Book Review – Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst
Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst is an intelligent and insightful novel about twenty-something Mickey Hayward, a writer living in New York with her girlfriend Lex. Mickey is living the life she has always dreamed of, until her colleague takes her to one side and tells her that she will soon be out of a job. With everything she has worked for gone, Mickey is fed up with obstacles that she has to face because she is black, so she decides to write a letter that highlights the racism she has experienced. Mickey posts the letter on twitter, but it receives very little attention, her personal life is also strained, so she runs back to her hometown. Back in the heart of her family, Mickey falls easily into her old life and old relationships, keeping herself occupied with jobs around her grandparents house and catching up with childhood friends. But this routine is interrupted when a scandal within the company she used to work for brings her letter into the public eye, will Mickey’s voice finally be heard?
Homebodies is a coming of age story, with flashbacks to Mickey’s teenage years a common occurrence once she is back home. I enjoyed these passages, as they gave an insight into Mickey’s personality and the way she sees herself.
As well as a glorious story about growing up, Homebodies is also a story about the importance of representation. I also admire Denton-Hursts’ honest exploration of racism and how it is still embedded within organisations, like the one that Mickey works for.
There’s so much to love about this book, firstly Mickey is so well written, there are moments when she is not particularly likeable and I didn’t always agree with her opinions, but I was always rooting for her. Secondly I loved how well written the relationships between characters were, they were often tender and messy which gave them a real warmth. The relationship between Mickey and Grandma Anna was a favourite of mine.
Thank-you NetGalley and HQ for providing me with an ARC in exchange of an honest review. You can buy Homebodies here.