Book Review: Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

The Blurbs:

When Emira is apprehended at a supermarket for ‘kidnapping’ the white child she’s actually babysitting, it sets off an explosive chain of events. Her employer Alix, a feminist blogger with a ‘personal brand’ and the best of intentions, resolves to make things right.

But Emira herself is aimless, broke and wary of Alix’s desire to help. When she meets someone from Alix’s past, the two women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know – about themselves, each other, and the messy dynamics of privilege.

My Rating: ★★★★

My Review:

First let me say that the audiobook for this novel was fantastically narrated; making it a really enjoyable and entertaining listen.

Such A Fun Age is, on the surface, an easy and fun read. But the juxtaposed positions of Emira – a young African-American woman trying to find her way – and her boss, Alix – privileged, mother of the ‘sweet as pie’ Briar and blogger and influencer – add an extra layer.

Although not explored as fully as I had hoped, the themes of race, prejudice, privilege, power and inequality are certainly there; particularly in the opening scene at the supermarket and immediately after. The themes become a little lost during the latter parts of the novel which focuses more on the relationship/rivalry between the two women and their separate relationships with Kelley.

Oh Kelley! What a creep! He gave me chills….I just couldn’t deal with him at all.

Similarly placed on the ‘creep-o-meter’ was the stalkerish nature of Alix when it came to Emira. What started out as Alix trying to make amends to Emira for her poor treatment in the supermarket, ends up somewhere completely different and unexpected. Her desire to KNOW Emira; to manipulate and be admired by her was on a whole other, completely creepy level….adding a stack of interest to the story.

Not on the ‘creep-o-meter’ was the relationship between Emira and Briar….I loved how she really understood and loved that little girl, sacrificing her own needs and wants to give her the kind of affection her own mother was incapable of giving.

The Good Bits:

• Emira and Briar.
• Ease and speed of reading.
• Entertainment factor, especially the audio version.
• Contemporary

The Not-So-Good Bits:

• Lacked depth in the exploration of themes.
• Characters were also a bit lacking in the depth department.
• ‘iffy’ dialogue, particularly Briar…I mean, what 3 year old talks like that?
• Kelley just gave me the creeps….FULLSTOP!

In a sentence:

Read it for the entertainment factor but don’t expect depth.