thevioletfoxbookshop's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book absolutely floored me! I devoured the entire thing in one weekend. It's a fast read, but don't let that fool you - it's jam packed with heavy emotion, big issues, and uncomfortable truths.
Everything's Fine is the debut novel by Cecilia Rabess that will leave you unsettled, eyes wide, knowing one thing for certain - everything is definitely not fine. It's the story of a young Black woman, her career in New York City finance, and her relationship with Josh, a white conservative man. So it is about a relationship, but it's more of an enemies to questionable friends to toxic relationship lovers, but still kind of enemies all along kind of story. It's about racism, politics, class, sexism, capitalism, identity, and so much more. There's so much to unpack and consider in this book and it is incredibly difficult to read on an emotional level because it can be very triggering.
I'll be honest - I've typed and deleted paragraphs of this review over and over. It's difficult to find the words. I think it's going to make a big splash when it hits shelves - people are either going to rave or rage about it. I'm not going to pretend that I understood all of it (because I can never fully understand what it's like to be a Black woman in the US), but I will say that this book has made me THINK. And that more than anything - the thinking and consideration - is important.
This book is such a mix of opposites. A black liberal woman in a relationship with a white conservative man. So simply put yet so complex and layered. an absolute page-turner somehow dealing with numerous divisive issues. It's about what unites us and what divides us. It is simultaneously vulnerable and scathing. It's both analytical and deeply personal. You'll get it, but you won't. You'll keep turning the pages wanting more, but it will also make you sick. You'll feel a lot like Jess - you know you shouldn't and it's not good for you, but you can't help yourself.
I know this book has been very controversial. But here's the thing - in my opinion - just because the book deal with difficult, uncomfortable, ugly stuff, does not mean it was a bad book. The controversy means conversation is happening about this stuff and I think that matters.
I know this book has been very controversial. But here's the thing - in my opinion - just because the book deal with difficult, uncomfortable, ugly stuff, does not mean it was a bad book. The controversy means conversation is happening about this stuff and I think that matters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Racism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Classism and Sexism
Minor: Police brutality
literaryintersections's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I finished this a month ago. And I have no words for this book. Honestly. It is not only extremely offensive, it’s harmful. It’s underwritten. It’s underdeveloped. It’s fast paced at times but with unclear timelines. It is EXTREMELY triggering for Black people to read. And yet. And yet…..
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Grief
bookishmikay's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Racism, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Cancer, Physical abuse, and Antisemitism
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