CHICK LIT
OUR LIFE IN A DAY by Jamie Fewery (Orion £8.99, 288 pp)
MaLe authors are quite a rarity in this category, but it is interesting to read a man’s perspective on long-term love and relationships. and, even better, what it means to maintain these while keeping the rest of life in balance alongside.
This is a story about a ten-year relationship between Tom and esme; about honesty, intimacy and male mental health.
esme is open with Tom from the start about her negative views on marriage and why she feels this way. Tom is much more reticent regarding his emotions.
He’s not used to sharing, and full disclosure makes him uncomfortable — he’s concerned that this amazing woman will run a mile if she knows the truth. However, years later it’s obviously not appropriate to keep huge secrets from the person you live with.
The narrative structure is based around the 24 most significant moments from their relationship, one for each hour in the day. it represents a final chance for Tom to tell his truth, and not simply what he imagines esme wants to hear. i raced through it.
QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams
(Trapeze £12.99, 400 pp) THiS debut is original, heartbreaking, funny and clever, and also carries many important messages. Jamaican British woman Queenie is an appealingly real protagonist trying to find her place in a confusing world which keeps telling her she’s either too much or not enough.
She’s desperate to get her romance with white boyfriend Tom back on track but, despite loving him deeply, can’t find a way to ignore the thoughtless, hurtful comments his family make about race. She also finds it impossible to keep a lid on the outbursts of upset and aggression such remarks engender. Should she pretend it’s not happening, in order to keep the peace, or fight each one, as her instincts demand?
She starts dating again, using apps where men fetishise her curves and dark skin, but has so little self-respect that she allows herself to be treated with physical and emotional violence by a succession of horrible men.
She also meets a guy at work who seems romantic and sweet, until he gets what he wants and then drops her like a hot brick.
Soon Queenie’s life spirals out of control and she is forced to move back in with her grandparents in Brixton in an attempt to sort her life out. She must learn how to stop giving her power away to men who definitely don’t deserve it by raising her low opinion of herself — which is easier said than done.
This vital, uncomfortable and occasionally hilarious book blew my mind in all the best ways. i’m still rooting for Queenie long after turning the final page.