Name: Donut!'s review of Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Item: Such a Fun Age
Rating: 3
Author: Donut!

Kiley Reid

Such a Fun Age

'A new literary star' The Times The instant Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller Longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize When Emira is apprehended at a supermarket for 'kidnapping' the white child she's actually babysitting, it sets off an explosive chain of events. Her employer Alix, a feminist blogger with the best of intentions, resolves to make things right. But Emira herself is aimless, broke and wary of Alix's desire to help. When a surprising connection emerges between the two women, it sends them on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know – about themselves, each other, and the messy dynamics of privilege. __________________________ 'Essential. This year's hit debut' Guardian 'A biting tale of race and class' Sunday Times 'I couldn't put this down' Jojo Moyes 'Bites into the zeitgeist then spits it out with gusto. You really should read it, ASAP' Stylist 'About power dynamics, race, social commentary, and also why and how we are the woman we are' Pandora Sykes 'An extraordinarily deft debut, written with wisdom, kindness and sharp humour' Daily Mail 'A beautiful tale of how we live now' Elizabeth Day A Reese Witherspoon and Zoella Book Club Pick A Sunday Times, Guardian, Times, Daily Mail, i, Daily Telegraph, Grazia and Evening Standard Summer Read

Longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize

Iara Figueira

“Nooo! Not the Halloween party at Lulu’s!”

Emira laughed. “I brought my cat ears and everything. It just pissed me off that she didn’t want to talk to her kid and made her miss a party because of it.”

“Well, any mom who misses the chance to dress her kid up like a hot dog sounds like a psychopath to me.”

Zara had two sisters, one of whom struggled with anorexia, and the other with depression, two conditions that Emira’s mother believed black people didn’t “get.” 

Briar is so ADORABLE I can't stop smiling.

“You all done?” Alix asked Briar, who nodded with her mouth still full, and Alix set her on the floor.

“Mama?” Briar ambled over to Catherine. She swiped her sister’s blond hair across her forehead, and Catherine beamed. “How does feathers get wet?”

“Umm, in the rain?” Alix said. “Or when birds take a bath? Let’s be gentle with baby sis.”

“But how—because . . . the feathers is . . . how the feathers get wet and fly away?”

“Bri, look.” Alix picked up a pink ball from a bin of toys and tossed it down the hall. Briar gasped, overjoyed, and dutifully pumped her arms as she went running after it.

Amelia Stephens

“I just think it would be best if we went our separate ways and... that those paths never like... came back together"

Claire Durand

Donut!

it was an okay book. the story fell flat that it became a little bit unbearable to read especially with the characters that lacked depth. i wished emira’s character developed more at the end.

KILEY. REID

SUCH A FUN AGE.

This book was a “low stakes” nonviolent look into racism in America today. While I found it had me thinking and analyzing relationships, it was just not exciting. I think it lacked the drive to keep me interested and most of the characters were pretty insufferable. 

I quite liked the writing style, as someone else said it felt breezy. I read it pretty quickly too, and the story did propel me forward. I liked the relationships between Emira and her friends, and the plot was interesting.

But… There were a few things I didn’t enjoy that I’m struggling to sum up coherently. The main one is I found myself confused quite often: by all the different characters (three main, plus six supportive friends AND their children - it was a lot to keep track of and I gave up trying to follow in the end). 

The second thing I was confused by was how we were supposed to feel about Alix. Yes, she is annoying and gets quite pathetic in her obsession with Emira, especially towards the end. But before that I kinda felt like we were supposed to be on her side, even with her problematic behaviour and intentions, especially after we find out the truth about what happened in high school. I now think was perhaps intentional to lull you into a false sense of security, so that when her true nature is revealed it’s a big shock? It just didn’t quite come off for me, so the revelations at the end fell a bit flat.

I’ve just reread the blurb on the inside cover and I think it’s misleading, which is why the storyline didn’t fully land for me. It says Alix has the best of intentions, which clearly she does not.

One last thing: some of the chat between Alix and her friends. Her friend telling her she’s gorgeous but she needs to lose weight? Alix consoling herself with the fact that her husband had surprisingly big penis?! Really?! Stuff like that really broke the reality and just felt cringe (maybe that was the point but the cringe I felt was towards the author, not the characters).

Laura Hurst

I quite liked the writing style, as someone else said it felt breezy. I read it pretty quickly too, and the story did propel me forward. I liked the relationships between Emira and her friends, and the plot was interesting.

But… There were a few things I didn’t enjoy that I’m struggling to sum up coherently. The main one is I found myself confused quite often: by all the different characters (three main, plus six supportive friends AND their children - it was a lot to keep track of and I gave up trying to follow in the end). 

