Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 06/01/2023
Published by: Bolinda audio
ISBN: 9780655681830
Cover:
I love the simplicity of this design and the pretty baby pink colour. The detailed braided hair illustration (complete with baby hair!) stands out, making it clear that the story is about a black woman.
I could be any type of black girl that I wanted to be
Writing:
The casual writing style infused with satire was a pleasant surprise that had me laughing numerous times despite the challenging storyline. Queenie’s first-person narrative also drew me in, and several flashbacks were skillfully used to strengthen the story. I especially loved the text messaging, emails and lists, which made the writing more engaging and creative.
Storyline:
The unusual opening scene certainly got my interest and set the stage for the story that unfolds. Sadly, as Queenie’s life gradually unravelled, I only felt uneasy and frustrated rather than entertained. Also, while various compelling themes, including miscarriage, race, and mental health, are embedded in the story, I wanted most of these to be explored deeper. For instance, pretty much every white guy Queenie interacted with turned out to be awful to make a point about the objectification of black women, but this seemed excessive.
Being brave isn’t the same as being okay.
Main character:
Despite her amusing narrative, it took me a long time to warm up to Queenie’s character as she is initially just love-sick and eager for attention. We gradually see that she is a bright and complex character despite her low self-esteem and tendency to catastrophise. Still, Queenie’s questionable decisions made it hard to connect with her character, even while I sympathised with her and felt emotionally invested in her well-being.
Secondary characters:
Although most secondary characters are given little attention, Queenie’s diverse friends are given some depth. I particularly loved Kyazike as she is full of sass, tells funny stories and devotedly supports Queenie.
Narration & Audio:
The narration by Shvorne Marks is done well as she aptly switches between Jamaican and British accents for the different characters. Sound effects for texts and emails also made the listening experience engaging and fun. However, I did find the transitions between past and current events slightly unclear and confusing. Plus, the pitch and voice used for some characters were a little annoying.
‘Queenie’ ultimately explores the downward spiral of a black woman and the beginning of her recovery journey. However, despite the lovely writing style and various themes adding depth to the story, I struggled to connect with Queenie and the storyline. Those who liked this book might enjoy Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo.
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