A review by ooohgoshtara
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

This was a reread for me. I loved it just as much this time around. Queenie is a totally relatable character to me. She is a young twenty something reeling from a break-up and miscarriage. She is suffering from unresolved childhood trauma. She is making horrible dating and life mistakes. Her life is spiraling and each decision she makes seems to make things worse. What I loved is that although bumbling through life Queenie sought help through therapy to the horror of her family. Through it all Queenie was hilarious. I loved her friend group even though she rarely listened to their solid advice. They were supportive. The use of text messages and their group chat was a nice touch. Queenine's experiences in a predominantly white workplace were relatable. I found Queenies family especially her grandparents endearing even when they were overbearing. Queenie is just a character that sticks with me and I cannot understand the hate she gets. I also love how we all experience novels differently. But Queenie hate how dare you?! Here for the messy black girls who do the work to untangle their messy lives and grow.