The second thing I was confused by was how we were supposed to feel about Alix. Yes, she is annoying and gets quite pathetic in her obsession with Emira, especially towards the end. But before that I kinda felt like we were supposed to be on her side, even with her problematic behaviour and intentions, especially after we find out the truth about what happened in high school. I now think was perhaps intentional to lull you into a false sense of security, so that when her true nature is revealed it’s a big shock? It just didn’t quite come off for me, so the revelations at the end fell a bit flat.

I’ve just reread the blurb on the inside cover and I think it’s misleading, which is why the storyline didn’t fully land for me. It says Alix has the best of intentions, which clearly she does not.

One last thing: some of the chat between Alix and her friends. Her friend telling her she’s gorgeous but she needs to lose weight? Alix consoling herself with the fact that her husband had surprisingly big penis?! Really?! Stuff like that really broke the reality and just felt cringe (maybe that was the point but the cringe I felt was towards the author, not the characters).

Overall an easy and enjoyable read.

Lola

Hated the way it was written, disappointed in the lack of depth to the characters, just felt as if doing the bare minimum throughout most of the story.

Would not recommend this read to a friend.

A Best Book of the Year: The Washington Post • Chicago Tribune • NPR • Vogue • Elle • Real Simple • InStyle • Good Housekeeping • Parade • Slate • Vox • Kirkus Reviews • Library Journal • BookPage Longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize An Instant New York Times Bestseller A Reese's Book Club Pick "The most provocative page-turner of the year." --Entertainment Weekly "I urge you to read Such a Fun Age." --NPR A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice, Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both. Alix Chamberlain is a woman who gets what she wants and has made a living, with her confidence-driven brand, showing other women how to do the same. So she is shocked when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is confronted while watching the Chamberlains' toddler one night, walking the aisles of their local high-end supermarket. The store's security guard, seeing a young black woman out late with a white child, accuses Emira of kidnapping two-year-old Briar. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and Emira is furious and humiliated. Alix resolves to make things right. But Emira herself is aimless, broke, and wary of Alix's desire to help. At twenty-five, she is about to lose her health insurance and has no idea what to do with her life. When the video of Emira unearths someone from Alix's past, both women find themselves on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know about themselves, and each other. With empathy and piercing social commentary, Such a Fun Age explores the stickiness of transactional relationships, what it means to make someone "family," and the complicated reality of being a grown up. It is a searing debut for our times.

Gelaine Trinidad

Ryan Mateyk

I didn’t expect this! I knew it was touted as witty satire but I didn’t think it would be such a romp. It was a lot of fun but also had many things to say, which it did with fantastic realistic dialogue that fully immersed me into the story.

Abbie Duggan

Really enjoyed this book and the discussion it prompts. While oftentimes the dialogue felt shallow, it seemed to me that was the exact intention of the author... to place a racial discussion inside an almost off-handed commentary on coming of age.

Kaitlin Simpson

Had high expectations for this book, but it all just fell flat to me.

armoni mayes

I ended up listening to Such a Fun Age as an audiobook and I would highly recommend it! Although I can imagine the print version is also just as good. I’m honestly really sad it took me so long to read this book as it came out many years ago but better late than never. (also cheers for this being set in philly!)

Alix Chamberlain, a #girlboss who advocates for female empowerment, is taken aback when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is wrongly accused of kidnapping while watching her toddler. Despite Alix's determination to rectify the situation, Emira, feeling adrift and financially strained, is skeptical and rightfully so of Alix's intentions. As events unfold, a revelation from Alix's past sets both women on a transformative journey that challenges their perceptions of themselves and each other.

The novel's dual perspectives offer a profound exploration of privilege, showcasing the stark contrast between Alix and Emira, particularly in how they navigate issues of race and class. Through Alix's lens, we're given insight into her world of privilege, yet as readers, we're also compelled to shake our heads at her well-intentioned but ultimately misguided attempts at helping Emira—a dynamic that's underscored by the inherent racial dynamics at play. Despite our inclination to empathize with Alix, the narrative continually challenges us to confront the underlying implications of her actions, revealing the complex interplay between race, privilege, and perception.

I cannot recommend this book enough and am looking forward to reading Reid’s other works!

Jordan

I found myself cringing frequently at the things the characters said and did (Zara during the TV interview???) and I felt like they could have made Emira more decisive about her future by the end at least. Very underwhelming 

Alicia Evans

Hannah Yoon

Can you love and dislike a book? This is how I feel about this one. I loved the story, but the development wasn’t where I would want it to be. I’ve been seeing some folks talk about being afraid to post negative reviews, but I think we can share our dislike for something so that we can have conversation about it.

