Zakiya Dalila Harris Always Knew the Ending for The Other Black Girl What do you think end up happening to Nella afterward? I loved when we found out Hazels locs were fake. Exactly. I wanted more tension, or maybe I wanted more overt tension. She works extremely hard and is very dilligent, breaking through her boss's icy exterior and spending extra time on 'diversity' initiatives at her work. The star figured prominently in the Dominion lawsuit. So much of this book isnt fiction; being a cis-white female afforded white-privilege, I dont presume to assume I even remotely know what it is like to live in the everyday reality of a person of color, but I believe this mirrors the unacceptable reality that people of color face every day in and out of the workplace. Unfortunately I could relate to the isolation, racial microaggressions, and frustration of being the only Black girl in an organization. throughout this book, I really wanted readers to question their own prejudices, their own kind of analysis of certain interactions. Despite her attempts to start conversations about racial bias in Diversity Town Halls, Nella doubts any meaningful change will occur. Without nuance, the novel could too easily be read as an exaggeration of reality, which reduces the urgency of issues it calls out. The . There can be shades of it. I knew for sure that there were going to be these two Black women in this very white workplace, and I knew there would be something wrong with one of them, Hazel that shed be off. The twist comes from the fact that viewers know it couldve been so much worse. I've always been behind the scenes and that's partly why I like being a writermy words can speak for themselves. The actress has announced that shell be watching from the couch this year. Its one of those comments where you're trying to seem like an ally, but you're also diminishing the facts. Many Black women see hair grease as this benign thing. "Im going to try my best to review without spoiling anything here, so Ill avoid discussing the actual plot. If you choose the second path, as a young Black woman, you'll own your identity, but you'll never sit in the corner office you'll cause too much friction along the way. The Other Black Girl: A Novel - amazon.com When did you suspect that something was off with Hazel? And honestly, it deserves. But she soon starts to suspect that Hazel is competitive with her. Zakiya Dalila Harris: It's funny. These books give us a record of our times via the moments best comic minds. "Its hard to believe its a debut.". Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer who is feeling pressed from all sides. We've been talking about plans if it were to go past one season. Reading guide for The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris The Other Black Girl: A Novel - amazon.com Also, I get it. Wagner surprises Nella by hiring another Black woman named Hazel-May McCall. There is a lot I had to cut. Not saying we should start prepping but we should start prepping. (Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen), (Image credit: Design By Morgan McMullen), Prince Harry Will Depart the U.K. Just Two Hours After Coronation Ceremony Ends, Reports Say, Blake Lively Reveals Shes Not Attending the 2023 Met Gala, #ReadWithMC Readers Loved The Unlikely Duo in 'The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise', Jo Piazza and Christine Pride Tackle the Complicated Topic of Motherhood in 'You Were Always Mine', 'Token Black Girl' Is Our October Book Club Pick, 25 Books by Latinx Authors You Should Read Immediately, 'Mika In Real Life' Is Our September Book Club Pick, Read an Excerpt From Sarah MacLean's 'Heartbreaker', A post shared by Suzy Lew (@suzylew_bookreview), A post shared by Tonja Wheatley (@booksnbikram), A post shared by Tina | TBR, etc. Things didnt really start making sense to me until about halfway through the book and there were a couple of times when I had to go back and reread to check dates and remind myself of who they were talking about. But the tide turns when Hazel becomes the office favorite and Nella starts receiving threatening notes urging her to leave Wagner immediately. Fox News' sudden firing of Tucker Carlson may have come down to one The most recent example: The Other Black Girl by first-time author Zakiya Dalila Harris, a former editorial assistant at Penguin Random House. Enter new employee Hazel, who is Black, self-possessed and savvy in a way Nella has always aspired to be. The negative reviews Ive seen of this book (most by white women, some by Black women) are [that it's a] let down because it wasnt the drama-filled, fast-paced story like the book referenced. Pre-Order These Highly-Anticipated 2021 Books, 25 Great New Memoirs to Add to Your TBR Pile. Nella is delighted to learn that the scent means Hazel-May McCall has been hired as a new editorial assistant. What are your thoughts about the epilogue? Skewering Workplace Racism in The Other Black Girl It was still early on in the querying stage, but it definitely got to me and made me worry. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Microaggressions and glass ceilings make her feel like she can not speak up. A lot of it is exaggeration. The Other Black Girl Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. We finally learn what is behind the curtain of the OGBs (other black girls). Atria Books They did a good job at making necessary tweaks. Was there any awkwardness with writing a book about racial bias within publishing as a former publishing professional? