Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
The novel is a story about race and privilege with a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.
The book begins with a scene where the black babysitter is out late with the white child and a security guard in a supermarket accuses the babysitter of kidnapping the two-year-old. A small crowd gathers, a bystander films everything, and the babysitter is furious and humiliated. The employer resolves to make it right.
“I don't need you to be mad that it happened. I need you to be mad that it just like... happens.”
This was stunning.
I can't believe this is a debut and I am looking forward to reading everything else Reid writes.
This book discussed race in such a nuanced, but simple and relatable way that I think everyone could understand the complexities of it. You were able to empathise and understand where each character was coming from and therefore what led to their personal emotional reactions and actions.
Seeing this outsider perspective in this complicated relationship of characters helped me to be able to see actions that are helpful and actions that are not. And also that helping to support black people and reduce racism does not need to involve removing black people's choice in the battles they decide to fight or the things they decide to care about.
Highly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you feel naive in conversations about race.
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