Queenie was the debut novel by Candice Carty-Williams and it’s safe to say, it was a HUGE success.
Released in 2019, Queenie was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and went on to win Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. It was also named one of The Times, Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Mail and Evening Standard’s best books of 2019.
Honestly, I have no idea what’s taken me so long to read this book! It’s been on my bookshelf for a while, so when Candice Carty-Williams’ new novel, People Person, was released, I thought it was time to get cracking with her first book.
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Plot
Queenie is a 25 year old, third-generation Jamaican-British woman trying to find her way in the world. After struggling through a breakup, Queenie’s life starts to unravel. Her issues with her friends and family are exacerbated and her mental health starts to suffer. With her confidence at an all-time low, Queenie finds herself in the arms, and beds, of several unsuitable men.
We follow Queenie as she makes increasingly questionable decisions as she tries to deal with the issues she’s facing.
Queenie Book Review
I really enjoyed this book. Queenie was such a frustrating yet sympathetic central character. I found myself rooting for her and wanting her to be happy. Her flaws, of which she had many, just made her seem more realistic.
I loved the supporting cast of characters and especially enjoyed the tales of her friend’s dating mishaps. The dialogue sparkled and I really liked the light-hearted moments.
Queenie isn’t just a breakup story. It tackles hard-hitting topics such as racism, injustice and mental health. Candice Carty-Williams expertly makes the switch from light-hearted and humorous moments, to grittier more emotional topics.
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza did an excellent job of highlighting systemic racism, and the importance of causes like Black Lives Matter. In this book, the exploration of racism is perhaps more subtle but still clearly something Queenie has to live with on a daily basis. The way she tries to validate herself by attracting white men, along with her identity struggles and her friend’s dismissal of Black Lives Matter, all show how racism is still very much a current issue.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the mixture of witty dialogue along with the more thought-provoking moments.
What should I read after Queenie?
If you enjoyed Queenie, I’d suggest reading People Person, also by Candice Carty-Williams. I’d also recommend reading Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.