Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

What is it about?

25-year-old Queenie, a Jamaican British living in London, sees her life spinning out of control after a series of misinformed choices.

OK, but what is it really about?

After a devastating breakup, suffering through a miscarriage, problems at work and a string of meaningless one-nighters, protagonist Queenie’s mental health is in a downward spiral. She is losing control of her life and eventually realizes that she needs professional help - and that in order to get better, she has to dig deep into her past and unravel family secrets she had tried to brush aside her whole life.

Is it any good?

I bought this book a few months ago and only got around to reading it over the last few weeks - right around the time the Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations after the violent death of George Floyd began to dominate the news cycle. In that sense, it remains an extremely timely and important read. The plight of black people all around the world resonates on every page of this novel; when Queenie’s colleague and friend Darcy makes a rush and imprudent comment, which in her mind is absolutely unproblematic, but leads Queenie to think “I wished that well-meaning white liberals would think before they said things that they thought were perfectly innocent”; when Queenie, an aspiring journalist, pitches a story about the Me Too movement to her boss Gina, who suggests that Queenie compiles the best dresses Me Too supporters have worn at award ceremonies instead; when Queenie and her friend get into a fight with two (white) girls at a club and the bouncer immediately presumes that it must have been the black women who were at fault and asks them to leave.

While this sounds like a rather dark and haunting tale - which it is, at times - “Queenie” is also a highly entertaining read. It’s not an easy feat for an author to write about serious issues like mental health, abuse, racism and gentrification and at the same time maintain a light and humorous touch. Candice Carty-Williams, however, straddles this fine line most skillfully in her debut novel. She paints an incredibly believable and authentic portrait of a young black woman in today’s world.

Favorite character?

For me, there is only one right answer to this question: it’s Kyazike. Queenie’s oldest friend is charmingly funny, her stories are hilarious, and she’s the kind of friend you’d call after you murdered someone because she wouldn’t ask any dumb, unnecessary questions but would stop by immediately and help you get rid of the body instead.

However, I also would like to mention Queenie’s grandad. We don’t hear a lot from him over the course of this book - he’s a quiet one, especially compared to his wife, Queenie’s affectionate but complicated grandmother - but he really comes through for his granddaughter towards the end and actually had me tear up a little when he said: “I know we never really talk. But, as you say, that’s just my way. But because I don’t talk nah mean I don’t feel. When you came to stay those months ago, I felt bad. […] I could see the fear, the resignation. I thought you’d given up. […] But you didn’t let it take you. You’re full of fight, Queenie. Full of fight.”

Most memorable quote?

"‘You joking, fam?’ Kyazike laughed. ‘You think life is a film? Even if it was, fam, we’re black. “Whatever shade”,’ she said, mimicking my voice. ‘We’d be the first to die.’”

Conclusion?

“Queenie” was billed as “a Black Bridget Jones”, but this novel is so much more than that. Queenie is a complex, layered character with a sharp mind and apt observations - which makes her meltdown all the more painful to watch. She may not always be likeable, and at times I seriously questioned her choices - but there wasn’t a single moment when I wasn’t rooting for her.

AT A GLANCE

Title: Queenie

Author: Candice Carty-Williams

Published by: Orion Publishing

Pages: 392

Language: English