Title: Queenie
Author: Candice Carty-Williams
First published March 19, 2019
330 pages, Hardcover
Rating: 3.87
Overview
Meet Queenie Jenkins, a young woman living in London, trying to balance two cultures that don’t always fit together. She works at a national newspaper where she struggles to find a place among her white middle-class colleagues.
After a tumultuous breakup with her long-term boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places. She falls for a string of men who do more harm than good to her self-esteem.
As she navigates through life’s ups and downs, Queenie begins to question her decisions and wonders about the person she wants to become. Join Queenie on her journey of self-discovery as she grapples with the challenges of being a modern-day woman in a world that constantly tries to define her.
About the Author
Meet Candice Carty-Williams. She came into the world in 1989, born from an affair between a Jamaican cab driver who doesn’t talk much and a Jamaican-Indian receptionist who loves to talk.
Despite her sixth form teachers telling her she wasn’t smart enough for English, Candice pursued Media studies at Sussex. She went on to prove her doubters wrong by first working at the Guardian Guide and then transitioning into publishing at the young age of 23.
Carty-Williams has since found her niche in marketing literary fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. One of her career highlights was interviewing David Cronenberg and telling him that she wished she could look like him if she were a white man.
In response, Cronenberg called her a “delightful person”. In 2016, Candice created and launched the Guardian and 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, aiming to discover, promote, and celebrate writers from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds.
She also regularly contributes to Refinery29 and i-D.
Editoral Review
Queenie, by Candice Carty-Williams, is a debut novel that explores issues of race, mental health, and relationships through the lens of a young British Jamaican woman navigating life in contemporary London. Carty-Williams is a British writer, editor, and journalist and her writing is heavily influenced by her personal experiences as a woman of color in the UK.
The book, published on March 19, 2019, is categorized as contemporary fiction. The book follows Queenie Jenkins, a young Jamaican-British journalist, as she goes through a difficult period in her life.
She is grappling with a recent break-up, strained relationships with friends and family, and work-related stress. Queenie’s journey is one of self-discovery and healing, as she explores her identity, learns to confront her inner demons, and works to reclaim her sense of self-worth.
The novel is set in London, and the city serves as an integral backdrop to the story, with its fast-paced, multicultural environment providing a rich and diverse perspective on contemporary British society. The book is also notable for its treatment of race and mental health issues, as it delves into how these issues impact the lives and relationships of people of color in the UK.
As such, the book has significant cultural and historical significance. Carty-Williams’ writing style is refreshing and engaging, with a strong, narrative voice that immerses readers in Queenie’s story.
Her descriptions of the characters and settings are vivid and effectively capture the emotional nuances of the story. The pacing of the novel is well-structured, with the narrative taking readers on a journey that is at once emotional and thought-provoking.
One of the book’s strengths is its complex and fully-realized characters. From Queenie’s best friends Kyazike and Darcy, to her estranged mother and her work colleagues, each character is well-developed and brings a unique perspective to the story.
Additionally, the novel is admirably nuanced in its exploration of mental health, with a realistic depiction of mental health struggles and the impact of these issues on the people around the sufferer. That said, the novel is not without its flaws.
Some readers may find the book’s depiction of race and mental health to be overly didactic at times and there may be a feeling that some of the issues are being addressed in a superficial manner. Additionally, some readers may find the book’s resolution to be somewhat lacking in depth.
Overall, Queenie is a well-crafted, thought-provoking book that skillfully delves into a range of contemporary issues. It is a poignant exploration of race, mental health, and relationships, with characters that are complex, relatable, and emotionally engaging.
While it may not be without its flaws, the book is a deserving read for anyone looking to engage with complex issues in contemporary society. Score: 4/5
