Stunning debut tackling modern issues with humour and grace.
Queenie was my choice for the Popsugar Reading Challenge 2020 prompt 'a book with a pink cover', and caught my attention mostly because of how vibrant it looked. I was not disappointed!
The vibrancy of the cover continued into its pages from the very start. Queenie is a young black woman living in modern London and her story is one of heartbreak, friendship and questionable choices. I began the book howling with laughter at the characters, all of whom were shaped beautifully. I ended the book welling up at the journey Queenie had been on, wondering what would happen to her in the future and having developed a genuine fondness for almost everyone I had met along the way.
The author describes many negative interactions I've had with men perfectly and accurately, focusing on feelings I didn't know were wrong until after the fact. Queenie taught me all the lessons she herself was hopefully learning along the way. Any woman who has been single in her twenties will relate to at least part of this story. I truly wish I had read this ten years ago! I found myself not only screaming at the characters, but also at my younger self; "LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DOING TO YOU!"
Most of the story was somewhat predictable, but in this instance that was for the best, because it highlighted how true and common these feelings and experiences are for 21st century women.
I am very excited to see how Candice Carty-Williams follows up Queenie, and will relish the chance to read her future work.
The vibrancy of the cover continued into its pages from the very start. Queenie is a young black woman living in modern London and her story is one of heartbreak, friendship and questionable choices. I began the book howling with laughter at the characters, all of whom were shaped beautifully. I ended the book welling up at the journey Queenie had been on, wondering what would happen to her in the future and having developed a genuine fondness for almost everyone I had met along the way.
The author describes many negative interactions I've had with men perfectly and accurately, focusing on feelings I didn't know were wrong until after the fact. Queenie taught me all the lessons she herself was hopefully learning along the way. Any woman who has been single in her twenties will relate to at least part of this story. I truly wish I had read this ten years ago! I found myself not only screaming at the characters, but also at my younger self; "LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DOING TO YOU!"
Most of the story was somewhat predictable, but in this instance that was for the best, because it highlighted how true and common these feelings and experiences are for 21st century women.
I am very excited to see how Candice Carty-Williams follows up Queenie, and will relish the chance to read her future work.