Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Queenie

Oh, Queenie.

This took me quite some time to get through, which is why I can't really give it more than three stars. (Like, the first 250 pages took me over a month...). The structure just didn't do it for me. It's kind of messy, but it makes sense, because Queenie is kind of messy. She's an infuriating main character who just keeps on making bad decisions for herself and ends up in so many unfortunate situations, but I did root for her nevertheless. Her healing process for the last hundred pages or so (spoiler?) was what saved the book in my opinion. And, ultimately, Queenie is indeed a book "of the moment". I'm glad I read it.

Sidenote: I still cannot fathom that so many people have described this book as "funny"? I chuckled maybe twice, but for the most part it's sad and bleak, with so much self-destructive behaviour. (I lost track of the amount of times I mumbled "please go to therapy" into the pages). It covers a significant amount of very heavy themes (I literally added fourteen content warnings on the storygraph), so if you're looking for a light beach read, this is not it. Not every book should be easily digestible though.

Content Warnings

lowkeymarie's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

maddyj153's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

alicelalicon's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

deesquared's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Queenie” is a book that I fell in love with as it portrays race, love, mental health, and self-acceptance. It is hard not to love our titular character, Queenie, as we meet her at her lowest. Struggling after a breakup and being looked over and pushed back at her job, she is on the verge of a breakdown. She is unable to see the version of her that we do, a caring, intelligent, and loving person.

As Queenie spirals we see her make decisions to try and comfort herself and chooses sex as her method to do so. These sections were difficult to read as the men are abusive, manipulative, and cause her physical harm. I would warn those who read it that there are scenes of sexual abuse and harassment. Not only this but these men seek her out due to her race, and have a fantasy of being with a black woman. The way these men treat her is heartbreaking and made my blood boil, and even more shattering is Queenie’s viewpoint that she doesn’t deserve any better.

One of the things I liked most about this book and praise it for would be the challenges and commentary Candice Carty-Williams makes on stereotypes. As Queenie seeks help for her mental health, we are shown the cultural stigma around mental health and therapy. She is the granddaughter of Jamaican immigrants and expects that they will be angry and upset at her for going to therapy. Instead, she receives an outpouring of love from her family and friends. Another stereotype that she makes abundantly clear and shows the traumatising effect of, is the fetishization of black women.

Through it all, Queenie has the support of her friends. I would love to have Kyazike as one of my best friends if only fictional characters were real-life people. Their Whatsapp group reminds me of my own group chats with friends, hilarious moments filled with honest and heartwarming friendship. They support each other and are there for Queenie no matter what.

Pitched as the next “Bridget Jones,” I couldn’t disagree more. This is a book that I devoured and has its funny uplifting moments. But underneath is a much more complex story that tackles race and mental health. Queenie herself is a character that you love from the moment you meet her.

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