Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid proved to be a very good read. I liked the characters and wanted to know what would happen. It's very current considering life and headlines these days,
Alix Chamberlain is a confident businesswoman and married mother of a toddler. She depends on her babysitter, Emira, and when a family crisis occurred one night, she calls Emira to come get Briar out of the house. Emira takes Briar to the local grocery store and is confronted by a woman who questions why Emira (black) has Briar (white). Cover blurb - A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Peter Chamberlain shows up, vouches for his babysitter, and Alix resolves to make things right.
Here's where the book really gets interesting. It delves into Emira's life (she's mid-twenties, college grad) and her goals and how she doesn't plan to sue, doesn't plan to change jobs. She loves Briar, loves caring for this little girl, and wants her life back to "normal". Alix is now very self aware and tries to befriend Emira - be "cool."
And there's social media. What happens and why and how does the video get uploaded and goes viral?
The author does an excellent job of exploring the stickiness of transactional relationships, what it means to make someone "family", and the complicated reality of being a grownup. (cover blurb).
Such a Fun Age made me think a bit. (Always a good thing).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Her situation doesn't sound like a lot of fun. Terrible when people do things like that.
ReplyDeleteit's written well and very true to life I'm sure for some folks
DeleteSounds like one that resonates today indeed.
ReplyDeleteit is handled with aplomb
DeleteAnother socially relevant (and always relevant) gem there, Joanne. You're so good and finding and reviewing these. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteStay healthy, safe, warm and well stocked with all the things you need to thrive.
I'd read reviews that caught my eye on this one. It was excellent. And Ray and I are in good shape so far. Thanks. You take care too
DeleteAn awful situation to be in or what? Going viral can be devastating sometimes. Topical indeed.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and well, Joanne.
Lots of issues handled well in this book
DeleteLife is never simple. Things don't change, haven't throughout history.
ReplyDeletenope, but explored well here in this book with characters on all sides living what they know
Delete