Name: Liyah 🤎's review of Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Item: Queenie
Rating: 3
Author: Liyah 🤎

Candice Carty-Williams

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 'A deliciously funny, characterful, topical and thrilling novel for our times' Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the Booker Prize 'Brilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking' Jojo Moyes 'A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get us through it all' Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City Queenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places. As Queenie veers from one regrettable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be? - the questions that every woman today must face in a world that keeps trying to provide the answers for them. A darkly comic and bitingly subversive take on life, love, race and family, Queenie will have you nodding in recognition, crying in solidarity and rooting for this unforgettable character every step of the way. A disarmingly honest, boldly political and truly inclusive tale that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and acceptance and found something very different in its place. ****** This book has been printed with two different colour designs, gold and pink. We are unable to accept requests for a specific cover. The different covers will be assigned to orders at random ****** LONGLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR FOYLES BOOK OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED FOR COMEDY WOMAN IN PRINT PRIZE 2020 BLACKWELL'S DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR NAMED ONE OF THE TIMES, GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY MAIL AND EVENING STANDARD'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019

Queenie

ONE OF TIME’S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF 2019 NAMED ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2019 BY WOMAN’S DAY, NEWSDAY, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, BUSTLE, AND BOOK RIOT! “[B]rilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking.” —Jojo Moyes, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place. Queenie Jenkins is a twenty-five-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. With “fresh and honest” (Jojo Moyes) prose, Queenie is a remarkably relatable exploration of what it means to be a modern woman searching for meaning in today’s world.

Ausrine Blazyte

"Well, Queenie, I think that you're taking on a burden that isn't yours. You can't carry the pain of a whole race.”

 "It’s not a burden I'm taking on, it's one that's just here." I could feel anger building in my chest. "I can't pick it up and drop it!" 

"Is that how you see it?" Janet asked as calmly as she could in an attempt to counter my distress. 

“That's how it is." I started to get louder. "I can't wake up and not be a black woman, Janet. I can't walk into a room and not be a black woman, Janet. On the bus, on the Tube, at work, in the cafeteria. Loud, brash, sassy, angry, mouthy, confrontational, bitchy." I listed off all of my usual descriptors on my fingers."There are ones people think are nice, though: well-spoken, surprisingly intelligent, exotic. My favorite is sexy, I think? I guess I should be grateful for any attention at all."

Food Is Love is my family's unofficial motto. Pity that the motto is also Have You Put on Weight?

Me personally. I can’t entertain such insult. Huhhhh?!

Temi Awani

‘You're so closed off that actual love is out of your reach. so you settle for sex. With anyone who’ll fuck you. Your self-esteem is a joke.' She placed the edge of the tape on the cardboard and extended it, sealing the box. ‘With a mum like yours, it's no surprise.

 l can't carry on with the only consistent thing in my life being your problems. 

Amanda S

Liyah 🤎

I have mixed feelings about this book. Very well written with great pacing and twists but I literally can’t stand Queenie. She’s quite a tragic MC and the situations she was in (esp race related)/ her mental health issues were a little triggering. Also Cassandra can go to hell. Not as light or funny as I expected and really a bit dark. I know the back of the book says relatable but god I do not want to relate to Queenie.

Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Americanah in this disarmingly honest, boldly political, and truly inclusive novel that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and found something very different in its place. 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. With “fresh and honest” (Jojo Moyes) prose, Queenie is a remarkably relatable exploration of what it means to be a modern woman searching for meaning in today’s world.

Love that it talks about mental health for the Black community and that there's no one way to be Black. 

Otherwise, this book doesn't pass the Bechtel test and it hypsersexualizes a Black woman who is in a state of mental crisis. Triggering. 

Jenell Pizarro

Love that it talks about mental health for the Black community and that there's no one way to be Black. 

Otherwise, this book doesn't pass the Bechtel test and it hypsersexualizes a Black woman who is in a state of mental crisis. Triggering. 

Despite my high rating, I was conflicted with this book. First off, the story itself is complex and bold, and definitely explores the micro-aggressions and flat out racism Black woman experience today. While Queenie made decisions that frustrated me to no end, I still found myself rooting for her. I could relate to the main character to an extent, such as when given the circumstances [that Queenie found herself in], I could see myself making the same mistakes.

I wish the author did a more in-depth analysis of Queenie’s background. The ending felt rushed with Queenie’s childhood trauma being basically dumped towards the end. The message of this story would have been more impactful had hints of Queenie’s past been revealed throughout the entire story. There could have been a stronger connection to Queenie and humanized her decisions more throughout her character development. Moreover, I wish Queenie became more cognizant to the fact that her ex was mainly the reason that there relationship was not successful, not Queenie’s past. Him never defending her against his family’s casual racism was a huge factor into why Queenie did not feel safe enough to be vulnerable with Tom.