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Book Club Questions for Bella Cigna by Wendi Dass, Q&A with Liv Stratman, Author of Cheat Day, Book Club Questions for Leading Men by Christopher Castellani, Preview: The Third Hotel by Laura van den Berg, 10 Book Club Books to Read in Summer 2023, Book Club Questions for Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, Book Club Questions for The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes, Book Club Questions for Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, (Updated April 2023) Reeses Book Club Picks: Entire List, Book Club Questions for Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Book Club Questions for Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Effectively marketed as Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada, the story infuses bits of sci-fi and horror with razor-sharp commentary about trying to ascend the corporate ladder as a woman of color with a truly chilling ending. And then, the letters begin to appear'LEAVE WAGNER. Those lessons arent quick. Missed out on our June book club pick? It just made the most sense because I'm putting product in my hair almost every day. She shares her concerns about how the only black character was written. Definitely [reactions to] the ending. "She is so curious, she is really just genuinely excited. The Other Black Girlis a slow burner that is built around office politics, microaggressions in the workplace, and code-switching. I think pitching to agents was the nerve-wracking part. When she starts to get notes on her desk that say 'LEAVE WAGNER. I really wanted to get at those spaces of unspoken subtext and microaggressions. "FinishedThe Other Black Girlthis week and I thought it was gooooood. Part 2 opens with a flashback to the October 1983 release party for Diana Gordons novel Burning Heart. One of the most thought-provoking novels Ive read in quite some time. I worked to make sure that we understood her insecurities and how Hazel stirs them up about not being Black enough and about Nellas desire to be the next big Black editor. All rights reserved. The Other Black Girl' by Zakiya Dalila Harris Book Review | Marie Claire 17 Passionate Book Recommendations From Your Favorite Authors, Nine June Beach Reads That Are Like Summer in a Book, What to Read Next: The Best Books of 2020. You've received so much buzz. I had to go back to the print copy a few times to figure out some plot points I missed, but all in all this is a great debut." From being able to tell whos walking by from their footsteps to the impromptu conversations some people thrive on, I was taken right back into the office. Whereas diversity is not like that. What would you have done if you were Nella and received those notes? Plot Summary Nella Rogers is an editorial assistant at Wagner Publishing, one of the biggest and most prestigious publishers. I did get one response specifically that stands out. One day, this all changes when Hazel walks in. DBS MORNING SHOW & OBITUARIES 25TH APRIL 2023 APRIL 2023 - Facebook But certain qualities of the novel left me wondering if this over-marketing is simply a move to innocence. The only Black woman on the editing staff, Nella often feels alienated . Visit our corporate site. One day, Nella's nose twitches: She's detected the unmistakable scent of "her favorite brand of hair grease" in the air near her cubicle. Warning: This interview contains spoilers. Its was funny, mysterious, and there was serious social commentary. Someone mentioned to me recently, I thought this was going to be about two Black women being friends and having fun. Its like, Sorry, my bad. Here's what our book club members thought about Colleen Oakley's latest novel. I loved how the first thing Nella realized about Hazel was the smell of the Brown Buttah hair product. It was more for the reader, because I want them to think about who they think would have left it for her. I really wanted this book to live up to the hype but it wasn't at all what I expected it to be. That is, until Nella starts to receive threatening notes to leave Wagner and she realizes Hazel may not be who she seems. New York Magazine. Dressed as Karl Lagerfelds beloved cat, Choupette. And so that contrast really sets up a lot of interesting I'll just say interesting dynamics between them. Having conversations like this, talking with other Black readers about the book and their own Hazel experiences, their own hair experiences, and their own thoughts on the ending. ), has a great deal to say about what it means to be a woman in the workplace and how wrong it is to refer to women as "girls." I can relate to the hair aspect because I've been relaxing my hair since I was nine and I finally stopped in January. On Nella saying Hazel makes her feel redundant. Hazel also ruins Nellas credibility by defending Pins and Needles in a companywide marketing meeting. They play into respectability politics and code switch fluently. I thought there was so much good dialogue in this book, specifically the way that Harris wrote some of the conversations between Nella and her supposedly liberal white colleagues. I love Get Out. It was George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and COVID-19, obviously. The microaggressions are constant and exhausting and we can see the toll it takes on Nella. Initially the women bond over their shared Black experience. The irony should not be lost on anyone who has read or plans to read this novelthe very types of publishing houses that are targeted in the novel were fighting to bring Harris on as an author. 