Loved it
Contemporary Literature/ satire
๐พ๐ค๐ก๐ค๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐๐ฃ๐ฏ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐
Published 2024 by Riverhead Books
Narrator: ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฃ๐
Soundtrack: Back to Life – Soul Il Soul, Caron Wheeler
A satirical look at success, identity, marriage, Los Angeles, and being a writer, Danzy Sennaโs sharp wit, society commentary, and ability to capture all that makes up life’s โmiddleโ portion of life make ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ท๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ a captivating, cerebral, and salient read.
Jane Gibson, college professor, mother of two, wife of Lenny, has spent the last ten years finishing her sophomore novel a โ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ญ๐ข๐ต๐ต๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฆ.โ There is only one problem: her editor hates it. In her quest to bring stability to her children, move into the multicultural neighborhood of dreams, and finally not constantly worry about money, Jane attempts to โsell outโ to Hollywood. Shenanigans ensue.
I found Jane and Lenny to be irritating characters in the best way. Their bad habits helped ground the plot, their marriage woes believable, and their conversations were full of perspicuity. I loved watching them make poor decisions and enjoyed the book more when they were surprised by the outcomes!
This is my first Danzy Senna novel, but her talent for discussing blackness, whiteness, and the complications of a mixed identity is unmatched by anything I have read. Her words make you think, pack a punch, and, I am sure, convey many inside jokes. Her writing is so good that even if you miss the payoff, you are enchanted by the journey.
I loved Sennaโs depiction of Los Angelesโmore grim, less glitz. You truly feel the LAness of the novel. From the normalization of driving all over the place to the stereotypes of each neighborhood, I laughed out loud, cringed, and wanted to capture more quotes. Even someone who has never visited LA will appreciate Sennaโs not-so-rosy view!
The audio places you directly into Janeโs heads and the inflections hit at all the right places.
I think this book will likely have a huge dichotomy in the reviews. If you enjoy satire, mundane life and a little bit of desperation driving decisions this will likely be a hit for you as well!
The discourse and satire reminded me a lot of Yellowface. The biracial identity politics felt similar to The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
One final note. Danzy is married to Percvial Everette which blows my power-couple loving mind! His books James was one of my favorite reads of the year!