Such A Fun Age

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Reviewed by Omma
📕📗📘📙📒

For someone who read 6 books throughout the WHOLE of 2020, this sneaked in at the end and I finished it in 3 days to make my total books read a 7! I can’t believe how much this book sucked me in and had me reading it allll day to finish it!

Story: Emira, a part time babysitter is out partying late with her friends when she gets a call from her very white ‘feminist’ boss Alix Chamberlain asking if she can babysit 2yo Briar that same minute. It’s an emergency. Broke ass Emira could do with the money especially since it’s double time including cab fair, and so she agrees.

Taking Briar to a nearby upscale supermarket to kill time, Emira is accused of kidnapping by the security guard and a fellow shopper.

Enter a white dude named Kelley (his name really added to how irritating I found him) who records the whole encounter.

This story tackles the topic of racism in such a subtle way. It was so interesting to read about it in the context of the white saviour complex as Alix seems hell bent on helping Emira even though Emira has given her no indication she wants her help.

Then there’s Kelley who clear as day (except to him) fetishes black culture and black women as he begins to date Emira.

This is the first time I’ve really enjoyed a book even though I didn’t like the main protagonist and I think that was kind of the point. Emira seems to have such a standoffish and moody persona but this really highlights her tender relationship with Briar who seems like the coolest toddler ever!

I also enjoyed her close female friendships and the ease with which colloquial language was used without feeling cringe. But what was cringe was when Tamra, Alix’s token black friend speaks to Emira at the thanksgiving dinner....(dun dun dunnnn)

Trust me, add this to your pile of must reads for next year, you won’t regret it!