7th District AME Church: God First Holy Conference 2023 - Facebook Unable to stand by and watch Nellas conversion, Shani defies the Resistance and contacts Nella directly; however, the Resistance intercepts Shani before they can meet. That's a hard question. that put people in situations that seem really everyday and then get weirder and weirder and weirder. We got introduced to some new characters, and I was kind of confused and unsure where the story was going. Who did you think were sending those notes to Nella? Nella knows that her comfortable yet dull middle-class upbringing doesn't offer her the same advantages as Hazel's cushier background. If you prefer to read in print, you can also find this article in the June 7, 2021, issue of How much we have to dilute ourselves to 'play the game' in order to be successful. At the beginning I was like, I didn't do this to get a TV show. One month later, Diana receives a frantic call from someone who wants to do something about Kendra Raes bad press. The Other Black Girl traces the experiences of five Black women at Wagner Books from 1983 to 2018 to address subjects including systemic and internalized racism, Black female experiences, workplace privilege, and the role of media in racial representations. When Elle, battling depression, becomes . One of my favorites is from George A. Romeros Night of the Living Dead. Both films were written and directed by . For a lighter read, check out Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. I agree and I like when Nella is trying to explain that its a feeling. Do you think that the idea of not being able to put that feeling of racism into words is something Black readers will relate to? The two women become friends, and Nella vents about a book shes editing called Pins and Needles, which features a racist caricature of a Black woman. And throughout this book, I really wanted readers to question their own prejudices, their own kind of analysis of certain interactions. Then the notes begin to appear on Nellas desk: LEAVE WAGNER. The Other Black Girl is availablenow from Atria Books. All of those zany hijinks that you see in an office when you're close with other people like that. Visibly fatigued by the racist microaggressions of her white colleagues, Kendra Rae rehearses the comments she will voice in her infamous interview. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, shes thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. Her Black coworkers from other floors seem to favor Hazel, and Vera asks Hazel to assume Nellas usual tasks. The amount of time that we spend on our hair, the amount of money, the investment. Kendra Rae, who is in hiding at the Resistance headquarters, asks Shani to describe the contents of the jar and draws a connection between Smoothd Out, the substance that burned Kendra Raes scalp in the Prologue, and the method by which OBGs are converting Black women. Subscribe now Over the next seven days, amidst a steamy Brooklyn summer, Eva and Shane reconnectbut Evas wary of the man who broke her heart, and wants him out of the city so her life can return to normal. Lets discuss the micoaggressions she dealt with on a daily basis. Still, that didn't hinder the amount of praise Harris received for her ability to create an original and deeply relatable novel. This entirely unique genre-bender keeps the reader on its toes as you struggle to comprehend, along with Nella, the horrors. A lot of people were just not interested in talking about how we can help lower-level employees move up the ladder, how we can specifically help bring in more diverse voices. And the endthere's just so many places it could go if the story and the show were to [continue]. In these kinds of movies, usually at least one person survives. On what Nella faces every day at Wagner books. It's a big relief. Book Review: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris Privacy Policy and A passage toward the beginning of the book says diversity becomes an item people start checking off a list and nothing more, a shallow, shadowy thing with but one dimension. What are your thoughts on this? Then the unexpected happens as Hazel becomes elevated in the company and Nella is being pushed outbut by who?!! She is being offered opportunities that Nella has never been considered for even though shes worked at Wagner for over two years. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Being the only one means a lot of things for Nella. @suzylew_bookreview, A post shared by Suzy Lew (@suzylew_bookreview) (opens in new tab). I feel like I give different answers every single time. Part 3 reveals the ongoing struggle for power between OBGs and the Resistance. Someone who rejected what was expected of her as a Black woman in a predominantly white industry.'. I love hearing people talk about whether or not they saw it coming. Everything was happening. A whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace, The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist. The Other Black Girl review: Zakiya Dalila Harris's debut is a thrill For people to see my vision and have more to say about it afterward is incredible. Money was very, very, very tight before the book, even with my partner sharing the rent. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, its not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, its everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Manhattan. The book centers on 26-year-old Nella Rogers, an editorial assistant at the fictional publishing house Wagner Books, who's relieved when another Black woman, Hazel, finally starts working at the otherwise all-white company. The black child offers Albert the same ultimatum of giving her the soul and becoming Shiva or dying with his final moments and memories. By the time I was writing the first draft, I already knew that publishing wasnt for me. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. NOW. The Other Black Girl Delivers a Humorous but Unflinching Take on the Racist Microaggressions of Publishing By Larissa Irankunda Jan 14th, 2021, 10:20 am For Black women, tokenism is a very . It was just so much fun. Glamour: The story is so original. You can order the book on Amazon here. Or perhaps she will only become more human and feel the need to justify her existence with her contributions to the world. It's not a coincidence that the central conceit of the book has to do with hair, that longstanding preoccupation of the femme. Hazel dismisses Nellas concerns, gives her a jar of Smoothd Out hair grease as a peace offering, and invites her to a natural hair party. