03/06/2023
Chukwu’s inventive debut explores the isolation of a queer Black woman at an elite university. The narrative is framed as an honors thesis (the narrative begins, “Dear Thesis Committee,/ It has come to my attention that smoking kills, along with police, loner white boys, and looks”), and it includes footnotes, a table of contents modeled on a playlist, and zine-inspired collage illustrations, all from college sophomore Sahara. She’s struggled with depression and self-harm for years, dubbing depression her “Life Partner” and having imagined arguments with it. At her university, however, incessant microaggressions, institutional hypocrisy, healthcare inequities, and a relentless trend of other Black students dropping out, disappearing, or dying by suicide (the “Unfortunates” of the title) lead the troubled Sahara into disordered eating, binge drinking, and suicidal ideation. Sahara is clearly bright—her narration is playful even at its angriest—and a little bored by her coursework; depression clouds her ability not only to excel but also to clearly see those who would gladly support her if given the chance (especially her longtime best friend, called “Ride or Die”). Though the prevalence of code names for secondary characters verges on overkill, Sahara’s voice is formidable, and her story powerful. This blistering anthem brims with rage and hope. (Feb.)
A Bustle "Most Anticipated Book of Winter 2023" * A Good Morning America "February Buzz Pick" * An Autostraddle "54 Queer and Feminist Books Coming Out Winter 2023" * A The Root "February 2023 Books by Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read" * An Ebony "Required Reading: 11 Black Authors To Get Into February 2023" * An Open Country Mag "Anticipated Book of 2023" —
“Chukwu meticulously and brilliantly balances tough topics like depression with biting comedy, crafting a narrative about a young woman trying to survive and help others do the same.” — Shondaland
“The Unfortunates is a powerful call to arms by a promising young writer who is not afraid to take risks, and for that we are very fortunate indeed.” — Bookpage
"[A] playful, powerful debut. . . . Speaking to the pressure Black people often feel to stifle their feelings in predominantly white spaces. . . . A poignant reminder of how tight a hold mental illness can have." — Zakiya Dalila Harris, The New York Times Book Review
"Required reading. . . . What do you do when your fellow Black co-eds are disappearing, and you fear you’re next? Sahara, a queer, half-Nigerian student at an elite college, pens her opus, a no-holds-barred thesis to the racist institution that has stolen a part of her soul, but she and her community of BIPOC women won’t give up without a fight." — Ebony
A "Top Ten Books We Can't Wait to Read in February" Pick — PureWow
“Chukwu has written an extraordinary coming-of-age novel, with a fascinating protagonist and a tone that is just right for her material. The book’s dark atmosphere is enhanced by the presence of the author's own black-and-white illustrations. The result is a tour de force.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Formidable . . . powerful. This blistering anthem brims with rage and hope.” — Publishers Weekly
“Exciting in form; powerful in content.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A playful, powerful debut novel” — New York Times Book Review
Deanna Anthony is an entertaining voice for Sahara, a university student who is in total turmoil. This coming-of-age novel revamps an established genre with a unique character and set of circumstances. Sahara is going through normal 20-something angst, but as a half- Nigerian queer young person, her struggle to find her place in the world also brings her up against mental health issues. Anthony's performance is lively and full of spunk. She maximizes Sahara's wit and captures her sarcastic outlook on life. Fans of young adult novels will find much to admire here, including an easy, enjoyable listening experience. Anthony is an experienced narrator who shows off her depth in this title. M.R. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Deanna Anthony is an entertaining voice for Sahara, a university student who is in total turmoil. This coming-of-age novel revamps an established genre with a unique character and set of circumstances. Sahara is going through normal 20-something angst, but as a half- Nigerian queer young person, her struggle to find her place in the world also brings her up against mental health issues. Anthony's performance is lively and full of spunk. She maximizes Sahara's wit and captures her sarcastic outlook on life. Fans of young adult novels will find much to admire here, including an easy, enjoyable listening experience. Anthony is an experienced narrator who shows off her depth in this title. M.R. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-01-12
A queer Black college student alchemizes her rage into a mixed-media document exposing how her university has failed its Black community in this inventive debut novel.
In 2013, Sahara Kesandu Nwadike—her father is Nigerian and her mother African American—is a sophomore studying English in Chicago. Classes barely engage her (she dubs her intro to writing course “High School Revisited”); she feels she’s mostly there to form part of a “diversity showcase” and resents rich kids like her absentee roommate. The campus culture is one of pervasive microaggressions, with buildings named after eugenicists and the Black Student Coalition headed by white Ph.D. student “Lone Caucasian.” The book’s title refers to Black students who have dropped out, transferred, or died—including by suicide. Sahara looks set to join their ranks: She’s been drinking and cutting for years, and her substance abuse accelerates as she tries to impress a clubbing buddy. She personifies her depression as “Life Partner,” who perpetuates self-destructive behaviors such as disordered eating. Trying to rescue her from the brink are her Korean American best friend, “Ride or Die,” and her “constant crush,” Mariah. Chukwu is matter-of-fact about Sahara’s bisexual attractions and explores mental health and suicidal ideation with a sardonic but never flippant tone. The book's imaginative structure provides a lift: It takes the form of Sahara's honors thesis, inspired by her late Aunt Nita’s zine, organized into “Tracks” and filled with paper collages, chat threads, playlists, emails, and imagined dialogues. Sahara addresses the thesis committee directly, and her one-liners zing. The nicknames and party scenes grow somewhat wearisome; the plot doesn’t soar until a tragedy brought on by the university hospital’s negligence. Still, in energy this is reminiscent of Luster and Queenie.
Exciting in form; powerful in content.
