Reviews tagging Gaslighting

Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid

21 reviews

dejathor28's review

funny informative reflective 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

3.5

One word to describe this book; underwhelming. I believe this book had the potential to really be informative and highlight performance activism but it fell flat for me. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Gaslighting

uppercasenoises's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really enjoyed the perspectives of both characters and liked the story overall. Something felt lacking for me plot wise, but I haven't been able to put my finger on it. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone looking to gain perspective on the experience of being a Black young women, specifically working as a

Spoiler

nanny

. Also deals with a romance, although it is not the primary focus. Dual POV, limited third person.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Alcohol, Classism, Gaslighting, and Hate crime

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Police brutality, and Sexism

Handles complex views on race, gender, romance, and employment.

Spoiler

No happy ending with regard to the romance.

Spice: 1/5, brief sexual content

radfordmanor's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Racism, and Toxic relationship

thatgirlcrystal's review

reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Classism, and Racism

Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Bullying, and Gaslighting

Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, and Police brutality

The inciting incident doesn’t go to the point of police brutality but could be triggering how close it could have come to it.

kyrstin_p1989's review

challenging emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

A brilliant story that on the surface is about two people who can’t let go of the past but when you dig deeper is about their need to not be racist, no matter the cost. This book outlines the way that well-meaning white liberals (especially the women) make choices for and about the Black women in their lives, instead of treating those women like true equals and giving them the space to make their own choices. Reid highlights the way white people often think they know what is best or just for Black people without asking or trying to understand a different perspective while also telling a complex coming of age story filled with love and loss. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Classism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

hannahbailey's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed the plot, characters and setting. It was a really thought-provoking and nuanced read. I loved the focus on this one moment in all the characters' lives that changed things forever - but in other ways changed nothing at all. It was an interesting look into how we perceive events and interact with others, and how white people can change or influence the narrative with their own bias, prejudice and systemic power. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Hate crime, and Gaslighting

nenya's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-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 was simply amazing. As a white person, I think it’s so important to read it and to reflect upon yourself. It’s got several very important lessons about casual as well as explicit racism and what it means to actually be anti-racist. One of the biggest topics is the fetishization of POC which is an equally disturbing and important element of the plot. What I also love is the relationship between the protagonist Emira and the child she‘s babysitting, Briar. It’s so heartwarming and yet cruel because their relationship is based on a transaction making it difficult to define the difference of professionalism/a job well done and family love. Over all, this book will leave you with so many wow moments and opportunities to rethink your views on race. It’s an easy five stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Classism, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, Sexual content, and Vomit

basicbookstagrammer's review

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Emotional abuse

kellyofcali's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has a juicy, gossipy feel (in the best way) that keeps you hooked while also exploring themes of race, racism, and privilege amidst all the drama. I had mixed feelings about the ending (but then, what in real life ends exactly how you want it to?), but this book will both make you think and keep you entertained!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Gaslighting

Minor: Police brutality

mandi4886's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

Minor: Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy