The Other Black Girl

Just - wow! I’ve seen so much hype on this online (excellent marketing and proof campaign) and was blown away by The Other Black Girl. I work in publishing and it was as if the author had dropped real-life work moments into the book. Honest, truthful, and looking at the really, very big problem in the industry, this book is essential reading. It’s the book we’ve been waiting for for a long time.

Wow! The hype is real when it comes to The Other Black Girl. This is a must-read for anyone who works in publishing - Harris exposes so much of what is wrong with the industry on every level, but with such style and flair, I was laughing out loud and rooting for Nella, even whilst my blood was boilng. This had me guessing until nearly the last page, which I reached very quickly because I could not put this book down. An excellent debut, I can't wait to read what Zakiya Dalila Harris writes next!

Wow, I absolutely loved reading this book. A very ambitious, fast paced, original and timely novel about being Black in a predominantly white environment: the book publishing industry. Up-and-coming editorial assistant Nella loves it when she finally gets a Black colleague, but why does it feel that she's adjusting better to the many quirks of the prestigious publishing house and its employees?

I expect a lot of aspects will resonate with people in the book trade as there is a lot to recognise - even for white people - and will hopefully also be a wake up call for many in charge. Harris is very successful in getting the details just right, whilst not letting the ambitious plot get away from her.
I had not expected this level of social consciousness in a novel that was also so well written. It reminded me of Such a Fun Age from Kiley Reid. I am confident there will be a lot of buzz around this book on its release next year.

Not only a must-read for book trade 'insiders', but for everyone who wants to read a captivating, engrossing novel about social justice.

Thank you Bloomsbury & NetGalley for the ARC.

This was everything it was hyped up to be and better, the writing was astounding and I ate it up in two sittings. This is definitely one to read for anybody in the industry, particularly those in more senior positions should like to read it - it might be the wake up call they need.

Will certainly be buying a physical copy and re-reading on publication!

Wow, I loved this book. The description ‘Get out meets Devil Meets Prada’ is spot on. Such a fresh feeling, with a real look at the publishing industry. The thriller style undertone of the book was chilling at times. I couldn’t recommend this highly enough! I will be buying a physical copy to reread!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advance copy to review.

A tense and compelling read. Nella, the only black girl in her publishing work place (who is not sorting mail or fixing computers), is thrilled when another black girl starts working at Wagner. That can only be a good thing, right? Then things take a sinister turn. Zakiya Dalila Harris writes brilliantly about being a Black person in a white environment, code switching, the trauma of racism and the need to put on a bright smile and get on at work. She does this in a satirical thriller that kept me awake and anxious to the very end.

Wow. This blew me away. I know it was described as a mix between The Devil Wears Prada and Get Out which is super accurate. I just couldn’t put it down, I had to know what was going to happen next which is the sign of a great book. I thought the writing was fabulous and so descriptive. I just wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed because I really needed more detail of what happened to all of the characters!

Genuinely couldn't put this down. Still reeling slightly from the ending! This was a brilliantly crafted and readable thriller about identity, workplace politics and being Black in the overwhelmingly white publishing industry.

I’ve been looking forward to reading The Other Black Girl for months. It’s been all over social media and it was on my own can’t-wait-to-read-in-2021 list, so I nearly died of excitement when I got approved for it on NetGalley. It lived up to the hype. It was very topical: a searing, honest look into the issues within the publishing industry. It was also an incredibly unique thriller with a sinister spin on its social commentary.

Zakiya Dalila Harris' candidly illustrated Nella’s experience of being a Black woman in the very white publishing industry. Both the overarching issues and the details were perfectly executed. The book demonstrated just how difficult it can be for Black employees to voice issues with racism in the workplace for fear of how it might affect their careers. How can a company claim to promote diversity if their Black and marginalised employees face backlash for speaking out? It’s easy to see how someone starting their career might feel they have to stay silent.

The Other Black Girl explored some very relevant themes while pulling the reader through its dark plot at the speed of light. There were so many twists and turns; I stayed up reading late into the night. Without giving too much away, the ending was a shock. This book is going to provoke even more much-needed discussion after its release, and I can’t wait for it!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the ARC!

This is an astounding debut. It has been billed as The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out although I think it may be better than both. Zakiya Dalila Harris deftly weaves themes of white supremacy, black erasure and racism with office politics and the ruthless competition of New York publishing, A powerful and gripping story mesmerisingly told. A fresh, bold, uncompromising voice. I can't wait for her next book.

The other black girl was a brilliant unusual read. Nella works for a huge publishing company where she has been trying to rally for a more diverse workforce, and then Hazel starts work there. What should have been two women looking out for each other suddenly turns into Nella having to fight to keep her job while dealing with notes telling her to leave the company.

The book brings to the forefront the kind of racism which exists in the workplace and the white privilege which is everywhere. The first half of the book is about Nella and the mystery of the notes and new girl Hazel. Is Hazel sending them and undermining Nella at work? In the second half of the book you begin to understand what has been going on, and let me tell you I was not expecting it! What an original idea, I loved it! I can’t wait for Zakiya’s next book.

A hilarious, satirical novel that allows the reader to fully immerse themselves into the murky world of publishing. Zakiya Dalila Harris' writing is fluid, biting, and kept me hooked throughout. I would definitely recommend.

Really compelling book: the description of corporate life, rivalries, the tickbox 'diversity initiatives' that really are nothing of the sort. Very sharply observed, very witty. I think describing this book as The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out is not really doing it any favours: it is neither a comedy nor is it a thriller. In fact, the conspiracy and suspense elements of it were the least successful or necessary to my mind. I'd quite happily have settled for a less 'surreal' explanation of things. But I really enjoyed the characters, the dialogue, the social critique.

*I will post this on my blog a week before publication date*

I was super excited to read The Other Black Girl after attending a Bloomsbury Night In with talks from a variety of authors, so when I was approved for this on NetGalley I started to read straight away.

The Other Black Girl follows Nella - the only person of colour working at a publishing firm. After many attempts to bring diversity into the workplace, she is excited to find out another black woman got a job there. And then she gets the note... LEAVE WAGNER. NOW. What follows is a series of twists and turns as we find out who is on her side, and who is not.

The book is described as The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out, and that is the most accurate description I can think of. Whilst the book touches on serious topics such as diversity in the workplace, it also has a shocking twist that left me stunned.

I really enjoyed reading this, I would absolutely love to see it as a film and thanks to Harris's descriptive prose, could vividly imagine the characters and settings. I really recommend this to anybody who loves a suspense/thriller such as myself, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for an advanced readers copy of this in return for an honest review.

I did not see this coming! The Other Black Girl really surprised me - the shock of the ending as a response to the racism experienced really angered and convicted me. The experience of reading this book will be a powerful tool to open the eyes of white readers. I couldn't believe the ending but this made me question myself as a white woman, and showed me the exhaustion it can be navigating the every day as a black woman in a white industry. Why wouldn't you fight? Because it is so tiring. This really clearly showed me the pressure and prevalence of white supremacy and that if anything is to change we all need to listen and learn, and then step forward to help change the systems around us - those with the privilege need to step forward and shoulder much of the exhaustion in the fight to end what benefits us.

Ok I admit with this one I was drawn in by its clever cover and I didn’t expect it to hit so hard. I was expecting a story about the very white publishing industry (which I got) but I wasn’t expecting mystery and suspense! A very nice surprise. it starts off a bit slow but gets a lot better a third of the way in. obviously racism and micro-aggressions in the workplace and diversity in publishing are subjects that need to be spoken about more and I think the mystery element was a very clever way of drawing attention to the complex position that the black people who have been successful in breaking into these kind of industries are put in. the shallowness of corporate diversity mixing with a little bit of sci-fi - I think this was a great debut. i feel like it’s not at all my place to try and weigh in on what I thought the author was trying to get across - but it was sharp and offered a lot of insight into the pressure of losing yourself and playing by someone else’s rules to succeed when success is so off limit.

