In Every Mirror She's Black: A Novel

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Brittany’s story was one that drew me in, big-time. So many of us can relate to the pull of privilege and the alluring unknown. Coming with her on the journey as she entered the world of yachts, waterfront villas, and personal assistants was positively exhilarating. Her ultimate dilemma of what to do once essentially trapped inside Jonny’s riches was downright haunting.

I think she wanted to do something new and different, she was young and had no reason not to. If I had been in her position I would have wanted to do the same thing too. - gaylamath A chance meeting with Jonny in business class en route to the U.S. propels former model-turned-flight-attendant Brittany-Rae Johnson into a life of wealth, luxury, and privilege—a life she’s not sure she wants—as the object of his unhealthy obsession. Throughout the novel, Muna develops many short-lived relationships, with the longest being her uncomfortable acquaintance with Yagiz. Why do you think these relationships are transient, and what do you think the author is trying to convey in her relationship with Yagiz?Johnny: I understand the author's attempt to make Johnny a complex character. However, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable with how his autism was used in the story. It's not that a character on the spectrum can't do bad things or be a bad person; anyone and everyone is capable of harming others. But something about it left a bad taste in my mouth. I wish I could explain better what rubbed me the wrong way. For the side characters; well introduced and developed I’d give her that. I did feel bad for Ahmed’s end; a sad side story. Guinhild was a balm to my wounds for Muna Kemi’s relationship with Ragnar is unhealthy almost from the start. What does her final interaction with him show about her own growth and what she’s learned about herself in Sweden? I'm conflicted because on the one hand, I liked the writing and the themes explored in the novel (fetishization, racism, tokenism, microagressions, immigration, etc) but on the other hand, I was bothered by the unbalanced narratives and daft character choices.

A book begging to be read on the beach, with the sun warming the sand and salt in the air: pure escapism. I read it religiously over the course of a single Sunday, delighting in how it effortlessly weaves a rich tapestry of intersecting issues without every sacrifice good ol’ plot-driven storytelling. Kemi; I find it very difficult to understand why someone portrayed as intelligent could not outright figure out that she was only employed for her skin colour and that her added qualifications were just for show. Why did she keep questioning their real intentions. Sometimes she stood up for herself; yes I liked those few instances she displayed “I won’t take rubbish “ but I didn’t like it that it took finding a man to make her take a clean break. I did not like how she treated Brittany. It was judgemental to say the least. And refugee Muna Saheed, who lost her entire family, finds a job cleaning the toilets at Jonny's office as she works to establish her residency in Sweden and, more importantly, seeks connection and a place she can call home.Outfit choices and fashion become pivotal in Mirror, as they are so linked in the story to identity, culture, and body image. I was particularly moved by the description of how a bold dress that made Kemi feel powerful was seen as jarring and over-the-top to her Swedish colleagues.