casehouse's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. The plot didn't go much of anywhere, and there was very little resolution in the end.
crankylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Kenya, the daughter of an Afrocentric intellectual and a class conscious librarian in 1980s and 90s Philadelphia, struggles to find a sense of self as she negotiates race and class divisions, and her disintegrating family. Solomon provides a strong sense of place and time to the novel, and an intriguing cast of unpredictable characters.
quietdomino's review against another edition
5.0
Coming of age for everybody who needs to know/remember what that feels like.
rpanny's review against another edition
4.0
After seeing Asali Solomon do a reading at Villanova for this book, I've been dying to pick it up. From what I understood, Disgruntled was a coming-of-age in Philly story, that takes place in the '80s. Kenya, the protagonist, is forced to move to the Main Line (bougie Philly suburbs) after her parents separate and she must adjust to being in the wealthy, predominantly white neighborhood and new private school.
But there is a lot more to Solomon's novel, and the teenage section are only about a third of the book. We see Kenya grow up, come to terms with her parents separation and deal with her mother's suspicious new husband and eventually her father's commune-style polygamy. I found the writing really compelling, the characters complex and the pace of the novel really fast. My only complaint is that each new section felt like it was cutting off the previous one before that story was finished. I wanted more of Kenya's day-to-day life, more about the friend from NY who betrays her (we never see the emotional fallout from that). While everything in the novel worked, some scenes felt a little rushed. Overall, I really enjoyed Disgruntled - it's interested in growing up black, in activism and in community. It's a quick read and one I would recommend, and I'm excited to see what Solomon comes out with next.
But there is a lot more to Solomon's novel, and the teenage section are only about a third of the book. We see Kenya grow up, come to terms with her parents separation and deal with her mother's suspicious new husband and eventually her father's commune-style polygamy. I found the writing really compelling, the characters complex and the pace of the novel really fast. My only complaint is that each new section felt like it was cutting off the previous one before that story was finished. I wanted more of Kenya's day-to-day life, more about the friend from NY who betrays her (we never see the emotional fallout from that). While everything in the novel worked, some scenes felt a little rushed. Overall, I really enjoyed Disgruntled - it's interested in growing up black, in activism and in community. It's a quick read and one I would recommend, and I'm excited to see what Solomon comes out with next.
alixgb's review against another edition
4.0
This was a book I felt immersed in within the first page. The narrator has a clear voice and moves easily between childhood and more adult themes and thoughts. I liked how being a child of an activist was explored. Kenya was often the mirror to seeing her parents intimate parts; not so much their true selves as just their actions in contrast to their goals/wants. The level of detail in the everyday nicely balanced Kenya's internal world. Highly recommended.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
A classic bildungsroman set in the 1980s in/outside of Philadelphia following young Kenya as she comes to understand her family structure, as well as better appreciate her father and his passions (even if she doesn't come to agree with them or with him).
This is a quicker read, and I would have loved even more. The third person POV was interesting and a bit removed, but it definitely made this story feel like an adult novel, rather than a YA. It's not bad at all, and certainly teen readers who love literary fiction will dig this, but I wondered how different the story would have been had we been even closer to Kenya through her own perspective.
The 80s setting here is purposeful and not at all obnoxious. This isn't about the pop culture or an opportunity to make a teen cool by loving certain bands, but rather, it's about this particular moment in time.
This is a quicker read, and I would have loved even more. The third person POV was interesting and a bit removed, but it definitely made this story feel like an adult novel, rather than a YA. It's not bad at all, and certainly teen readers who love literary fiction will dig this, but I wondered how different the story would have been had we been even closer to Kenya through her own perspective.
The 80s setting here is purposeful and not at all obnoxious. This isn't about the pop culture or an opportunity to make a teen cool by loving certain bands, but rather, it's about this particular moment in time.
christie_at_the_library's review against another edition
3.0
I heard about this book via a Fresh Air interview with the Author Asali Solomon. I was instantly interested in Solomon's story telling abilities. I loved her humor, wit and was excited to read a story that highlighted issues of racial privilege, identity and growing in to adult hood. When I actually read the book, I found my self torn. The book had so many really great moments, but i felt they didn't always come together as I would have liked. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I feel i gained something in reading it.
marnold's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Minor: Alcoholism