Take a photo of a barcode or cover
SLIGHT SPOILERS THOUGH I’VE TRIED TO BE REALLY VAGUE.
So unfortunately this book didn’t hit all the expectations I had of it. And it really wasn’t because it was “hyped” too much but because I actually had a few issues with the story.
I did actually enjoy reading this book. I finished it in five days and felt it was very easy to read lots of pages in one go.
The self-destruct behaviour of Queenie I felt was super relatable and real - I myself and people I know have gone through situations like these in real life and I think it was really good to see it portrayed in script because again it’s real.
There were times when I felt so genuinely sorry for Queenie because I knew exactly how she was feeling and my heart hurt for her. I also really liked that this book addressed the stigma of counselling and mental health, especially amongst black people, and I think that it’s a really positive example for mental health and getting help.
However. I felt there was too much going on in this story. There are three main plot points - racism, self-destruction, and a back story with Queenie’s mum and an abusive ex of hers. The trouble was no one of these three stories were fully explored. I felt as if I was reading three separate books, all half finished.
Racism was touched upon, but honestly I thought this book was going to be more educational on the matter, considering the highlighting of the book that was done during the black lives matter movement. The book highlighted the everyday racism that people like Queenie suffer through but I personally felt like most of us - those that have some good brain cells anyway - know that it’s happening, but what isn’t happening is something being done about it. Whilst I think highlighting the issues is important, I felt this book could have done more with it and really made an impact on the movement more - had racism been the focus. Instead, for me personally, it felt sprinkled throughout for the sake of it.
The self destruct plot is explored the most, but again by the end I didn’t quite feel as it Queenie had had her full character arc and was left slightly unfinished. If this were a movie, you could guarantee there would be a second movie for example, that’s the feeling it gave off.
The back story with the mum and the mothers abusive ex was least explored and I really don’t think the subject was given what it deserved. This was the root of a lot of Queenie’s problems, yet I think there is maybe 500 words max on it in the whole book. It just wasn’t explored enough and felt very much conveniently wrapped up despite it not being finished.
All in all, yes I enjoyed the book, however it just felt really unfinished for me and I feel Queenie is always going to be floating around in the fictional world, her story not done.
TW: mental health, domestic abuse, abandonment, sex, rough sex, miscarriage, discussion of suicide attempts
So unfortunately this book didn’t hit all the expectations I had of it. And it really wasn’t because it was “hyped” too much but because I actually had a few issues with the story.
I did actually enjoy reading this book. I finished it in five days and felt it was very easy to read lots of pages in one go.
The self-destruct behaviour of Queenie I felt was super relatable and real - I myself and people I know have gone through situations like these in real life and I think it was really good to see it portrayed in script because again it’s real.
There were times when I felt so genuinely sorry for Queenie because I knew exactly how she was feeling and my heart hurt for her. I also really liked that this book addressed the stigma of counselling and mental health, especially amongst black people, and I think that it’s a really positive example for mental health and getting help.
However. I felt there was too much going on in this story. There are three main plot points - racism, self-destruction, and a back story with Queenie’s mum and an abusive ex of hers. The trouble was no one of these three stories were fully explored. I felt as if I was reading three separate books, all half finished.
Racism was touched upon, but honestly I thought this book was going to be more educational on the matter, considering the highlighting of the book that was done during the black lives matter movement. The book highlighted the everyday racism that people like Queenie suffer through but I personally felt like most of us - those that have some good brain cells anyway - know that it’s happening, but what isn’t happening is something being done about it. Whilst I think highlighting the issues is important, I felt this book could have done more with it and really made an impact on the movement more - had racism been the focus. Instead, for me personally, it felt sprinkled throughout for the sake of it.
The self destruct plot is explored the most, but again by the end I didn’t quite feel as it Queenie had had her full character arc and was left slightly unfinished. If this were a movie, you could guarantee there would be a second movie for example, that’s the feeling it gave off.
The back story with the mum and the mothers abusive ex was least explored and I really don’t think the subject was given what it deserved. This was the root of a lot of Queenie’s problems, yet I think there is maybe 500 words max on it in the whole book. It just wasn’t explored enough and felt very much conveniently wrapped up despite it not being finished.
All in all, yes I enjoyed the book, however it just felt really unfinished for me and I feel Queenie is always going to be floating around in the fictional world, her story not done.
TW: mental health, domestic abuse, abandonment, sex, rough sex, miscarriage, discussion of suicide attempts