ivyldc 's review for:

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

5.0

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Margo, Jinx, and Bodie and Hungry Ghost, of course, are vivid and unforgettable characters. Margo’s smart as a whip and dumb as a stump because she’s 19 years old and sleeping with her college English Professor. She ends up pregnant, and  in a fit of pique decides to keep the baby, Bodie. Confronted with the reality that babies and roommates don’t mix and childcare is unaffordable, she winds up living with her Dad, retired pro wrestler Dr. Jinx and starting an only fans page. The book explores themes of truth, fiction, narrative,  point of view, perspective, and who is speaking in a story—author or character. And it’s also about love, shame, acceptance, and hypocrisy. For a book about sex work, this is a closed door book. I feel like Rufi Thorpe wrote such a smart book it will take some time to really digest it. This would be an excellent book club selection.