This book has been seriously hyped, and going in I was unsure of what to expect beyond an examination of the relationship between a young black woman and her affluent white employer. Fortunately Such a Fun Age is so much more than that.

Kiley Reid's novel kicks off with Emira, a 25-year-old black woman who works part-time as a babysitter for Alix Chamberlain's daughter Briar embarking on a late night visit to a supermarket Emira is involved in an altercation with a security guard who believes she has kidnapped Briar. While Emira is a little shaken by the incident and looking to shrug it off Alix is outraged and wants to put things right. The incident is captured on video by a young (white) man who soon becomes a key part of the narrative too.

Emira is like many young women these days - muddling through her mid-20s without a whole lot of direction, feeling like her friends are all more successful and in a better place in life than she is. She is soon to turn 26 and therefore will no longer be covered by her parents health insurance, so is desperately looking for a job with this benefit (side note: I had no idea how much of a serious issue this was in America..). This search proves unsuccessful, and due to the nature of Alix's job (as an inspirational speaker) she needs Emira to work more hours, but she also wants to be Emira's friend and help her better herself. This is where things become problematic but thought-provoking: Alix is a typical "white saviour". You know the kind - she has black friends so how can she be racist, right?! This differs from other books of this ilk, however, as we have a highly developed African American protagonist who we view Alix's actions through, and the consequences of these actions and how this causes Emira to reassess her job.

This topic, along with the issues brought up around it (such as the transactional relationship of a nanny) for a stimulating topic to base a novel around. I would just add that despite the complex themes this is SO readable and I found it hard to put down. Recommended!