Mickey Hayward is a writer, and has felt that way for as long as she can remember. She has always wanted to write stories that matter, which is what led her to what seemed like her dream job with “Wave.” With a devoted girlfriend by her side, she finally feels like her life is falling into place. That is, until a coworker spills the beans that she is being replaced.
Hearing this sends Mickey into a tail-spin, and when the actual moment comes, she struggles to accept it, sitting on the couch for weeks.
Facing a breaking point after a fight and what feels like humiliation from her girlfriend, Mickey is inspired to write a detailed letter outlining the racism she’s endured as a Black woman in media. Yet, the letter doesn’t receive the praise she’s expecting — rather, it receives overwhelming silence.
Mickey is, again, unable to handle this and chooses to run back to her hometown, allowing her a moment away from her troubles.
Yet, when it is least expected, a media scandal brings her letter into the public eye. Everyone is desperate to hear what she has to say, forcing Mickey to consider what she truly is longing for.
Tembe Denton-Hurst is a staff writer at “New York Magazine’s” “The Strategist,” covering beauty, lifestyle and books. This is her debut novel.
This is a novel that is easy to fall into, easy to become consumed with. The interactions between characters are so well-written that it makes the reader feel like they are a part of the conversations. That they too can have an opinion on what Mickey’s next steps should be.
That being said, the overall style of writing is quite simple. It is, in my opinion, what can be traditionally found in debut novels. The writer, in this case Denton-Hurst, is trying to find their identity, their style. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I am enticed to see how her style evolves throughout future novels.
Mickey is a character that I instantly found myself resonating with, for more reasons than just her job and her love life. She strives to have her voice heard, to be the deeply compelling person that she knows herself to be.
It was also refreshing to read a book from a young Black woman’s perspective. There is so much that can be gleaned from someone else’s vantage point. Mickey is able to tell her story in such a way that begs the reader to give compassion and to try stepping into her shoes.
And yet, Mickey perceives all these attacks on herself that just feel so overwhelming small to me as a reader. She is such an insecure character, which drives all of the choices she makes. She is asking readers to understand where she is coming from, but is unable to extend that courtesy to any of the people in her own life.
For most of the novel, I just wanted to reach in and give her a shake, forcing her to see that these people you claim as friends are not true friends and you don’t need their validation. I truly wanted her to reflect during the time she spends at home, and to realize that so much of her circumstances are of her own making. Instead, she spends most of that time sneaking off with an ex-girlfriend and ignoring all her problems.
The other main source of frustration is that the majority of the novel is Mickey talking about her problems in her love life and the fact that she was fired. The most interesting portion felt like it only took up the last five pages of the novel.
Despite the frustrations, this is a novel everyone can gain some perspective on a variety of subjects, from how to handle losing your job or how to avoid problems in your love life.
Three out of five stars. Available at the Casey Memorial Library and major booksellers.