cassiedjohnson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Alcohol, Drug use, Medical content, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, and Sexual violence
zara89's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
amaranth_wytch's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Stalking, Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Racism, and Sexual harassment
stephmcoakley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Stalking
boxofcats's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Child abuse, Classism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Minor: Abandonment
Heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time, especially if you've experienced any similar situations. Queenie felt like a best friend at a difficult time.marissab's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Dysphoria, Miscarriage, Rape, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Racial slurs
Minor: Cursing, Police brutality, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Murder, Drug use, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Violence
georgie_mb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Queenie is a modern flawed woman who I came to love through this audiobook (highly recommend listening as Tamara Lawrence is just FAB).She is going through everything from the breakdown of long-term relationships, a miscarriage, casual sex, systematic racism, workplace romances, childhood trauma and mental health issues and I just found her journey from beginning to end to inspiring.
I was truly gripped from start to finish and was rooting for Queenie like she was a real person!
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Body shaming, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
ccassidy98's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Suicide, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
aurie1000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Bullying, Miscarriage, Body shaming, and Mental illness
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Author: Candice Carty-Williams
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 2.5
Pub Date: March 19, 2019
T H R E E • W O R D S
Compelling • Vulgar • Important
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Queenie Jenkins is a twenty-five-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, caught between two cultures and not feeling entirely comfortable in either. She has worked hard to obtain a job at a national newspaper, but finds herself comparing herself to her white, middle-class peers. After a break-up with her long-term boyfriend, she seeks comfort in all the wrong places and making a string of bad decisions. As her life unravels, she questions her place and meaning in the world.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams debut, tackles a host of themes, including but not limited to female friendship, modern romantic relationships, racism, sexual harassment, mental health, childhood trauma, abuse, and interracial relationships, with candidness and honesty. Yet, because it tackles so much, at times it felt like the author's purpose was unclear and/or lost completely.
What stood out for me was definitely the writing. The natural dialogue, use of mixed media (texts, emails, etc.) and the narration of the audiobook really brought the story to life. Something else I appreciated was the mental heath aspect, which was handled with care.
However, the dark humour and Queenie's antics were not for me. I understand this is part of the artistry used by the author, yet I found it incredibly frustrating to the point of annoyance. Although in some ways Queenie's growth is evident, I am not sure she learned anything or has changed.
At the end of the day, Queenie is a powerful and important debut but was an exhausting reading experience. Sometimes there are books that are just not meant for me, and this was one of them. That's not to say this isn't a wonderful book, it simply means it wasn't the book for me. I definitely think Candice Carty-Williams is an up-and-coming author to watch.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone seeking #OwnVoices accounts
• readers who enjoyed Red At the Bone
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The road to recovery is not linear. It’s not straight. It’s a bumpy path, with lots of twists and turns. But you’re on the right track."
"Being brave isn't the same as being okay."
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Sexism