"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams surprised me with each chapter.
I knew I was going to be a bit out of my comfort zone when choosing this one. I generally lean more toward historical fiction because I find it a bit more comforting, but Queenie is fully modern and not afraid to show it.
“Is this what growing into an adult woman is,” Queenie asks, “having to predict and accordingly arrange for the avoidance of sexual harassment?”
It was interesting to read through a book that references such current happenings. The current presidency and the struggles that have come along with it, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the topic of mental health.
These topics are SO needed. To create a character as real, bold, and unique as Queenie is a gift.
Throughout her life she has experienced some truly heavy and layered events. To allow readers to walk through a bit of life with a young, black woman is eye opening and shouldn’t be read lightly. Queenie experiences racism in ways that don’t feel nearly as obvious. Ways that many still feel aren’t truly racist sayings or actions.
(No, you cannot tell me that the world is becoming too sensitive. These are real things that make people of color uncomfortable in their everyday lives.)
We get to follow her in her journey to therapy and the progress she makes within it. Along with giving us prime examples of older generations disapproving of therapy through her grandmother - believing it is admitting something is broken within yourself and shouldn't be shared to the rest of the world.
The importance of solid and supportive friendships is demonstrated through the small amount of friends that support her in decisions of asking for help through the form of therapy and being patient with her as she works through it all. Fully supporting the silence that is given toward them as she processes her emotions and why they are the way they are.
We also see how truly detrimental abusive romantic relationships can be. Though we don't see Queenie ending the story in a relationship, we see many different kinds of relationships that can be detrimental to one's physical and emotional health. And along with that, a vibe that she is fully comfortable with going to a clinic to get STD testing done after each partner she experiences - something so small to the story but sends a great message out to the world.
I knew this book was going to tug at my heart. I knew it going to challenge me a bit due to its more modern topics and situations. But I am thankful for the experience to look through Queenie’s eyes and walk through a portion of her life with her.
Thank you, Candie Carty-Williams for your willingness to share Queenie with us.
Would I suggest this book to you?
There are moments that are quite graphic in language and image. If you are looking for a book to make you all warm and fuzzy through each chapter, I would advise you to look for another read. However, if you are looking for something to challenge your ways of thinking in how you perceive racism or mental health… Go for it.
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