Queenie

Queenie follows a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London who straddles Jamaican and British cultures but fits neatly into neither. Working at a national newspaper, she faces constant comparisons to her white, middle-class peers and struggles to have her voice heard, especially on issues like Black Lives Matter. After a painful breakup, Queenie embarks on a series of self-destructive decisions, prompting her to question her identity, desires, and place in the world. This debut novel by Candice Carty-Williams is a darkly comic, politically bold, and deeply inclusive story that explores themes of race, love, family, and selfhood. Praised for its honesty and relevance, Queenie resonates with anyone who has sought acceptance and found unexpected truths instead. The book has received numerous accolades, including being named Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and shortlisted for several prestigious prizes.