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ambershelf 's review for:
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
by Onyi Nwabineli
3.75/5
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
--
notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
--
notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.