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. Another Girl - Rotten Tomatoes Released this month, the book follows two young. Zakiya Dalila Harris began writing The Other Black Girl while working as an assistant editor at Knopf Doubleday, and her textured observations of the overwhelmingly white world of publishing, and the insidious racism lurking therein, laid the groundwork for a tale that grows darker and more surreal as the narrative curls toward a shocking finale. 2023 Met Gala Carpet Is Approved by Your Dentist. What are their goals with it? It's honestly overwhelming. It highlights how in white spaces, Black women do not show up as their authentic selves. Shes fed up with the isolation and microaggressions in her day-to-day life, so shes thrilled when Harlem-born and cool-as-can-be Hazel starts working in the cubicle next to her. Review: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris - Oprah Daily Harris, who sold her manuscript while she still worked as an editorial assistant at the venerable Alfred A. Knopf, Publishers, in Manhattan (where else? Unaware of this scheme, Nella attends Hazels natural hair party with the intention of learning more about Hazels shady behavior. In the end, "girl" may be just as important as "Black." Nella is the only black person in an all-white environment. And then one morning, Nella looks through a small crack in a cubicle and sees what she calls "the flash of a brown hand. Paulina Jayne Isaac is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. I could see her as [other characters] Diana or Kendra Ray, especially Kendra Ray. Book Review: 'The Other Black Girl,' by Zakiya Dalila Harris - The New Nellas boss asks for her opinion on the latest book from the bestselling author Colin Franklin. I felt hopeless. Here, the author walks us through how she approached the ending and what it takes to write a great twist. When I first started, it made me feel so nostalgic about my time working in publishing. 'The Other Black Girl' In This New Thriller May Not Be Your Friend - NPR I have a few qualms that fettered my experience with the novel. And it sets people up who read it expecting that for failure. The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris: Summary and reviews Right, and it's not black-and-whiteits a gradient. Were you surprised she took it? All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, it soon becomes clear that Hazel is not focused on new friendships. Get Out also has an amazing twist, with his friend driving up in the cop car at the end. Was that a conscious choice of hers? The genius ofGet Outis that there is no good white person in the entire film. I think of it this way: When I go into small stores or really, any store, I always make sure my hands are out of my pockets. To give you an idea of just how buzzy The Other Black Girl is, consider this: There was a 14-way bidding war among publishing houses to land the book, leading to a reported seven-figure deal for Harris. One day, a new assistant starts, who is also black - Hazel. The Other Black Girl, by Zakiya Dalila Harris Looking well beyond issues of race,The Vanishing Halfconsiders the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a persons decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. And it was exhausting. Dayanara Diaz, once a sweet girl who liked drawing pictures of anime characters, has been thoroughly transformed by the end of Orange is the New Black. Nella escapes, but the following day at an important meeting, Nella realizes that Hazel has converted their guest of honor, a famous Black activist. Hes the only one left. But definitely planning to write another book and planning for it to be about Black characters in the U.S. Lastly, between the bidding war and a true taste of financial success, how does it feel to have a bit of a cushion? Urgent, propulsive, and sharp as a knife, The Other Black Girl is an electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing. Hazel recommends that Nella share her concerns with her boss, Vera Parini, and the author, Colin Franklin. NOW. The Other Black Girl (Atria) by Zakiya Dalila Harris debuted at #6 on The New York Times bestseller list in its first week on sale, and it's no wonder: The book is spot-on for our times.The novel drips with in-the-know wit, skewering "well-meaning" but clueless white book publishing executives while painting the day-to-day experience of BIPOC employees who have managed to penetrate the . *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. Now that she's undeniably been cursed with human feelings, there's no telling what's in store for Cherry. Freevees new series will determine whos the greatest reality-TV contestant across. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. (@smileitsjoy), A post shared by Ally | Fiction Editor (@calicoedit), A post shared by holly b | bookcooklook (@bookcooklook), A post shared by & (@lattesandpaperbacks), A post shared by Mimi N. (@turnpageswithmimi). I saw all of your beautiful posts and I copped it as soon as it came out without even reading the synopsis. Theres a lot to unpack in this book. Its smart, bold, and twistythe final twist made me audibly gasp. Doja Cat Becomes an Actual Cat for Met Gala. I thought this novel was amazing! Plus, it's a 352-page book whose plot starts to kick off at the last 32 pages." I enjoyed it when I started, but it beat me down. Hazel often distributes the hair grease to women without their consent. I could see KiKi Lane for both Nella and Hazel. @booksnailmail, A post shared by SP - bookstagram (@booksnailmail) (opens in new tab). When Hazel McCall joins the team, Nella is thrilled and eager for the friendship and comradery that will surely come with having 'the other Black girl' on staff. Todays biggest stories, from pop culture to politicsdelivered straight to your inbox. Instead, she strives for dominance in the workplace and seems to be edging Nella out and alienating her from her boss and her colleagues.