In Every Mirror She's Black - by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

I loved this book! Would definitely recommend it. A great book club read with lots of areas for possible discussion! It's an accessible read in terms of the flow of the storyline but layered with so much depth and nuance. It leaves the reader continuing to ask questions and ponder important realities of how black women exist in spaces of Western/ white dominance. It is an exploration of the lure and attractiveness of spaces, ideals, and people that have been held as the standard and the price extracted to exist in these same places. A marvelous debut!

Overall it is an easy read and does provide insight into the cultural norms of Nordic culture and garners a deeper understanding of struggles faced by refugees. My wish is that there was more development of the story and psyche of the women portrayed in a more realistic light. I wanted to walk away from this novel and don it as a page turner - but instead, I found that the story didn't start to climb until at least a third of the way into the novel. 2 of the 3 women showcased made seemingly very unrealistic life changes given the career status (director level) and maturity (seasoned) that each woman was portrayed. As their stories unfold they climb into continually heightened exaggerated actions that are hard to rationalize. The saving grace was the later of the 3 women who garnered more empathy. I wish that the character portrayal had been more developed and more believable with more elaboration and footing. As the book came to a close much of the rhetoric on the characters motives and movements felt replayed. Understanding that this is the author's first adult novel, I look forward to seeing these kinks smoothed in sophomore endeavors.

I received this as an early copy. I really loved this book. One of my favorites of the year. I love how it felt real like I could picture all the scenes in my head. Everyone should read it.