Book Review: Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

Shelly's Book Corner received a review copy from NetGalley and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, straddling two cultures and slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper, where she’s constantly forced to compare herself to her white middle class peers. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie seeks comfort in all the wrong places…including several hazardous men who do a good job of occupying brain space and a bad job of affirming self-worth.

As Queenie careens from one questionable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, “What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be?”—all of the questions today’s woman must face in a world trying to answer them for her.

Review

In this book we are introduced to a 25 year old, Queenie Jenkins who is the middle of a crisis. Her long term boyfriend wants a break and from there things go downhill. I really liked Queenie’s character but at times I wanted to shake some sense into her but then I had to remember she’s 25 and bound to make mistakes. Often times I wanted to hug Queenie because as a black woman I have been in her shoes with several scenarios and felt the same exact way. I’ve been told many times “I don’t act black” and that’s my personal favorite.

“Strong black women don’t cry.”

This sentence right here spoke to my soul. There is such a stigma with mental health in the black community. Praying alone is not enough. Giving your problems to God is not enough. You’re not the only one with issues so ‘just get over it’ isn’t enough either. It’s very important to take care of your mental health. It’s 2019 and we need to stop shaming folks for seeking help. Enough already.

This book was filled with vibrant characters and touched on many important social issues that needed addressing. From the moment I started this book I couldn’t stop. This book also made me reflect on my own experiences as well. I love when a book can make me think. Williams is a new to me author and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.