A review by dominic_t
Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.0
This is an incredibly pointed look at white liberal racism and the emptiness of feminist brands. The characters are very vivid and well-developed; they both had really distinct voices in the story.
It's not a comfortable read. The POV characters are Alix and Emira. Alix is a wealthy white woman who has a feminist brand that reminds me of Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In." Emira is the Black woman who babysits for her and is trying to figure out her next step in life. Alix spends a lot of the book determined to become friends with Emira, and she ends up basically stalking her. It was so uncomfortable reading chapters from her perspective while she orchestrated and manipulated situations with Emira to foster a closeness that Emira didn't want. Kiley Reid did a great job of capturing Alix's neurotic performative mindset, and she manages to humanize her. Alix does some horrible shit throughout the book, but she is presented as a human making flawed choices rather than a monster. She also does a fantastic job showing the progression of Alix's behavior; we see her boundary-stomping, manipulative behavior grow over time, and it provides a foundation for her final horrible act.
I really loved Emira. The author does a great job of capturing the in-between phase she's stuck in. She's not sure what she wants to do next, and she feels trapped by the reality of her financial situation. Her relationship with Briar, the kid she babysits, is also beautifully portrayed. The author really captures the challenge of leaving a caregiving position when you love the person you care for. She experiences the most growth in the book, and I absolutely loved seeing it.
The writing is beautiful, and the social commentary is really incisive. It's not a comfortable read, but it is one that will stay with me.
It's not a comfortable read. The POV characters are Alix and Emira. Alix is a wealthy white woman who has a feminist brand that reminds me of Sheryl Sandberg's "Lean In." Emira is the Black woman who babysits for her and is trying to figure out her next step in life. Alix spends a lot of the book determined to become friends with Emira, and she ends up basically stalking her. It was so uncomfortable reading chapters from her perspective while she orchestrated and manipulated situations with Emira to foster a closeness that Emira didn't want. Kiley Reid did a great job of capturing Alix's neurotic performative mindset, and she manages to humanize her. Alix does some horrible shit throughout the book, but she is presented as a human making flawed choices rather than a monster. She also does a fantastic job showing the progression of Alix's behavior; we see her boundary-stomping, manipulative behavior grow over time, and it provides a foundation for her final horrible act.
I really loved Emira. The author does a great job of capturing the in-between phase she's stuck in. She's not sure what she wants to do next, and she feels trapped by the reality of her financial situation. Her relationship with Briar, the kid she babysits, is also beautifully portrayed. The author really captures the challenge of leaving a caregiving position when you love the person you care for. She experiences the most growth in the book, and I absolutely loved seeing it.
The writing is beautiful, and the social commentary is really incisive. It's not a comfortable read, but it is one that will stay with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, and Racial slurs
Racial fetishism, police interactions