Kiley Reid’s first novel gained significant attention even before its publication, with endorsements from various sources ranging from Jojo Moyes and Lena Waithe to Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times. In January, Reese Witherspoon selected Such a Fun Age as the featured title for her monthly book club. Delving into themes of race, class, job insecurity, and gender dynamics, this book has struck a chord with a diverse group of readers. In the current climate of global protests against police brutality and systemic racism following the tragic deaths of Black individuals such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, the relevance of this novel is profound. Reid skillfully weaves a narrative that deeply examines racism in contemporary America.
The story begins in 2015 during Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Alix Chamberlain is a white, older millennial residing in New York with her two children, where she runs a business called “LetHer Speak” that advocates female empowerment through letter writing. While participating in a panel discussion on reproductive health and empowering literature for girls, Alix breastfeeds her two-year-old daughter publicly, becoming the focus of a viral video. As her career gains momentum, Alix agrees to relocate to Philadelphia at her husband Peter’s insistence, though she continues to portray herself as being in New York on social media, highlighting her preoccupation with appearances. Needing a new babysitter, Alix selects Emira Tucker from sittercity.com without seeing her photo. To her surprise, Emira turns out to be Black.
Shortly after Emira starts working for the Chamberlains, Alix calls her late at night offering to pay double if she takes her daughter Briar to a nearby store to keep her occupied. This request stems from the vandalism of their home following a racist comment made by Peter, a news anchor. Despite being at a friend’s birthday celebration, Emira agrees to go, unaware of the situation at the Chamberlains’ residence. This incident triggers a series of events that prompt Alix to reevaluate her attitudes towards Emira and race.
As Alix strives to connect with Emira to assuage her guilt, Emira solely sees the need for a stable job with benefits. Their contrasting perspectives are further explored through alternating chapters depicting their daily lives and the aftermath of the grocery store confrontation. While Emira seeks to move past the incident, Alix fixates on their relationship dynamics and her own image. The novel highlights overt racism but also delves into microaggressions and unconscious biases prevalent among well-meaning white individuals.
Reid’s narrative excels in capturing nuanced character details that breathe life into the story. Through vivid descriptions, the book paints a vivid picture of millennial life, interwoven with complex social commentary. Such a Fun Age not only offers entertaining characters but also serves as a reflection on how race and privilege shape personal identities and interactions. With its engaging storyline and incisive social critique, this novel is a must-read for summer.
