This wasn't for me. I was impressed with the amount of academic research undertaken in this book but sadly I found the delivery a little lacking.

I am not sure whether I liked this book or not as I found it too “clever” for me to a certain extent. I totally understand the premises of the book but the dialogue did not suit me. On saying this it is a book everyone should read and take on board the problems society is facing whatever your colour or culture. Life is very difficult for so many people and I am sure that the narrative of this book is 100% correct. Many of the stories who relate to people were very disturbing. I wonder how many people, like me, did not realise to what great extent racism in the work place is especially never seeing it.

An academic account of Race, Racism, and how it feels to be Black in the modern world. Academic writings interspersed with tales of racial micro-aggressions, every racism, and systemic bias: " White people can afford not to be awake, they can choose not to see, they can close their ears. Such luxuries are not available to people of colour".... Read it! (and please don't touch our hair!)

I am a white teacher who works with students from a range of backgrounds, living in London. Technically I'm a migrant (from France) but I've suffered pretty much zero discrimination on that basis, unlike my fiancé and many friends, colleagues and students who are not white. I've always been interested in racial justice, and in the past few years I've been reading extensively about anti-racism. I also read a lot of fiction written by Black women - I recommend you check out #20booksbyblackwomen

The Racial Code: Takes of Resistance and Survival by Professor Nicola Rollock. This is the ideal read for people who don't read much non-fiction, as it is a mix of non-fiction and satire - several short stories based on real life issues and experiences. We follow various individuals dealing with microaggressions and the racism (sometimes blatant, sometimes covert, but insidious nonetheless) of institutions and people within them. There is a plethora of footnotes referring to studies.

I don't think I can make this book justice in a short caption - I have posted some of my favourite extracts on Instagram. I definitely recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 rounded up)

Thank you @penguinukbooks and @profnicolarollock for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible insight into the terrible abuse many people from ethnic minority backgrounds suffer. In 2022 it is astounding the way people think it is okay to treat people abusively and unfairly. An eye opening book, that everyone should read.

This is an exceedingly important book and very informative about attitudes to race and discrimination . It is a very clever mix of real life examples of discrimination and of created examples based on real facts, hiding the source. This is about discrimination based on race but many of the examples could equally be applied to women. One of the best examples is if the only black senior management males being asked why he wasn’t carrying his tray. That reminded me of the only senior female figure in my organisation being asked by the hotel management when the men would want lunch. She too was assumed to be a secretary. The examples given are certainly thought provoking and makes the reader realise that discrimination can be about race, gender, social background and other circumstances. It is an enormously important analysis and I recommend it.

If you've read any of my other recent book reviews, you'll already know that I start 'em all off by saying that each book starts off with the full shebang of stars and that I'm always hopeful that they'll still be there when I close the back cover.

I got the ARC of this book from Net Galley after it was approved by the publisher and I can't wait to get my nose stuck in it 'cos race and survival have always interested me.

I've got a hot drink freshly made - a truly great book will mean that it goes cold before I can drink it - will this book be one of those incredible but rare books that make it happen this morning?

Let's get reading and reviewing.

I can already tell that this is gonnna be a good book 'cos my hot drink is now barely tepid lol

The book starts off by talking about the authors university life and then about the murder of Stephen Lawrence... as long as the descriptions aren't too gross then that's OK, I could just end up in floods of tears.

This is a good book which is really opening my eyes to what those men and women who are from minority ethnic backgrounds have to put up with on a daily basis, purely because of the colour of their skin. We're well into the 21st century now, so why is it still happening??

It's absolutely shocking that racism is still so regular and seemingly brushed under the carpet by so many people even in the 2020's... it shouldn't be happening full stop, let alone in the more modern world that we live in!

That's shocking too... they are trying to sound unracist in the press release which makes it even worse in my eyes!!

This is still very much a five star book but my anger levels are through the roof at the outright injustice of those who are from a minority ethnic background!

What a brilliant book and so deserving of each and every one of those five stars. Before I started reading this book, I thought I was pretty clued up on racism and how to help those who are being racially attacked but I was wrong. So so wrong. I didn't realise just how much racism there was in workplaces as well as social places and in the media. Those men and women who are judged purely on the colour of their skin are so much stronger than I could ever be. I am gonna try and do my tiny part to stamp out the racism that I encounter at every opportunity now that I've finished reading this incredible book.

This was genuinely brilliant.

I think in the time that we’re in, nuance, especially when it comes to matters like racism, is no longer applicable. This makes ‘The Racial Code’s’ stark, in your face narrative combined with clearly explained analyses a perfect approach to a problem that, as the book emphasises, cannot be solved within old systems.

From the first short story (which is, as all the others, based on either research or accounts of real life stories), readers are exposed to the British ignorance of race that keeps manifesting, not only in the beginning but throughout the book, until it eventually morphs into the violent, “awakening” (i use this word sarcastically to emphasise the author’s own point) racist events that make it to the media.

I’m usually not a huge fan of non-fiction but this book lands as an exception due to its original style, it’s focus on the micro to macro pipeline, and it’s emotional elements. Everyone can take something from this book.

I can see how this is a great book, but the style of it didn't suit me I'm afraid. I was interested in the real life examples, but a lot of the explanations went over my head. I do think it's a great read for the right person and I gope it does really well, and I will try with another book on the same topic. Thanks for letting me read it.