Scan barcode
zinelib's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Soila is so stifled by her single, entrepreneur mother in Kenya that she convinces her mother to let her go to college in America. She goes to Barnard, but the author herself went to Columbia, and it kind of shows. She graduates around the turn of the century and goes to work for a boutique investment bank. (That part works for Barnard and Columbia.) The novel is about Soila's relationships--with her mother, her Black American roommate, boyfriends (one Kenyan, one Black American), and, of course, herself.
Other than the boyfriends, and Soila's father, who died when she was five, this is a story about women. In addition to her mother, her family compound houses her four aunts and her grandmother. Her college and beyond roommate Leticia and her newfound half sister Aisha are also powerful forces in her life.
I didn't highlight anything as I read, so I don't know what to tell you about the book, other than it was an easy read, even for someone who's mostly reading genre and YA lately due to concentration issues.
Other than the boyfriends, and Soila's father, who died when she was five, this is a story about women. In addition to her mother, her family compound houses her four aunts and her grandmother. Her college and beyond roommate Leticia and her newfound half sister Aisha are also powerful forces in her life.
I didn't highlight anything as I read, so I don't know what to tell you about the book, other than it was an easy read, even for someone who's mostly reading genre and YA lately due to concentration issues.
bookish_thom's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
charlottesweeney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mrsloudlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-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
the_cat_on_a_bookcase's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Soila is a Kenyan woman who sees another future for herself than the one that her mother dreams for her. She plans to attend college in America and is able to make that dream happen with the support of her family.
This was a coming of age story that looked at the complexities of immigration, the African-American experience contrasted with the African immigrant experience, and how cultural ties drive us in our life decisions. I appreciated that nuances that were explored and the character development within the book.
This was a coming of age story that looked at the complexities of immigration, the African-American experience contrasted with the African immigrant experience, and how cultural ties drive us in our life decisions. I appreciated that nuances that were explored and the character development within the book.
dpearson5257's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such an amazing story. If you’re looking for a strong character driven story, with cultural and familial conflict this is definitely it! I applaud the author with this debut!!
loriluo's review against another edition
4.0
By all standards, Soila is a lucky girl. Raised by the women in her family in Kenya, she's watched as her mother took on the role of head of household, elevating their family's financial and societal position. Soila has never needed anything, but nonetheless, she can't help but feel constrained and burdened by the expectations and pressures placed on her, especially by her religious mother. Her only chance at escape comes with the chance to attend university abroad, and she's finally able to convince her mother to allow her to attend Barnard College in New York City, albeit a few years later than intended.
It's in NYC that Soila feels like she can finally breathe. She meets Leticia, a classmate who becomes her closest friend and roommate, and falls in love for the first time. She also gets the chance to delve into her interest in photography, immersing herself in the art available to her across the city. Nonetheless, Soila knows there's a path that she's supposed to follow, and begins working for an investment bank on Wall Street. It's only after the events of 9/11 that she's able gain perspective on her life, her relationship with her mother, and her own future - and take the risks she's been too scared to take.
I loved "Lucky Girl" for so many reasons. On a personal level, I connected with Soila given my own experience attending a competitive school and working in finance in NYC. It's clear Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu is familiar with the city, and the pitfalls of working on Wall Street. Her struggles with finding her own voice and identity, juggling the different friendships and relationships, and ultimately making the decisions that are tough and scary are ones that many readers, especially minority women, will also understand. I appreciated as well the thought-provoking discussions on privilege and race, poverty and wealth, identity when one doesn't feel "African" but also not "African American" - topics that are especially important in this day and age. The writing is beautiful and emotional, and crafts a multi-layered protagonist determined to carve her own path in life.
Very much a recommended read when it's published in May 2023!
Thank you Random House Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!
It's in NYC that Soila feels like she can finally breathe. She meets Leticia, a classmate who becomes her closest friend and roommate, and falls in love for the first time. She also gets the chance to delve into her interest in photography, immersing herself in the art available to her across the city. Nonetheless, Soila knows there's a path that she's supposed to follow, and begins working for an investment bank on Wall Street. It's only after the events of 9/11 that she's able gain perspective on her life, her relationship with her mother, and her own future - and take the risks she's been too scared to take.
I loved "Lucky Girl" for so many reasons. On a personal level, I connected with Soila given my own experience attending a competitive school and working in finance in NYC. It's clear Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu is familiar with the city, and the pitfalls of working on Wall Street. Her struggles with finding her own voice and identity, juggling the different friendships and relationships, and ultimately making the decisions that are tough and scary are ones that many readers, especially minority women, will also understand. I appreciated as well the thought-provoking discussions on privilege and race, poverty and wealth, identity when one doesn't feel "African" but also not "African American" - topics that are especially important in this day and age. The writing is beautiful and emotional, and crafts a multi-layered protagonist determined to carve her own path in life.
Very much a recommended read when it's published in May 2023!
Thank you Random House Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!
coco1922's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.75
john3945's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
There are two main reasons I think that this book is great:
1. The manner in which it explores, accurately, what the typical Kenyan parent-child relationship tends to look like.
2. The kindness and love with which the author treats the lead character, Soila, (and, by extension, all the other characters) even as she goes through her rough patches. For me, this wasn’t so much a matter of digestability (though it’s still important) and more just a reminder that she’s human.
1. The manner in which it explores, accurately, what the typical Kenyan parent-child relationship tends to look like.
2. The kindness and love with which the author treats the lead character, Soila, (and, by extension, all the other characters) even as she goes through her rough patches. For me, this wasn’t so much a matter of digestability (though it’s still important) and more just a reminder that she’s human.
saliwali's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Abortion, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Infertility, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Classism