There were times throughout the story, I felt as if some characters or situations leaned a little too far into stereotypes and felt as if the story could have gone in a different direction. One reader summed it up best: “the writing seemed to generalize the struggles of black women (due to the main character speaking for all black women and making blanket statements) VS presenting this as an individual case that’s symptomatic of a systemic issue”.

Lastly, I have seen this book described as a modern day “Bridget Jones” which is an extreme overreach and oversight on that party’s behalf. This story is not a comedic relief but can be triggering to readers due to the themes of childhood abuse, sexual abuse, racism, mental health awareness, and self-destructive behaviors.

Overall, I will applaud Candace Williams writing style. The use of text messages within the story added to the characters personalities and gave more context to the story rather than subtract from it.

Ultimately, this book is a representation of how much deeply-rooted trauma from our childhoods can seep into our current lives and decisions, thus altering the way we perceive love and relationships, especially with ourselves.

Turia L. M.

Despite my high rating, I was conflicted with this book. First off, the story itself is complex and bold, and definitely explores the micro-aggressions and flat out racism Black woman experience today. While Queenie made decisions that frustrated me to no end, I still found myself rooting for her. I could relate to the main character to an extent, such as when given the circumstances [that Queenie found herself in], I could see myself making the same mistakes.

I wish the author did a more in-depth analysis of Queenie’s background. The ending felt rushed with Queenie’s childhood trauma being basically dumped towards the end. The message of this story would have been more impactful had hints of Queenie’s past been revealed throughout the entire story. There could have been a stronger connection to Queenie and humanized her decisions more throughout her character development. Moreover, I wish Queenie became more cognizant to the fact that her ex was mainly the reason that there relationship was not successful, not Queenie’s past. Him never defending her against his family’s casual racism was a huge factor into why Queenie did not feel safe enough to be vulnerable with Tom.

There were times throughout the story, I felt as if some characters or situations leaned a little too far into stereotypes and felt as if the story could have gone in a different direction. One reader summed it up best: “the writing seemed to generalize the struggles of black women (due to the main character speaking for all black women and making blanket statements) VS presenting this as an individual case that’s symptomatic of a systemic issue”.

Lastly, I have seen this book described as a modern day “Bridget Jones” which is an extreme overreach and oversight on that party’s behalf. This story is not a comedic relief but can be triggering to readers due to the themes of childhood abuse, sexual abuse, racism, mental health awareness, and self-destructive behaviors.

Overall, I will applaud Candace Williams writing style. The use of text messages within the story added to the characters personalities and gave more context to the story rather than subtract from it.

Ultimately, this book is a representation of how much deeply-rooted trauma from our childhoods can seep into our current lives and decisions, thus altering the way we perceive love and relationships, especially with ourselves.

Queenie Jenkins, een 25-jarige Jamaicaans-Britse vrouw uit Londen, verliest de grip op haar leven. Ze krijgt een miskraam, haar vriend maakt het uit, ze verlaat hun gedeelde flat en als klap op de vuurpijl verliest ze haar baan bij de krant. Ze zoekt afleiding in datingapps en kortstondige affaires, maar het wil niet baten. En als ze in therapie wil gaan, krijgt ze te maken met vooroordelen van haar Jamaicaanse familie. De positie die Queenie inneemt in de maatschappij, haar onzekerheden en haar vrienden worden voor een belangrijk deel gevormd doordat ze zwart is; niettemin beschrijft ze haar verhaal met een luchtige pen en valt er heel veel te lachen. Queenie maakt je deelgenoot van de turbulenties en escapades die haar leven beheersen en overhoop gooien; je zult veel herkennen, solidair verdrietig met haar zijn en haar levensweg bewonderen. Queenie is een ontwapenend eerlijk, inclusief verhaal dat iedereen zal aanspreken die op zoek is naar liefde maar o zo vaak wordt geconfronteerd met iets heel anders. Candice Carty-Williams (1989) is journalist en scenarioschrijver en schrijft onder meer voor The Guardian, The Sunday Times en Vogue International. Ze woont in Zuid-Londen. Queenie is haar debuutroman.

momo-reads

Queenie's self destruction in the first half was so distressing that the second half couldnt make up for it.  I think the marketing blurb "Bridgette Jones meets Americanah" was a huge disservice as the reality of the story was nowhere near the expectation.

I feel like this is a really important read for any woman struggling with life and finding a path forward towards a life that they want. 

