Such a Good Ending - Such a Fun Age, final reflection.

 Now that I’ve finished the book, I can confidently say that I was rooting for Emira all along and that I’m beaming at this ending. She deserved to finally have a promising career surrounded by people who appreciate and praise her. I do feel sorry about Briar, since she and her former babysitter had such a special connection. But, after all, that’s just how life goes. I don’t know how to feel about Alix and Kelley, though. They didn’t learn a thing from their experience with Emira, and so they never changed, which is disappointing but not surprising.

As for me, I think I was able to reflect about my own experience here in Argentina, and how the different aspects of my identity determine my role in it. As a woman, I often feel discriminated against and looked down upon by the opposite gender; as a white person, I realise that my own privilege is far greater than people who are darker than me. Both statements are now truer than ever in this country. Even though this book is set in the US, I think we can all understand that societal change happens within us, and that we should use our privilege for the good of others.

Young, dumb and broke - Such a Fun Age, chapters 21-25.

 One of the things that I loved the most about this book is its relatability. Regardless of your race, gender or age you can find something you can identify with. For instance, Emira doesn’t only have to deal with being a black woman in a society that doesn’t fully accept her; she’s also really young and just starting to navigate her journey toward self-discovery and adulthood, which is something we can all connect with.

In a scene from chapter 24, Emira and Zara are desperately trying to negotiate better benefits at the cost of gaining less money for a temp job, just so she can quit her job as a nanny. When I read that, I felt absolutely enraged because similar things have happened to friends of mine here in Argentina. Our job market is getting worse with time, and younger people are left with jobs that neither provide a living wage nor barely acceptable benefits, but still have to take in order to survive. Whatsmore, we still have to listen to older people nagging about how we’re “just lazy” and giving us unprompted advice that’s way out of line, much like how Tamra treated Emira in previous chapters. I could understand her desperation for health care and the need for a “real-ass job”.

It really is a “fun age”.

Nobody’s perfect - Such a Fun Age, chapters 16-20.

 I can’t help but wonder whether I was ever so intense in my reactions toward people around me, like the characters from the story. I guess I have — after all, I’m human too. In hindsight, I think that extreme situations make me behave differently as well. I’m usually a serene person and avoid confrontation at all costs, but whenever I see any injustice or dishonesty, I turn defensive and lose all my temper. I also try to be right all the time, and never stop to think about what I’m saying. Even though I think opposing any injustice in society is crucial in the world we live in, I do realise that sometimes my reactions are not always ideal, and that I should take it easy. 

When I think about characters such as Alix and her behaviour throughout the novel, I believe that, although I don’t agree with her, I still can understand her reactions toward Emira’s decisions or Kelley’s presence. None of these characters are perfect; on the contrary, they are complex and sometimes their actions will not sit right with us. Even though while I was reading it I was frustrated with them, now I can see that I have done or said things I’m not proud of either. 

People pleaser - Such a Fun Age, chapters 11-15.

 Insecurities play a big role during these chapters both for Emira and Alix, as their personalities get either downplayed or exaggerated. Emira has always compared herself with others, and often feels as if she had to do more. During the Thanksgiving dinner, I could see a more silent and composed version of her. But, it felt as if Emira was not really being herself, especially after the uncomfortable conversation she had with Tamra, the only other black woman in attendance. Both are black women, but their income and life-style are broadly different, which leads Tamra to diminish Emira’s life unintentionally. Tamra wanted to be a “role model” for her, but she ended up being patronising. 

In contrast, Alix’s whole purpose from the start was to make herself look like a relatable woman to Emira but nothing in her life, apart from her gender, could be relatable to her and this self-consciousness leaves her embarrassed about herself and her lifestyle. And now, with Kelley’s presence, she goes from easy-going to hyper-aware, as if she were back in high school again, trying to prove that she was “cool” and “not racist”. But, she’s just a white woman trying to prove herself to a white man who thinks he’s a black ally just because he wants to feel better about himself.  

“Total steal” - “Such a Fun Age” chapters 6-10.

 There’s a specific moment in the novel that made me realise how our identities have an impact even in the friendships that we have: 

“That’s a really amazing offer,” Emira said. “What’s your rent again?”

“Oh, it’s not bad at all.” Shaunie shook her head. “Only $1150 each. Plus utilities. Total steal. Oh shit, Troy’s calling me. Babe, hi.” (Chapter 10, p.107)

What appears to be a simple conversation between Emira and her friend Shaunie, is in turn the perfect representation on how our realities are shaped by different aspects in our identities. Emira and Shaunie are both young women of colour, but while Emira is a financially struggling dark-skinned woman, Shaunie comes from a biracial wealthy background who has always had her parents’ financial support. Because of this, Shaunie not only got more opportunities in the workfield and had more financial success than Emira, but she also got more attention at public spaces.  

This is all represented in the conversation above, and in how oblivious Shaunie was to Emira’s financial situation. It never crossed her mind how expensive her rent is for someone like Emira, and dismissed the conversation as if it were an obvious choice for her. I think it’s clear how our identity shapes the way we think, and separates us from even our closest friends.

Women’s jealousy and guilt in “Such a Fun Age” - Chapters 1-5.

 The characters in “Such a Fun Age” were written as if Kiley Reid had taken them out of real life, and even though this was just the beginning of the book, I was already hooked. I especially liked how Reid started the story by telling Emira’s point of view and then moved to Alix’s, which I think added more context about their struggles and their own realities, and made me feel more empathy for both.

I found it interesting how they are jealous of each other, but for different reasons. Emira wants to find a real job and be successful, like Alix. And Alix struggles to let go of her expectations as a mother, and tries to connect and relate to someone youthful like Emira. However, neither of them could relate to the other, as a big part of Emira’s identity is being black.

Guilt was a recurrent theme throughout this section. Alix felt guilty about everything, including her husband’s actions, but she’s still a privileged white woman. Emira, however,  tired of feeling alienated and misjudged as a black woman, wants to quit her job but feels guilty about leaving Briar. As a reader, one can reflect on how, for women, common feelings such as jealousy and guilt, can look different depending on whether that woman is white or black .