This was absolutely brilliant, I couldn't put it down. The way the author wrote about the world of publishing from a junior perspective was accurate but then to add the additional nuances of what that means for a person of colour gave the story even more depth. It felt like an expose of the inner sanctum of publishing crossed with Get Out and I thought it was fantastic.

This novel reminded me of the early version of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and in a good way. I found the setting interesting, the characters deep and, for me, an understanding of the struggles a black woman can have when trying to make it in an industry that seems not known for its diversity. I found myself having to google some terms and then chuckling to myself as the narrator mentions how white people don't know about the issue black women have with their hair - an interesting start to the novel. Then, around the 60-70% mark the dynamic changes, with a turn for the worst for our protagonists. Definitely a good read, with a few genres mashed together but, ultimately, 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' clinched it for me. Recommended.

Without doubt, this is my book of 2021 so far. The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out as Nella, the only black woman working for white-dominated publisher Wagner Books, struggles to maintain her place when another black woman joins the team.

Hoping they might be allies, Nella soon suspects that Hazel might not have her best interests at heart. Hazel starts making the kind of waves within a short month that Nella herself has struggled to achieve in her two years with the company, causing a range of emotions to surface: envy, insecurity, frustration, confusion. Nella always thought that black girls would have each other’s backs...

The writing is superb and creates a compelling and tense tale with a twist that’s as ingenious as it is sinister. READ THIS BOOK!

Amazing!!! I absolutely loved reading The Other Black Girl and couldn't put it down. Nella is such a well written, real character. I felt as though I were completely on this journey with her, and so many parts of the book made me gasp as they were so true to life. The book manages to portray an authentic look at how existing as a minority in an industry that is dominated by white faces can affect the very core of your being, whilst still creating mystery and anticipation. Fabulous!

Original take on racial diversity and office/publishing house drama, comedy and thriller at the same time, definitely unexpected! Great debut novel, looking forward to reading more from this author.

This book hooks you in from page 1 and does not let you go. I had to put it down three times in total in the less than 48 hours it took me to finish it: one because my iPad dared to die on me while reading, the other two because my body had the audacity to require some sleep. Both mornings I woke up and my first thought was "ok, coffee, and then we keep reading".

Honestly, if it doesn't get shortlisted in next year's Booker Prize or Women's Prize, something is wrong. The hype surrounding Harris' debut is absolutely well-deserved, this is an amazing thriller that throws a series of plot twists at you (including the final one) and at the same time an open critique to the too-white world of publishing (which could have been the too-white world of entertainment, or the too-white world of finance). Nella has been an excellent guide in this too-white environment while she was discovering it herself. Malaika an excellent helper. And, despite everything, Hazel was the perfect antagonist: we all felt envy mixed up with guilt because we're all supposed to support each other towards another woman, even more so if this other woman is the only other black girl.

There is just one detail that bothered me ever so slightly: Igor, who is he? For a character that gets mentioned around 6 times throughout the novel, I'd like to know a bit more other than that he is a fitness guru and Malaika's boss. There are some references that seem to go back to something we may be supposed to know, but not very explicit. He just doesn't seem worthy of mention to me.

Other than that, the novel is smart, well written, gripping, a page-turner (I absolutely hate the term, but it's very necessary in this case) and I personally cannot wait for some more Harris on my way.

I was given an e-arc by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book deserves the hype it has received, because it is AMAZING. It is funny, insightful, thrilling, and relatable (as a BIPOC but not Black reader). The writing itself is very clever, and I appreciated the little Chekhov's guns throughout.

Can't wait for this to be published so I can recommend to everyone I know.

The Other Black Girl tells the story of Nella, the only black girl at a prestigious NYC publisher, longing for a day this will change. When Hazel gets recruited as a new assistant, Nella gets what she wants but soon she realises that you have to be careful what you wish for, and that Hazel might not be the ally she thought.

Bold, funny, thought-provoking with dark "Get Out" undertones, The Other Black Girl offers a different look at diversity and what it means to belong. I can't wait to see what Zakiya Dalila Harris writes next!

Well, I REALLY enjoyed this book. I spent two nights up until 2am reading it because I just couldn't put it down. What a triumph for a debut novel.

