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A review by betsw
In Every Mirror She's Black by Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is a story of the ways that society traps black women and grinds them down, and it conveys that experience powerfully. Although it mostly takes place in Sweden, there are American characters and it seems like many of the cultural issues examined are common between both countries. Very good and very well-written, you connect with and root for all three protagonists. I think it was important that the book ends the way it does, but it wasn't the ending I expected. I was expecting to see the characters go through difficulties and ultimately overcome them, but then this would have been a book about "the lucky ones" rather than an honest examination of more common experiences. Instead, we see how each of the three characters is worn down by the indifference and often often unintentional harm caused by others, in addition to small tastes of overt, hostile bigotry. Great book, just don't go into it expecting everyone to learn their lesson and the women to escape unscathed at the end.
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Sexism, and Classism