jnelsontwo's review
reflective
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
4.0
geminix1312's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.25
korilondon's review against another edition
3.0
This book won’t be for everyone.
Its the experiences and lessons of black girl hood, womanhood and what it all means as we age framed on the streets of DC.
These stories really shined in presenting narratives that asked an underlying question while leaving the answer up to the reader .
I do think it seemed a bit one sided as we transitioned to womanhood. All the women seemed unhappy and unsatisfied with their life which made the book drag at some points for me . It’s like is this all we can do? Begin the pursuit of something and be left to settle and wonder ?
I would of liked to have seen a story about a black woman being satisfied with her life . I think this would of helped the pacing and overall sentiment . Because at times the tone was very dreary and read like the title should been, “a series of unfortunate events for black women”.
But I do think the author captured beautifully the complexity of black womanhood from person to person .although this is something you must do the work as a reader to capture . She doesn’t spell it all out.
Its the experiences and lessons of black girl hood, womanhood and what it all means as we age framed on the streets of DC.
These stories really shined in presenting narratives that asked an underlying question while leaving the answer up to the reader .
I do think it seemed a bit one sided as we transitioned to womanhood. All the women seemed unhappy and unsatisfied with their life which made the book drag at some points for me . It’s like is this all we can do? Begin the pursuit of something and be left to settle and wonder ?
I would of liked to have seen a story about a black woman being satisfied with her life . I think this would of helped the pacing and overall sentiment . Because at times the tone was very dreary and read like the title should been, “a series of unfortunate events for black women”.
But I do think the author captured beautifully the complexity of black womanhood from person to person .although this is something you must do the work as a reader to capture . She doesn’t spell it all out.
audreysova's review against another edition
3.0
Books of stories for me are tough. There are some that I love, in which I'm totally swept up in and love the characters, and others that I simply can't relate to. There were more that I liked here than those that I didn't, but still not enough for a higher ranking.
dai2daireader's review against another edition
4.0
I have been into short stories collections these last few months and am loving them! I saw the cover of this book and just knew I had to read this one. These stories center around the lives of Black females at different stages of life living in DC. This debut collection explores how Black women are not a monolith. We are often arbitrarily put into categories by others but these stories show that we are much more than that, much more than what people see on the outside.
I had a lot of favorite stories but the story of the young girl writing an essay for her college application really resonated with me. This story discusses the idea of what it means to be “chosen” and to be your “own kind of black girl,” not adhering to the stereotypes of how you should look, talk or behave.
The big take away is that there are various outside influences and pressures but it’s so important to be your own person and realize that being a Black female doesn’t look just one way.
I had a lot of favorite stories but the story of the young girl writing an essay for her college application really resonated with me. This story discusses the idea of what it means to be “chosen” and to be your “own kind of black girl,” not adhering to the stereotypes of how you should look, talk or behave.
The big take away is that there are various outside influences and pressures but it’s so important to be your own person and realize that being a Black female doesn’t look just one way.
rebadee's review against another edition
5.0
While the stories in this collection center on the lives of black girls and women living in Washington, DC, Acker skillfully portrays the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, foes, and romantic partners that orbit them. Acker's gift for creating setting is strong-- DC neighborhoods, politics, and neighborhood politics will resonate with anyone who has spent time in the District. Each story stands alone, but taken together, they leave the reader with much to contemplate. Acker does not allow for easy answers or alliances, each story is filled with complexity and spontaneity.
norbert04's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
scoodle42's review against another edition
3.0
This was an engaging read. The stories pushed all the right buttons in terms of interest; I cared about the characters, and wanted to know what would happen with them. They all read like different versions of the same person, rather than different people entirely, but maybe because they shared the same pain. The deep discomfort of being both desperate to know who you are, but also desperately wanting to be something other than that is a prevalent theme that each character expresses fully, a few of them in the same way.
Also, having lived in the DMV for twelve years, I understood all the location references which I think made it an even easier read. Lol.
Also, having lived in the DMV for twelve years, I understood all the location references which I think made it an even easier read. Lol.
id_rather_be_reading_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this collection of short stories. Set in washington DC each story features a female protagonist; some very young and just learning the facts of life, others older and weary of the ways of the world. There were several standouts but all in all it's a fabulous book that touches on Black girlhood and womanhood, societal expectations and how much of a challenge it is to just be comfortable in the skin you're in when all the world suggests you should be anything but.
arybeaud's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0