A review by backaswords
The Free People's Village by Sim Kern

adventurous challenging emotional informative sad 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

4.0

This is a book I think white people who have been doing anti-racism and anti-colonial work will really enjoy. The MC doesn’t become a white savior, the marginalized characters are well rounded, and there’s a realistic depiction of progressive movements and how they ebb and flow. 

The alternate timeline where Gore is elected aptly shows how a green movement wouldn’t be anti-racist and would still bend to capitalism and racism. The cast is diverse with lots of queer characters, which I love. 

I would not recommend this to a BIPOC person as the depictions of police brutality and the lessons the MC learns might be triggering and honestly annoying. She’s a white lady learning her privilege and that was often annoying for me, but mostly because it reminded me of my own journey and how annoying I was (and probably still am). 
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