NPR

'Such A Fun Age' Is A Complex, Layered Page-Turner

The title of Kiley Reid's debut novel works on multiple levels — it can refer to chronological age or political era — and those different meanings echo throughout this funny, uncomfortable book.
Source: Petra Mayer

The title of Kiley Reid's debut, , works on so many levels it makes me giddy — and, what's better, the title's plurality of meaning is echoed all over the place within the novel, where both plot and dialogue are layered with history, prejudice, expectations, and assumptions. The title's "fun age" might refer to one of the two main characters, Emira Tucker, a 25-year-old black woman who keenly feels that working part-time as a babysitter and part-time as a typist doesn't count as true adulting. It might refer to her

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR1 min read
After The Fires
The fires in Los Angeles are almost out. Residents are starting to trickle back into their burned-out neighborhoods. When they get to their houses, they face a series of almost impossible questions: Do we want to live here amongst all this destructio
NPR1 min read
The "Chilling Effect" Of Deportations
After being sworn into office, President Trump signed a whole host of executive actions and orders that affirm his campaign promise to crack down on immigration.Trump's border czar has said Chicago is at the top of the list of places to be targeted.
NPR1 min readAmerican Government
Trump Promises "Golden Age," Moves To Enact Sweeping Executive Actions
"I return to the presidency, confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success," Trump said after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. In an inaugural address where he outlined a number

Related Books & Audiobooks