I have to say, darlings, Reese's track record for picking good fiction is very on the spot. "Such A Fun Age" is an unusual kind of thriller, where there is no killing, no violence, and where the threat here is the narcissism of two of the main characters.
Those would be Alix Murphy, and Kelley Copeland, who have a history, going back to high school, that neither one will let go of. Now adults, Alix has married Peter Murphy, starts out living in Manhattan, where she creates a domestic type of website, along the lines of Martha Stewart, or Gwyneth Paltrow. Only better than Gwyneth. Even Martha is, too.
Circumstances force them to move to Philadephia, and that's where things happen. Alix establishes herself, hires a babysitter named Emira, for her two children. Emira, at once picks up on Alix preferring the younger child, Catherine, over the elder, Briar.
One evening, Alix sends Kendra to the grocer's at 11PM. Circumstances force her to bring Briar, and then an incident occurs which is videotaped by a witness. What follows then is trouble.
Mixing a bit of 'Six Degrees,' a dollop of "Fatal Attraction," Kiley Reid creates a political thriller based on Afro Americans and how they are perceived by the more affluent members of the White community. And let me tell you, it is not that far removed from Margaret Mitchell's Civil War time. Just played out more, with phony civility.
To say more would to rob the reader of the pleasure of this thoughtful, insightful debut. Some thrillers leave readers shaken, this one left me thinking.
Congratulations to Kiley Reid! She took familiar elements, and blended them together to create something new! Who says there is no talent out there? I cannot wait for her next book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep picking them, Reese! You sure know what you are doing!
Didn’t think I wanted to read another White Savior story but you’re right, this is different!
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ReplyDeleteVictoria,
Oh, it is very different. An unexpected surprise!