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A review by titalindaslibrary
The Unfortunates by JK Chukwu
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Vibes: a mock thesis documenting the inner thoughts of a queer, Black scholar. A Dear John letter to the world of white academia.
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Sahara is Not Okay. Entering her sophomore year at a PWI, she already feels like a failure: her body is too much, her love life is nonexistent, she’s not Nigerian enough for her family, her grades are subpar, and the few Black classmates she has are vanishing—or dying. Sahara herself is close to giving up.
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This book is HEAVY, and at times I felt like Sahara’s Life Partner (depression) would drown us both. Please take care of yourself and look up trigger warnings before reading.
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The Unfortunates is one of the most creative and sharply written books I’ve come across in a while. Sahara shares her story in the form of a thesis, all while resisting ceremonious academic airs. From the De(a)dication, I knew this would be good. The unique, mixed media format this book went with had me curious to see what each page would reveal. There were emails, texts, footnotes, theater, art, and even (*gasp*) a scantron sheet. All of which made Sahara’s story feel more real. The ending has got to be one of the most satisfying full circle moments I’ve read to date.
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This is another book that absolutely deserves more hype. Pick this up for a character-driven, contemporary, clever twist on the dark academia genre.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sahara is Not Okay. Entering her sophomore year at a PWI, she already feels like a failure: her body is too much, her love life is nonexistent, she’s not Nigerian enough for her family, her grades are subpar, and the few Black classmates she has are vanishing—or dying. Sahara herself is close to giving up.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book is HEAVY, and at times I felt like Sahara’s Life Partner (depression) would drown us both. Please take care of yourself and look up trigger warnings before reading.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Unfortunates is one of the most creative and sharply written books I’ve come across in a while. Sahara shares her story in the form of a thesis, all while resisting ceremonious academic airs. From the De(a)dication, I knew this would be good. The unique, mixed media format this book went with had me curious to see what each page would reveal. There were emails, texts, footnotes, theater, art, and even (*gasp*) a scantron sheet. All of which made Sahara’s story feel more real. The ending has got to be one of the most satisfying full circle moments I’ve read to date.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is another book that absolutely deserves more hype. Pick this up for a character-driven, contemporary, clever twist on the dark academia genre.