I just finished this yesterday but I can’t stop thinking about it. I don’t read in the mornings, but I woke up reading, carried it with me and read it in between stoplights when my husband was driving. I loved in it that way. And, I can’t walk around Philly without thinking of this one.

We are introduced to Emira, a 25 year old Black woman who babysits for a wealthy white family in Philadelphia. Emira’s closest friends have “serious” jobs, while Emira is trying to figure out what she wants to do. Naturally, we’re going to get commentary on race and class as the story develops.

As much as I loved the book, there were a few things I struggled with. At times, it felt manipulative with how I should feel and see the world. Maybe it’s meant for a very specific audience, but I felt like it was predictable and forced. The dialogue was telling us everything and felt a bit set up.     I’m glad it tackles issues of the good intended white person, white saviors, performative living, black fetishization, and the subtle racism that’s inherently always there. We need that commentary and it can be helpful in the form of fiction, but I also want to be able to have the realization as a reader without it being built in the dialogue. I’m also not an own voices reader, so I may have be misreading some parts of the book. I am not invalidating anyone’s experience or perspectives, but I also like a bit of room for interpretation when it comes to the books I read.

ALSO!!! If anyone is on reddit, one of my fave subreddits is the “Am I the Asshole” one, and truthfully, I’d say ESH (everyone sucks here) when it comes to how messy and frustrating the characters were and the roles they played for all of this to unravel. I didn’t hate them, but phew, the lack of development was unfortunate.

gabby

i don’t like the writing but to each their own. i’m just a romance gal

Cody Degen

** spoiler alert **
           4.5 stars. Really really good. It's a pet peeve of mine when books do the thing where the characters are all interconnected in really unrealistic ways, so I struggle with that, but I guess it's also important to the story here. 

Also no way is Robbie Coleman getting a scholarship to GMU to play volleyball at 5'5" lol

Victoria 

Audiobook: Probably one of the best narrators I’ve listened to! Not sure I could’ve read this paper version but Nicole Lewis (narrator) kept me captivated from start to finish

alice browne

enjoyed this book but can’t help but feel like i haven’t properly got the hype! it was a very interesting look into some complex relationship dynamics and characters but the language just didn’t really do it for me and i’m not sure why. that being said, i did find myself whizzing through it and felt like a nice way to get myself out of a bit of a reading slump.

Kaede

Great premise but poor execution, such a bummer.

** spoiler alert **
           feel like this could’ve been so much better with what was laid out in the beginning😭 kelley was let off too easily imo especially with that last reveal?? the two stars are for emira saying back that line on live tv cause that was 10/10 but otherwise…

Shaz

it's a great book. the writing is gorgeous. but i'm in a reading slump while reading it which makes me didn't fully enjoyed the book. but i like it.

Hannah

incredible book really compelling characters really unique and interesting story, I love the dual perspective of it

Ivy Vatsala

I have chewed over what I think of the book for an entire day now. I enjoyed the writing, it was breezy and created a nice setting. But I didn't like how the story was resolved and I picked this up with a lot of expectation hence the lower rating.

------------------------------
* Spoilers ahead *
------------------------------

Two things that bothered me:

1. The last twist of Alix finding out the unopened letters. At that point, it doesnt even matter. It's a needless twist. I felt like it was put there to clearly establish that she was the one who was in the wrong. It was disappointing as a reader because up till that point, the book was building to shades of grey that both Kelley and Alix show with respect to racism.

2. Robbie and uniforms. I feel like the plot catalyst wasn't strong enough. While Robbie may have made a silly mistake as a teenager, so did Alix. The point of disproportionate consequences is directed at the system. But even the author chooses to villainize Alix here. Secondly, uniforms. I thought they were a plot device to show Kelley's convenient obfuscation of realities. But it was a true grievance felt by Emira as well?! And it wasn't hinted at at all previously.

Jule

I couldn't put it down. The story was super simple, but the performative activism and white allyship AND the micro aggression were discussed in ALL CAPS. 

So although the story in itself wasn't mind-blowing it still dealt with serious real life topics and portrayed them in a relatable manner for people who are actually affected I think.

Caroline

This book was alright. I paced through it solidly. The characters in it all generally sucked although to be fair I did read this stuck on a tarmac and on a couch in a Midwest airport after three hours sleep. A likely it's not you, it's me encounter.

Claire Durand &
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Claire Durand &Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Claire Durand &
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid