A review by absolutive
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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

3.5

This was a coming of age novel compressed into a year in the life of a Black woman in her 20s in London. The novel was predictable with its arc, but had important things to say about race and class and sex and friendship. It was quite dark at times, but always clear that it would end on an uplifting note. For such a smart, current, racially sophisticated book, with its diversity of characters and nuance of perspectives, the novel was surprisingly heteronormative, and focused on boys. As one character says: "One of these days we'll go a week of conversation where we can pass the Bechdel Test!" The book too often failed this test. 

I really loved the protagonist Queenie's group of friends, The Corgis, who, like those fluffy friends, provide emotional support and love for the Queen. The friends were all distinct characters, each bonded with some different aspect of Queenie's personality and history, and in at least two cases offered unconditional love through challenging times in touching ways. 
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