Colored Television

a novelist finds herself in on the outskirts of hollywood, more specifically television writing, and all the nasty structures that keep the rich and white inside their politically neutral world. there is so much to unpack here: what it means to be a non-white creative and how "representation" comes into play, ownership of abstract intellectual property, the mulatto experience, and more. i loved how observant senna is in her writing, especially in jane's tangents about the various characters in her life, and can personally relate to getting the rug pulled under myself for ideas i put forward but were then taken and claimed by someone else as a bipoc academic. it's easy to get swept up when the rewards of these structures feel in reach for once which is the brilliance and downfall of hoping.

A biracial novelist dreams of writing a groundbreaking book but realises it won't sell. To support her family, she turns to Hollywood for financial stability. Disheartened by her publisher's rejection of her manuscript, unsure if they even read it, she finds hope when a Hollywood producer expresses keen interest in her ideas. Amidst financial struggles to support her young family and maintain her marriage, she's drawn in by his promises, striving to provide her children with every opportunity. I read Caucasia a month ago and I really like Senna's writing style and voice. Despite Jane's flawed nature and questionable decisions, her character development captivated me, making the book thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you, Net Galley and Dialogue books, for this advance reading copy.

Colored Television is a sharp, darkly comedic look at the complexities of race, identity, and the challenges of making it in the art world. Set in present-day Los Angeles, the story follows Jane, a biracial novelist, and her husband Lenny, both of whom are talented but financially strapped, trying to raise two young kids,

This book is both funny and cringe-inducing in the best ways, offering a clever satire of the entertainment industry and the compromises artists sometimes make. If you enjoyed Yellowface, you’ll likely appreciate Senna’s ability to blend humor with uncomfortable truths. It’s a readable, thought-provoking novel that keeps you entertained while making you think.