“Girl, Woman, Other”: Special Book About Black Women in Today’s Britain
I met the author in person a few weeks ago
Back in 2020, I read “Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo. It was one of the most talked-about books, having won Booker Prize in 2019.
Back then, it took me some time to get used to Evaristo’s unique writing style, but once I did, it became a very memorable and special read.
The book tells the stories of 12 women and has a unique pattern, reflecting its title:
- Four chapters centered on “ girl”
- Four chapters on “woman” (mostly the girl’s mother or grandmother)
- Four chapters on “other” (a friend or other connection).
I once read that a book is successful when you recognize your own thoughts within it — and that’s exactly what “Girl, Woman, Other” achieves.
The stories are told by black British women, and the book explores Black history in Britain, the country’s colonial past, social mobility, and so much more. It is about women’s daily struggles, feminism and intersectionality, generational and cultural gaps, and how social and economic background can define you forever (though not always).
I read “Girl, Woman, Other” before I moved to the UK. Recently, I briefly revisited it after relocating here and attending a lecture with Bernardine Evaristo in Edinburgh. I have to say, these experiences gave me a whole new perspective on this book:
Many concepts in the book became more relatable to me, as they reflect day-to-day life in this country. Also, since Bernardine’s lecture followed her life story, I could more clearly see her personal experiences reflected in “Girl, Woman, Other”.
I now want to read Bernardine’s memoir “Manifesto: On Never Giving Up” and watch the BBC show based on her novel “Mr Loverman”.
I don’t post book reviews without a beer recommendation. Books and beers — that’s what I do.
Today’s beer is a recent favorite: Chimera Belgian pale by the Scottish brewery Otherworld.
I’ve been trying a lot of Scottish beers this year since moving to Scotland, and this one has definitely been a highlight.
