This is the second book I've read in a short period of time which kicks off with a bang and then the rest of the book is focused around the fallout from the major event at the start - and I have to say I'm a fan of this structure! In Such A Fun Age, Emira, a 25-year-old Black woman, takes the white child she babysits to the supermarket as her parents deal with an emergency. While there, she's accused of kidnapping the child and the whole thing is caught on video.
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From there, Kiley Reid goes on to examine a whole host of problematic behaviours from Emira's employer, Alix Chamberlain, a wealthy white social media influencer, and the guy who filmed the altercation at the supermarket, a white man named Kelley who strikes up a relationship with Emira.
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A lot of other reviewers have mentioned the quickfire pace and easy breezy writing style that Reid manages to maintain while tackling more serious issues, and I can fully see that! I did think there were a few too many 'uhms' and other slightly corny bits of dialogue, but for the most part, I enjoyed the writing and I flew through the book in 24 hours. I've also really come around to contemporary novels! I love the urgency the inclusion of technology gives - someone sends a text or an email and bam, everything changes in the blink of an eye.
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The depiction of harmful behaviours like white centering, tokenism and white saviorism was so well done. It's uncomfortable at times, and I'm sure other white readers will have been forced into some self-reflection as well. We all know how important impact versus intent is, and Alix and Kelley often act in ways that are purely self-serving, while deluding themselves that it's the best thing to do for Emira.
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Oh, and Emira and Briar? Adorable! I'm not usually a fan of children in books, but Briar was so funny and curious, and I loved her and Emira's bond! If you haven't picked this one up already then it's definitely one to check out!