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stellaaa1102's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
audreads100's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
buttercupita's review against another edition
3.0
It surprised me how long it took for this book to make good on the promise of its blurb -- the incident happens at the beginning, but nothing much comes of it until almost the end. It seemed that Reid got more caught up in the tensions of her white characters' romantic drama than the more serious and timely issues of racism that the book advertises itself as being about. Nonetheless, the themes of race, class, and gender are rich in this book, and would make for a really interesting book club discussion!
marysessions's review against another edition
3.0
deals with the complex issue of race in a modern setting
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn’t excited about the premise, but I kept seeing this novel so picked it up. The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m not sure who we were supposed to identify as life seemed to just carry along our main character with little to no direction from her. The side characters were either under developed or vacillated between comically good/bad actions and intentions. I’m glad so many liked this but it just wasn’t a fit for me.
jessielinden1's review against another edition
3.0
I could barely put this down and was captivated by Reid’s smooth style, I guess I would call it. Her imagery flows so well, and mirrors Emiras coolness that she projects, even though of course she has worries and pain inside like everyone else. I loved the subtle perspective shifts from chapter to chapter, something that I haven’t minded being more obvious in other books but appreciated the added stealthiness here. It added to the smoothness which I think added to the feeling that these cringey crazy moments between Emira and Alix come so easily to people (read: “woke” people). It’s pretty terrifying just how easy, at least to me. In her smooth and engaging style, she also included so many aspects to racial violence and inequality in America, such as colorism, saviorism, general supremacist and classist delusions, stereotypes against young Black women, police brutality, the list goes on.
I really like that there are aspects to the white characters in particular that I can feel in my gut are wrong but I’m still trying to figure out all the whys, elusive and subjective though they may be. I think Reid succeeded in creating many complex individuals (Emira and Alix yes, but also Kelley and Tamra come to mind) who challenge the reader to critically think about them, and reflect.
I really like that there are aspects to the white characters in particular that I can feel in my gut are wrong but I’m still trying to figure out all the whys, elusive and subjective though they may be. I think Reid succeeded in creating many complex individuals (Emira and Alix yes, but also Kelley and Tamra come to mind) who challenge the reader to critically think about them, and reflect.
laurenbisignano's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
exorcismemily's review against another edition
4.0
"You're not helping anyone but yourself."
Such a Fun Age is Kiley Reid's debut novel, and she is definitely an author to watch! I really liked her writing, and she's a good storyteller. This book held my attention the whole time.
I love a dramatic story, and this one was really good because it also covers important and realistic issues. I really enjoyed reading it.
I appreciated that Emira didn't know what she wanted to do with her life - I felt the same way when I was her age, so that was relatable. I wish that we would have gotten to know her and her friends a little more.
Alix reminded me of Harlowe in Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera, and both of these books do a great job of showing why white feminism sucks. There are so many cringey actions by the white women in these books who believe they're doing good things for others, and both books show great examples of how NOT to be.
I definitely recommend picking up this book, and I can't wait to see what Kiley Reid does next!
Such a Fun Age is Kiley Reid's debut novel, and she is definitely an author to watch! I really liked her writing, and she's a good storyteller. This book held my attention the whole time.
I love a dramatic story, and this one was really good because it also covers important and realistic issues. I really enjoyed reading it.
I appreciated that Emira didn't know what she wanted to do with her life - I felt the same way when I was her age, so that was relatable. I wish that we would have gotten to know her and her friends a little more.
Alix reminded me of Harlowe in Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera, and both of these books do a great job of showing why white feminism sucks. There are so many cringey actions by the white women in these books who believe they're doing good things for others, and both books show great examples of how NOT to be.
I definitely recommend picking up this book, and I can't wait to see what Kiley Reid does next!
turleyboo37's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
****spoilers****
Ooooooooo that was not what I was expecting. I don't know what I went in to it wanting or expecting, but the first half did not set me up for the second half. The character development for everyoneeee (but mainly alix omg) is absolutely what kept me going. The way the perspectives changed throughout the chapters when the tension was high: ahhh i love, especially when it was alix vs kelly. And i am SO GLAD that emira removed herself from both alix and kelly, and there was no choosing one person over the other despite it being set up for that. Alix is a psycho, favourite character 1000%. It was such a page turner, aggressive recommendation to everyone ever.
****spoilers****
Ooooooooo that was not what I was expecting. I don't know what I went in to it wanting or expecting, but the first half did not set me up for the second half. The character development for everyoneeee (but mainly alix omg) is absolutely what kept me going. The way the perspectives changed throughout the chapters when the tension was high: ahhh i love, especially when it was alix vs kelly. And i am SO GLAD that emira removed herself from both alix and kelly, and there was no choosing one person over the other despite it being set up for that. Alix is a psycho, favourite character 1000%. It was such a page turner, aggressive recommendation to everyone ever.