to like her and see she wasn't racist. Kelley was the example of the "woke" white person who thought he knew what Emira needed more than she did. The commentary on the nuances of systemic racism was so layered and enlightening; it was also so subtle at times that I know I didn't catch all of it. This compelling story was perfectly executed, and I highly recommend to any reader.
Such a Fun Age opens with Emira getting a frantic call one evening from Alix asking if Emira can babysit last minute in the midst of a family emergency. Emira drops everything she's doing to pick up 3-year-old Briar and take her to the local grocery store as a distraction. While there, Emira (who's African-American) is accused of kidnapping Briar (who's white); Emira is held at the store until Briar's father arrives and vouches for her. The whole scene is recorded by a bystander, a young white man who approaches Emira after the incident, urging her to go public. After this incident, Alix, who previously all but ignored her babysitter, goes to great lengths to befriend Emira to the point of obsession. Meanwhile, Emira's path crosses once more with Kelley, the young man who videotaped the incident; as their relationship builds, Kelley grows more and more insistent about Emira's reaction to the incident and to her continued employment with Alix. Emira, who's trying to figure out her own place in the world, tries to move past the incident, but finds herself dragged back to it over and over by the white people in her life with "good intentions."
I could not stop listening to this book. The pacing throughout the book was perfect; there was never any point that I felt was dragging. I thought the character development was spot on. Emira's character was so multi-dimensional; she was the epitome of the responsible babysitter completely in tune with her charge's needs, but she was also the 25-year-old who liked to party with her best friends and the young woman trying to decide what to do with her life. Alix was the perfect person to hate but also the perfect person to expose the things I need to change with my life; she was completely self-absorbed, consumed with her white guilt and her need for Emira to like her and see she wasn't racist. Kelley was the example of the "woke" white person who thought he knew what Emira needed more than she did. The commentary on the nuances of systemic racism was so layered and enlightening; it was also so subtle at times that I know I didn't catch all of it. This compelling story was perfectly executed, and I highly recommend to any reader.
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-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 book stressed me the f out. As a black woman, so many of these conversations were so stressful to undergo even secondhand.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a Fun Age is a light-hearted and enjoyable read, probably aimed at women in their 20's. As someone who fits into that bracket, I resonated with the storyline of this book and the struggles of deciding what to do with your life at a time when you're seeking spontenaity and freedom.
But, this book also touches upon the issues of racial prejudice still common in society. The central character, Emira, is a babysitter accused of kidnapping the child she was entrusted to look after. While this isn't entirely surprising to her, those around her are shocked by the institutionalised racism that Emira faces.
We follow Emira after the incident as she begins to delve deeper into her identity and decide what she wants to do with her life, whilst those around her expose their true colours.
But, this book also touches upon the issues of racial prejudice still common in society. The central character, Emira, is a babysitter accused of kidnapping the child she was entrusted to look after. While this isn't entirely surprising to her, those around her are shocked by the institutionalised racism that Emira faces.
We follow Emira after the incident as she begins to delve deeper into her identity and decide what she wants to do with her life, whilst those around her expose their true colours.
I loved this book. I imagine it's one I will read a few more times before grasping all of the hidden meanings.
Again with a book that is receiving a lot of media and book club attention, I was nervous that the hype would ruin it for me. But this was not the case. The interesting balance between the contrasting characters creates such a rich story that I was completely enthralled the entire time reading. Emira, dealing with racial discrimination on top of growing into adulthood is incredibly relatable. And Kiley Reid does an amazing job of making Alix Chamberlain the embodiment of white guilt. I'll be rereading this at some point, because there is just so much to unpack.
Again with a book that is receiving a lot of media and book club attention, I was nervous that the hype would ruin it for me. But this was not the case. The interesting balance between the contrasting characters creates such a rich story that I was completely enthralled the entire time reading. Emira, dealing with racial discrimination on top of growing into adulthood is incredibly relatable. And Kiley Reid does an amazing job of making Alix Chamberlain the embodiment of white guilt. I'll be rereading this at some point, because there is just so much to unpack.