A review by lottiegasp
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

reflective medium-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

3.25

Covers topics of race and class, including the exploration of two white characters who in their own ways think they are the good guys and anti-racist but who nevertheless manipulate the Black protagonist to suit their own agendas. I like how neither of these white characters are entirely bad, and white readers like myself might even relate to them in certain ways, so it's important to examine those feelings and consider how our good intentions can still cause harm in Black and other racialised people. I was a little bored at the beginning as the topics seemed a bit vapid (I believe this was necessary to develop Alix's character, but the fact was that it was a still a bit boring) but it developed into an interesting examination of the characters and satisfying dramatic ending. I appreciated the depiction of Emira's experience struggling with money and how that affected all aspects of her life (her job choices which affected her life fulfilment, her relationships with her friends and boyfriend who all had more money than her). I thought Emira's relationship with 3-year-old Briar was sweet and it evoked the complicated feeling of loving a child who you're being paid to spend time with and who will one day forget you (and may even turn into a typical privileged white lady). And I liked the intersection of race and class, where there were two notable Black characters who were very wealthy and how their experiences are different to Emira's. In Shaunie's case she was sometimes naive but overall generous and mostly harmless, while Tamra was pretty problematic.

I didnt think the writing was amazing, but it's an easy read, and deals with its serious topics in quite an accessible and light way.
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