However, I really struggled to like Queenie at times. I found her so frustrating, repeatedly making the same bad decisions and choosing men who were really horrible. While I understand that was pretty much the plot of the book, it still felt rather repetitive, and I found myself rolling my eyes and zoning out a lot while listening to the audiobook.

The second half of the book flowed a lot better, in my opinion, and the ending was really uplifting, I had just lost the desire to cheer Queenie on by that point, unfortunately.

Victoria Justice

I feel like this is a really important read for any woman struggling with life and finding a path forward towards a life that they want. 

However, I really struggled to like Queenie at times. I found her so frustrating, repeatedly making the same bad decisions and choosing men who were really horrible. While I understand that was pretty much the plot of the book, it still felt rather repetitive, and I found myself rolling my eyes and zoning out a lot while listening to the audiobook.

The second half of the book flowed a lot better, in my opinion, and the ending was really uplifting, I had just lost the desire to cheer Queenie on by that point, unfortunately.

Alexa M

3.5 
this was good for the contemporary it was and i enjoyed reading it but i didn't get much out of it.

a well written book but i really didn’t like the main character, i wanted to shake her so many times. her decisions were so frustrating to me that i was reluctant to read the book most times. i barely liked most of the  characters, everyone just seemed to be making life hard for each other in some way.

Victoria Oge-Evans

I almost have no words. This book was so funny but also so heartbreaking and also healing. Like being in Queenie's mind while she was going through all the trials life has put her through was not easy but Candice really found a way to make it so lighthearted and also get the message across. JUST READ IT🥺

Murjanah Uwais

This book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions. The back of forth of me hating certain characters and then caring so much for them. I feel like I’ve gone through therapy reading this book and it made me see another side of life that I’m not familiar with. I really loved it!

4 stars - I changed my mind again lol, I went from 4,5 to 4, to 3,5 & back to 4 stars. Because, let me tell you something, let me tell you something! I read a short story she wrote and noticed a pattern. Her characters make reckless decisions. Other things I noticed are: the difference between the flashbacks & the flashforwards are vague. In her short story, she kind of did the same. The switch between perspective is unclear. In Queenie, the author doesn't announce whether its a flashforward or flackback, so if you don't pay attention, you won't know whether it's the former or the latter. Also, I realized that there is no trigger warning in the beginning of this book. At least, not in the edition that I have. The seggsual abjuse is distubring tbh and the sleeping with married men... I'm just glad the author didn't try to justify Queenie's behaviour. Anyway, this book is fast paced and the topics in this book creates conversation and gets people talking. Dr Umar Johnson would go off on Queenie tho lmao

EDIT: Older and wiser I guess. Changing this to 2.75 stars.

Joy KBA

4 stars - I changed my mind again lol, I went from 4,5 to 4, to 3,5 & back to 4 stars. Because, let me tell you something, let me tell you something! I read a short story she wrote and noticed a pattern. Her characters make reckless decisions. Other things I noticed are: the difference between the flashbacks & the flashforwards are vague. In her short story, she kind of did the same. The switch between perspective is unclear. In Queenie, the author doesn't announce whether its a flashforward or flackback, so if you don't pay attention, you won't know whether it's the former or the latter. Also, I realized that there is no trigger warning in the beginning of this book. At least, not in the edition that I have. The seggsual abjuse is distubring tbh and the sleeping with married men... I'm just glad the author didn't try to justify Queenie's behaviour. Anyway, this book is fast paced and the topics in this book creates conversation and gets people talking. Dr Umar Johnson would go off on Queenie tho lmao

EDIT: Older and wiser I guess. Changing this to 2.75 stars.

Sonja H

Virág 

In the beginning of this book we get to know Queenie as a really lovable, optimistic and witty character. In the early chapters we can see how she struggles with her boyfriend Tom and what red flags she missed during their relationship. 

“Being brave isn't the same as being okay,' my mum said quietly.”

As we go in the plotline the reader realizes that this book says the pure truth about a life of a girl who has to struggle with racism, mental health problems, low self-esteem and I can go on. Unfortunately I think it is not rare that we meet someone who struggles just like Queenie did. In lots of ways I could relate her, and I think this book could help lot of people to look for the help they need just like Queenie did. 

"The road to recovery is not linear. It’s not straight. It’s a bumpy path, with lots of twists and turns. But you’re on the right track."

In the end, we can see how her life got back on a better track, but it wasn't an easy road but it was worth it. I highly recommend it to anyone, who is ready to read about the ugly truth...

After hearing a lot of high praise for this book I decided that it was time to check it out for myself and I was not disappointed at all. It’s a book that is full of Humour, Honesty & at times hard to swallow. 

