From the Bookshelf of Book Club for Introverts…

“It’s very late for someone this small,” he said. “Is this your child?”

“No.” Emira laughed. “I’m her babysitter.”

“Alright, well . . .” he said, “with all due respect, you don’t look like you’ve been babysitting tonight.”
 

When a supermarket customer and security guard see a young black woman out late with a white child, they assume the worst. By the time the child’s father shows up to verify that

“It’s very late for someone this small,” he said. “Is this your child?”

“No.” Emira laughed. “I’m her babysitter.”

“Alright, well . . .” he said, “with all due respect, you don’t look like you’ve been babysitting tonight.”
 

When a supermarket customer and security guard see a young black woman out late with a white child, they assume the worst. By the time the child’s father shows up to verify that she his indeed his babysitter, the damage has been done. Alix Chamberlin is a woman who knows how to get what she wants – and she is building an empire teaching other women to do the same. After her babysitter, Emira Tucker, deals with the humiliating racist confrontation at the store, Alix resolves to make it up to her.

But that day at the store introduces a surprising new development that will thrust Alix’s own past humiliating past up to the present, to complicate her relationship with Emira.

Its most important to note that while fiction, this story is completely own voices, as author Kiley Reid writes from experience and social observation. Having babysat for a family long-term, and witnessed the Black Lives Matter movement in person, Reid perfectly depicts a realistic story with (my absolute favourite thing in contemporary novels) flawed characters who really make us question intentions and consider the white savior complex.

I had to heavily edit this review, because I went on such a deep dive that I was giving up too much that could be consider spoiler – like, so please reach out if you want to discuss this because I have so much to say!

Alix Chamberlin was an interesting character. I think Reid did a good job of displaying how Alix truly wrote her own destiny, controlled her own narrative. A motivated, female empowerment blogger, she knows exactly how to put the right foot forward and she’s been building a successful empire ever since. To many, including herself, she is quite the role model and a great source of #girlpower in learning how to raise your voice and ask for things yourself.

However, she takes this too far in regards to Emira.

Emira is 25, and very much feeling lost. Her income is made up of her part time babysitting for Alix, and a temp copywrite job every other day. Emira compares herself to what she think she should be doing or achieving at this age, and as her friends start achieving their career and relationship goals, Emira can’t help but feel discouraged, though she doesn’t do much to change her circumstances. She adores 2 year old Briar Chamberlin, and as sweet as I found this relationship I think Emira uses this too much as an excuse to not do more for herself.

Its this dynamic and the incident at the store that inspire Alix to “help” Emira – though too much of her help is coming from embarrassment and ‘making up’ for the situation, rather than helping Emira help herself. This is where the white savior complex theme comes out in full force.

I really didn’t anticipate where the ending was going, and I was so impressed with how everything came together in such a strong and empowering ending. Reid really shone a light on the intentions and actions of her characters, and let them shine in their imperfect glory.

I highly recommend this read- I am sure it is set to be a popular book club choice as it is just such an easy read, the prose is just perfect for contemporary fiction lovers looking to be entertained, but packs in trending topics from the voices we need to hear from. Reid has done a magnificent job of gifting this story and raising important issues to the masses – and this has already been picked up for a tv (or movie? I’m not positive) adaptation.

Mark your calendars- this one comes out Dec 31st!
 

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on  Such as Fun Age, but now I would love to hear what you think about this book! 

Feel free to comment below or on my 'bookstagram' at @ReadWithWine .
 This review was originally posted on ReadWithWine