An outing to the grocery store in an upscale neighborhood takes an unexpected turn when black babysitter Emira is accused of kidnapping the young white girl she’s watching. What surrounds this incident in Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age is page after compulsively readable page of what reviewer Stephanie Hayes succinctly describes as a satirization of performative wokeness (her review is here).

Through quick-moving plot twists and snappily realistic dialogue, the author calls into question not only those who are obviously prejudiced but also those who think they are “woke” but who continue to center themselves in any narrative of which they find themselves a part, particularly in situations involving minorities.

Start reading this novel for its narrative quality; stay for its thought-provoking critique of do-gooders who are, at their core, unintentionally egocentric.

Though this book is not written about immigrants specifically, there is enough crossover in the critique that I thought it would be helpful to mention. After reading, maybe you’ll be compelled to pause, as I did, and ask yourself: am I centering myself as the hero in immigrants’ stories, or do I accept the humbler role of cultural guide?

Buy your copy of Such a Fun Age here!