Queenie is a twenty-something who is living in London. She is Jamaican and it trying to fit in to both Jamaican and British culture. She was with her boyfriend, Tom, for a while and they are currently going through a "break" period where they both try to take some time apart. Queenie realises what she has lost but is also seeking worth from outside sources.

As we navigate this book, we see Queenie navigating life in general, with her Friends, Family, and work colleagues. She goes through situations based on her race and ethnicity. She is gets comments thrown at her, that are inappropriate. But through it all Queenie truly goes through a growth journey in this book. In the end, she ends up asking herself "Who do you want to me in today's world?"

Candice Carty-Williams has done an amazing job at bringing Queenie to life and with her writing style you can see the book play out in your head as a movie which for me always means that it’s going to be a great book. The book its if told through multiple timelines (Present & past) as well as using Text messages, Emails to help draw you in. 

Ian Brakspear

After hearing a lot of high praise for this book I decided that it was time to check it out for myself and I was not disappointed at all. It’s a book that is full of Humour, Honesty & at times hard to swallow. 

 

Queenie is a twenty-something who is living in London. She is Jamaican and it trying to fit in to both Jamaican and British culture. She was with her boyfriend, Tom, for a while and they are currently going through a "break" period where they both try to take some time apart. Queenie realises what she has lost but is also seeking worth from outside sources.

 

As we navigate this book, we see Queenie navigating life in general, with her Friends, Family, and work colleagues. She goes through situations based on her race and ethnicity. She is gets comments thrown at her, that are inappropriate. But through it all Queenie truly goes through a growth journey in this book. In the end, she ends up asking herself "Who do you want to me in today's world?"

 

Candice Carty-Williams has done an amazing job at bringing Queenie to life and with her writing style you can see the book play out in your head as a movie which for me always means that it’s going to be a great book. The book its if told through multiple timelines (Present & past) as well as using Text messages, Emails to help draw you in. 

Amanda K

I found this book to be so much better than it’s Bridget Jones comparison. Queenie is a complex and flawed character that’s a little frustrating at times but you never stop rooting for her.

elif sinem

just what i needed! queenie is a really lovable character and i loved the mental health discussions. i'm glad it wasn't all gloomy and that there were fun parts, but also that there was genuine mental health discussions that i wish hadn't come only real late in the book. but the real star of the book was kyazike, who i need a spinoff of like RIGHT NOW

Skye Sherman

I’m just kinda like... why did I read this? Not my preferred genre, I guess, but still a book that went a lot of unexpected and interesting directions—like into race, mental health, self-sabotaging behaviors, therapy and healing, etc. Not a bad read, and I liked reading about the Jamaican British experience, but overall kind of a meh and shallow/silly read for me.

Nicki

Initially skeptical based on the reviews I had seen from people who have the same tastes as me, but this book did not disappoint. Queenie’s reality is that of many many women in my life and bits and pieces of me too. I was rooting for her because we Black women need the support. I enjoyed the latter half of the book better simply because I wasn’t suffering secondhand embarrassment. Mental issues in a Caribbean household is a lot to deal with. Trust and believe that I know that quite well.

Jill Niemeier 

Abi Venukumar

This book is written in such a real way and Queenie is a very relatable character. Through all her bad choices and break downs you can empathise with her whilst also being frustrated enough to keep reading. I couldn’t put the books down.

Yennifer Villa

Full star!
Hurtfully truthful, honest, no sugar coating the inner life of the protagonist. I needed this book.

Lauren 

Really liked the perspective this book gives it feels super different and Something everyone should make an attempt at understanding. However I could not get on board with the main character or one of her friends (Cassandra I’m looking at you) So I would recommend that you read it because the themes it touches on not the plot lol

Rose Stanley

Maybe I'm too much of a little old lady, but I just spent 9/10 of this book going NONONO WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ARGH THIS IS LIKE WATCHING A CAR CRASH AND/OR TRAINWRECK HAPPENING OVER AND OVER IN SLOW MOTION. I kept wanting to reach into the book and confiscate Queenie's phone.

Also there were a lot of times where it didn't feel like Queenie was talking/thinking like a human being so much as a series of tweets, which took me out of the story. Shame because there were a lot of good themes in this that the author could have done so much more with.

PS: I do not understand AT ALL why this is being compared to Bridget Jones.
PPS: Wait, is it because a character is called Darcy?
PPPS: Darcy and Kyazike are (a) great and (b) tragically underused.

Marion

Very easy read, perfect depiction of what it’s like being a millennial cis woman in 21st century 

Charlotte Rayfield

A fantastic book about a struggling 20 something that was beautiful and funny, but relatable ❤️

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Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

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