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evalynnfarkashasanbasri 's review for:
Seven Days in June
by Tia Williams
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book felt like the embodiment of fantasy in the way that, a fantasy is something one may dream about, but not something you actually would want in reality. More to the point: Who would actually want to date someone you had a situationship with as a teenager for only a week, as a grown or still growing, responsible, mature adult and parent? Especially a person who you may have engaged in substance abuse with, as well as negative coping mechanisms, for very real, ongoing issues and/or serious physical and emotional pain. The chemistry of this pair was not believable for me. We are told it is there, but I could not feel it... Which was not helped by the male love interest saying our main protagonist looked "so slutty" as a compliment, even if it was to himself. Gross. Though there were some sweet moments, they could have stayed broken up at the end and I would have found that reasonable.
I had to start this book three separate times, because the first chapter and its depiction of chronic illness was so authentic for me and what I have experienced personally, minus the part where the main character now has doctors who listen and prescription medications that help her function. Though it made me nauseous to read because I empathized so much, the disability representation in this book was honestly one of the best parts.
I also really appreciated the humor of this book when it appeared, the Black pop culture and literary references to absolute icons (Michelle Obama, Ta-Nehisi Coates, James Baldwin, Shonda Rhimes, and so many others) and the various topics this novel tried to tackle such as having a narcissistic parent, being a foster kid, alcoholism, honesty with our children about strained familial relationships, etc. This author was trying to accomplish a lot in one novel.
I do wish that the "curse" the women in Eva's family was addressed more directly for what it was earlier on, though: Being mentally and physically unwell in a country that demonizes black women, and thus does very little to provide them with/actively denies the resources or safety to access health and wellness. The story of her ancestors alone would have been an interesting book.
I had to start this book three separate times, because the first chapter and its depiction of chronic illness was so authentic for me and what I have experienced personally, minus the part where the main character now has doctors who listen and prescription medications that help her function. Though it made me nauseous to read because I empathized so much, the disability representation in this book was honestly one of the best parts.
I also really appreciated the humor of this book when it appeared, the Black pop culture and literary references to absolute icons (Michelle Obama, Ta-Nehisi Coates, James Baldwin, Shonda Rhimes, and so many others) and the various topics this novel tried to tackle such as having a narcissistic parent, being a foster kid, alcoholism, honesty with our children about strained familial relationships, etc. This author was trying to accomplish a lot in one novel.
I do wish that the "curse" the women in Eva's family was addressed more directly for what it was earlier on, though: Being mentally and physically unwell in a country that demonizes black women, and thus does very little to provide them with/actively denies the resources or safety to access health and wellness. The story of her ancestors alone would have been an interesting book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol