A review by jaynereel
Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid
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
4.25
Sorry, spoilers ahead - (idk how to review this book properly without them)
Definitely enjoyed this!! Loveeeddd the narrator - her voice had so much character and style and I loved her impersonations of Briar. She was awesome. Also loved the writing style of this book.
I found myself giggling and really enjoyed the way Emira and Alix’s paths intersected - the surprise of Kelley being the guy from Alix’s high school and then coming to Thanksgiving cracked me up and I wasn’t expecting it.
Overall this was a great satire on the lengths some white people, especially white liberal women, will go to to feel and appear “woke” while having their own interests at the center of everything, and how these efforts can work to make Black people’s lives even harder. Alix was searching through the whole story to find a way to convince herself and Emira that she isn’t racist. In doing so, she became pretty blind and lacked the empathy needed to really see Emira as a whole person. I loved the way this irony was pulled into her and Kelley’s storylines.
I reeallllyy wished though that all that powerful satire regarding Alix and Emira was what was focused on in the final bits of the book… like, why was it reduced to Alix being a bad mom? I thought Emira’s final comment to her and the ending lines of the book were a bit weird and out of place considering the rest of the satirical irony that had just gone on. I wished they had focused more on that instead of parenting that wasn’t focused on as much during the rest of the book. Would’ve been 5 stars for me if I hadn’t been disappointed by the writing and focus of the ending. Overall would definitely recommend!
Definitely enjoyed this!! Loveeeddd the narrator - her voice had so much character and style and I loved her impersonations of Briar. She was awesome. Also loved the writing style of this book.
Spoiler
I found myself giggling and really enjoyed the way Emira and Alix’s paths intersected - the surprise of Kelley being the guy from Alix’s high school and then coming to Thanksgiving cracked me up and I wasn’t expecting it.
Overall this was a great satire on the lengths some white people, especially white liberal women, will go to to feel and appear “woke” while having their own interests at the center of everything, and how these efforts can work to make Black people’s lives even harder. Alix was searching through the whole story to find a way to convince herself and Emira that she isn’t racist. In doing so, she became pretty blind and lacked the empathy needed to really see Emira as a whole person. I loved the way this irony was pulled into her and Kelley’s storylines.
I reeallllyy wished though that all that powerful satire regarding Alix and Emira was what was focused on in the final bits of the book… like, why was it reduced to Alix being a bad mom? I thought Emira’s final comment to her and the ending lines of the book were a bit weird and out of place considering the rest of the satirical irony that had just gone on. I wished they had focused more on that instead of parenting that wasn’t focused on as much during the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Kidnapping