Such A Fun Age

by Kiley Reid
Such A Fun Age cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Contemporary Fiction
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  • ID: 1742
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781526622822
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2020-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Alix Chamberlain, a successful blogger and mother of two, is shaken when her babysitter, Emira Tucker, is wrongly accused of kidnapping her toddler at a local supermarket. The incident, caught on video, sparks a chain reaction that forces both women to confront their own identities, relationships, and the societal expectations placed upon them. As Emira, a young Black woman struggling to find her place in the world, navigates her complicated feelings about Alix's offer to make amends, the two women are drawn into a collision course that challenges their perceptions of family, privilege, and what it means to do the right thing. With sharp social commentary, the novel explores the nuances of transactional relationships and the messy realities of adulthood.

Reviews
Literary Elephant · 2020-08-13
thought-provoking 3.00

The novel unfolds like a race-focused soap opera, with characters that feel somewhat exaggerated.

The reviewer notes that the novel is drama-filled and unfolds like a soap opera, which makes it engaging but also leads to somewhat exaggerated characters. They find the dialogue and characterizations to be over-the-top at times, which affects the overall believability of the story. Despite this, the novel's exploration of race and privilege is seen as a strong point.

Quick quotes

    Such a Fun Age is a drama-filled novel that unfolds like a race-focused soap opera.

    As such, its characters feel somewhat exaggerated, their dialogue and actions often feeling more like caricatures than realistic portrayals.

    The novel's strength lies in its exploration of race and privilege, making it a thought-provoking read despite its flaws.

The Guardian · 2020-01-02
refreshing 4.00

The novel offers a refreshing take on connecting across barriers of race, gender, wealth, and privilege. It is both entertaining and intelligently damning.

The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to tackle complex issues with a light touch, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. They highlight the author's skill in navigating sensitive topics while keeping the narrative engaging. The story is seen as a timely exploration of modern societal issues, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Kiley Reid offers a refreshing take on an age-old question: can we connect across barriers of race, gender, wealth and privilege?

    All in all, it's a cracking debut – charming, authentic and every bit as entertaining as it is calmly, intelligently damning.

    Such a Fun Age is an essential new take on white liberals and black people, and a sharp and witty exploration of race and privilege.

NPR · 2019-12-28
engaging 4.50

The novel is a page-turner with beautifully drawn characters and a riveting plot.

The reviewer praises the novel for being a page-turner, highlighting the beautifully drawn characters and riveting plot. They appreciate the depth and complexity of the story, which makes it both engaging and thought-provoking. The novel's ability to tackle serious issues while maintaining a compelling narrative is seen as a significant achievement.

Quick quotes

    The wonder of Such a Fun Age is that it is also a page-turner with beautifully drawn characters and a riveting plot.

    Reid's novel is a complex, layered page-turner that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

    The characters are beautifully drawn, and the plot is riveting, making it a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary fiction.

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