Alex was alone, and the one thing she still had was the freedom to follow the narrative that suited her best.
– Such a Fun Age
Summary and Thoughts
In the midst of a family crisis one late evening, white blogger Alix Chamberlain calls her African American babysitter, Emira, asking her to take toddler Briar to the local market for distraction. There, the security guard accuses Emira of kidnapping Briar, and Alix’s efforts to right the situation turn out to be good intentions selfishly mismanaged.
A tight, witty novel on race and class, reminiscent of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere, Such a Fun Age follows three main characters – the wealthy and anxious Alix, the low-stress Emira (the best character!), and the man who films the book’s inciting incident, Kelley Copeland, as they learn the various facets of each other’s true lives. I devoured this book in two days, eager to unravel all the ways these people’s lives are entangled. This novel is fast-paced, full of realistic, engaging dialogue making for a quick, enjoyable read. The main plot takes center stage, with the background characters remaining in the distance, allowing for the story to be singular-minded (which is not to say it lacks complexity, for the themes and messages the book provides are definitely worth a lengthy book club meeting). If you’re looking for a light-hearted, sharp novel on micro-aggressions, white savior hood, and even motherhood, definitely pick this book up.
Notable Reviews
For Those Who Enjoyed
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
- Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Star Rating
4/5
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