Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
Helpful Score: 1
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza is a novel of contrasts. The writers: Ms. Piazza is a best-selling author and is white; Ms. Pride, a veteran editor, is Black and this is the first novel she's written. The main characters: Riley has strong relationships with her stable close-knit family, she's a rising-star TV reporter, is single with no children, and is Black. Jen has a contentious relationship with her mom who raised her as a single teen, works retail with hopes of something more stable, is married to Kevin (a police officer) and is pregnant with their first child, and is white.
Riley and Jen have been best friends since childhood; Riley's parents practically raised Jen. Their relationship has ebbed and flowed over the years, but with Riley recently returning to their home town of Philadelphia for her career, both women are hopeful proximity will renew their bond. Then while on the job, Jen's husband Kevin shoots and kills a 14-year-old Black boy and Riley is the reporter assigned to cover the story, putting these lifelong friends on opposite sides.
This story explores privilege, prejudice, bias, and microaggressions which will be uncomfortable for some readers. While I appreciate that the plot 'flips the script' on some common racial stereotypes, others are present in full force, especially for the white characters. I hope they were included as fodder for discussion and learning rather than reinforcing certain viewpoints and opinions. I'd love to discuss this book with a diverse group of readers.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, Shayna Small, Kevin R. Free, and Chante McCormick, mostly while driving and it felt like Jen and Riley were taking turns as my passenger, sharing their viewpoints of these tragic events. It was such a unique and meaningful reading experience.
Thank you to Atria Books for the review copy and to Omaha Public Library for the audiobook. I'm eager to read this author duo's next collaboration.
Riley and Jen have been best friends since childhood; Riley's parents practically raised Jen. Their relationship has ebbed and flowed over the years, but with Riley recently returning to their home town of Philadelphia for her career, both women are hopeful proximity will renew their bond. Then while on the job, Jen's husband Kevin shoots and kills a 14-year-old Black boy and Riley is the reporter assigned to cover the story, putting these lifelong friends on opposite sides.
This story explores privilege, prejudice, bias, and microaggressions which will be uncomfortable for some readers. While I appreciate that the plot 'flips the script' on some common racial stereotypes, others are present in full force, especially for the white characters. I hope they were included as fodder for discussion and learning rather than reinforcing certain viewpoints and opinions. I'd love to discuss this book with a diverse group of readers.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, Shayna Small, Kevin R. Free, and Chante McCormick, mostly while driving and it felt like Jen and Riley were taking turns as my passenger, sharing their viewpoints of these tragic events. It was such a unique and meaningful reading experience.
Thank you to Atria Books for the review copy and to Omaha Public Library for the audiobook. I'm eager to read this author duo's next collaboration.
