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Queenie

By: Candice Carty-Williams
Narrated by: Shvorne Marks
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Publisher's Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION

Queenie is a twenty-five-year-old Black woman living in south London, straddling Jamaican and British culture whilst slotting neatly into neither. She works at a national newspaper where she's constantly forced to compare herself to her white, middle-class peers, and beg to write about Black Lives Matter. After a messy break up from her long-term white boyfriend, Queenie finds herself seeking comfort in all the wrong places.

As Queenie veers from one regrettable decision to another, she finds herself wondering, What are you doing? Why are you doing it? Who do you want to be? - the questions that every woman today must face in a world that keeps trying to provide the answers for them.

A darkly comic and bitingly subversive take on life, love, race and family, Queenie will have you nodding in recognition, crying in solidarity and rooting for this unforgettable character every step of the way. A disarmingly honest, boldly political and truly inclusive tale that will speak to anyone who has gone looking for love and acceptance and found something very different in its place.

©2019 Candice Carty-Williams (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Inspirational, funny and wise." (Kit de Waal, author of My Name Is Leon)

"A deliciously funny, characterful, topical and thrilling novel for our times." (Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the Booker Prize)

"Brilliant, timely, funny, heartbreaking." (Jojo Moyes)

"A must-read novel about sex, selfhood, and the best friendships that get us through it all." (Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City)

What listeners say about Queenie

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a magnificent read! Init? 😉

This is a loveable, heartbreaking, frustrating, funny, insightful story of one woman's battle with mental illness (although it is never said, I think it might be PTSD) and racism. Now if I had read that in a review I probably wouldn't have picked up this title - ignore the impulse to move on - this book is a must-read!

This is such a good book. At first, I was unsure if this was for me, but after listening to it twice, I am convinced that you won't regret a listen too. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, through and through!

The narrator nails the various accents and different characters' personalities like a pro. She brings life to the veritable feast of characters and a beautiful story to boot!

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2 people found this helpful

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I loved it

This was on my reading list for awhile and it didn’t disappoint. It’s such a relatable and eye-opening story, and I’m so glad I got the audiobook because Shvorne really brought it to life.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Moving, poignant and great fun!

Moving, poignant and great fun. I've laughed out loud listening to this and been heart broken too.
Highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Slow start but great payoff

I didn't really know where it was going at first, but once I got into it, I was totally immersed and couldn't stop listening. Queenie is frustrating, but so real, and that's part of what makes this such a compelling read. I loved going on this journey with her. Shvorne nailed the narration, I'm glad I listened to the audiobook!

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1 person found this helpful

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cannot stop raving about this book

Everything about this book was perfect except for the reviews - it is NOT like Bridget Jones Diary. It is SO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, other than it's a first person narrative about a woman. It is beautiful, complicated, heartbreaking and completely fantastic. It was not the light read I thought it would be, but I'm actually glad for it. Queenie is truly wonderful, the character and the book. Candice Carty-Williams is a fantastic writer - one who truly knows how to describe things like mental health and its recovery. Shvorne Marks is the perfect narrator.
Honestly, if you haven't read this book yet - you're mad. And if you have read it, read it again.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It’s alright, but could have been more

Even though it was enjoyable, I think the characters in this book could have been more developed. I didn’t really feel a connection and it became a bit predictable in the end. But I think on some levels it was a story that a lot of people can relate to. I think everybody either is or has a Queenie in their life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Reality with love

This story may not be a tale that changes the course of history but it is real. It is honest and it depicts real strength, the strength to change your course in life and yourself to find happiness. It is about self reliance. What a brave author.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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So engaging!

Loved every second. All of the characters were so well developed and the narration was excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

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I loved this book!

Great character development. Interesting story with many layers. Highly recommend! x x x x x

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Chick lit / beach read done right!

A black Bridget Jones and I am so there for it! Chick lit/beach read done right!

Loved the attention to sexuality, racial micro-aggressions, mental health, etc.

Voicework was ace.

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