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A review by 13rebecca13
The List by Yomi Adegoke
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As soon as I heard about the release of this book, I knew I'd have to read it as soon as possible because I was very interested in the topic, having read plenty of Me Too books in the past. I would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook version, narrated by Sheila Atim and Arinzé Kene, as well as the Q&A with Sheila and Yomi afterwards.
Ola Olajide, a journalist at Womxxxn is due to marry Michael Koranteng, a podcaster who has just been hired at CuRated. The two are a power couple with social media claiming them to be the pinnacle of Black love.
On Michael's first day at his new job, an anonymous list is posted online naming and shaming creators and people of power who have been abusive. Michael's name is on The List. Normally, feminist Ola would be all over this but when she realises that her fiancé has been named, she is torn.
I don't like a miscommunication trope and I felt the whole way through that if Michael had just spoken to Ola, all of this could have been sorted sooner. However, the novel does open up a lot of discussion and debate around just how trustworthy the internet can be, the effects of trolling and gossip-fodder websites as well as what you would do if a man in your life was accused. Would you then be seen as an enabler or apologist?
The characters really came to life with Atim and Kene's narration and there were a few things I thought weren't developed enough such as their backgrounds, and I struggled to believe their "Instagram-famous" status. I also would have liked the book to end before (trying to keep this spoiler free!) Jackie's part but I do understand why it was done.
I really enjoyed the differences in how Ola and Michael's friends rally around them during this time. They are done in very different ways which was eye-opening. An entertaining read and I read that it will be adapted for TV which I think will work well.
Ola Olajide, a journalist at Womxxxn is due to marry Michael Koranteng, a podcaster who has just been hired at CuRated. The two are a power couple with social media claiming them to be the pinnacle of Black love.
On Michael's first day at his new job, an anonymous list is posted online naming and shaming creators and people of power who have been abusive. Michael's name is on The List. Normally, feminist Ola would be all over this but when she realises that her fiancé has been named, she is torn.
I don't like a miscommunication trope and I felt the whole way through that if Michael had just spoken to Ola, all of this could have been sorted sooner. However, the novel does open up a lot of discussion and debate around just how trustworthy the internet can be, the effects of trolling and gossip-fodder websites as well as what you would do if a man in your life was accused. Would you then be seen as an enabler or apologist?
The characters really came to life with Atim and Kene's narration and there were a few things I thought weren't developed enough such as their backgrounds, and I struggled to believe their "Instagram-famous" status. I also would have liked the book to end before (trying to keep this spoiler free!) Jackie's part but I do understand why it was done.
I really enjoyed the differences in how Ola and Michael's friends rally around them during this time. They are done in very different ways which was eye-opening. An entertaining read and I read that it will be adapted for TV which I think will work well.