Not only does the book give insights into being the only POC in a work-environment, it has a mindfuck of a twist that keeps you on the edge of your toes. About a third of a way through, you start to feel the tension of something being off, and this tension never leaves. It's what keeps you gripped to reading frantically at 2am trying to figure out what the real story is.

There were a few nitpicky things in it; some areas that were poorly edited, some repetitive scenes, not massively developed characters etc. However, it didn't take away from the novel in any way, in my opinion.

I have heard a lot about this book, so going in I had high expectations, and I must admit I wasn't disappointed upon reading it. It's clever and so fantastically different, I raced through it in one weekend.

Thanks to Netgallery for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I had high hopes for this book after hearing about it, especially because I work in publishing myself, but it surpassed my expectations. Whip-smart, chilling and unique. I loved every page. Thank you for the ARC. I will be recommending this to everyone!

I have adored reading The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris as a #buddyread with my colleague.
We have had a lot of fun discussing the characters, plot developments and the ending of TOBG over many messages this week.
This book has been described as a thriller and I can understand this description as there is a definite feeling of suspense as you progress through the book. Less a whodunit more a whatsgoingon?
I really felt for Nella who, as the only black girl working in a major publishing house, is regularly dealing with microagressions and challenging behaviour. When Hazel joins Wagner Books, Nella feels she finally has an ally to work with but...well looking at the title of the book you start to wonder...
It was interesting reading the development of the relationship between these two characters and something my colleague and I discussed. We tried to guess in which direction the book was going to take, with not much success! I was happily pulled along by the plot enjoying Nellas discussions with her best friend and her boyfriend as well as trying to deal with the weird notes left at work and trying to work out how to deal with the changing office politics.
During our buddy read, we talked about how books and films are marketed and hype surrounding new releases. Personally, I am quite happy to start reading a book that I know next to nothing about, I quite often end up reading outside of my comfort zone that way and end up learning a few things. For instance I now know a lot more about black hair than I ever did before. I thought TOBG was cleverly written and with a unique premis that I totally bought into.
I would say that this is one of my favourite reads of the year so far and definitely one that I'll recommend to my customers as a bookseller.

A story about a Black girl working in one of the biggest publishing houses in the world combined with a thriller side to it? The Other Black Girl took discussions around race in a predominantly White and Eurocentric industry to a whole other level.

Nella Rogers is fed up with working at Wagner Books as their only Black employee, so when Harlem-born Hazel starts working with her, she's beside herself with joy sharing experiences of racial microaggressions and natural hair care. Soon after, Nella begins to receive mysterious and disturbing notes warning her to leave publishing while Hazel swiftly builds a rapport in the office climbing her way up the career ladder at Wagner.

I thought this would be a story of betrayal, but it went beyond my expectations with its spectacular twist. I was blown away, not least for its timely social commentary but that its intersection of subliminal White supremacy with a thriller bordering on sci-fi was intense and impressive. Everything in the novel was well fleshed-out and I felt like I was walking In Nella's shoes.

It took a little too long for the climax and big reveal to kick in but as the book ends on a cliffhanger, I'm hoping that there will be a sequel. Both fans of thrillers and those who study Critical Race Theory will likely enjoy this!

Wow, there is so much to unpack from this book. On the surface you think it’s going to be a black girls experience in a predominantly white working environment, but what’s to come is so much more. It mainly follows the thoughts of Nella working in a cut throat publishing company, with chapters around some other characters which you’ll come to know as the story progresses. Nella tries to introduce more diversity in her workspace but no one really takes her on, or shows any interests, and so she settles with what she has. BUT! That is all about to change, once there is another black girl that joins the company.

There is so much suspense and mystery, a story that I thought would be ~alright~ turned out to be very exciting and I just could not put it down. But more so, it explores the black experience in office spaces so well. The author spends a lot of time describing the office politics and micro aggressions, which I loved as no detail was skimmed over, allowing you to fully become Nella and let her thoughts consume you. As well as being a good read, I found it very educational and took a lot from it.

The only negative I would have is that I felt like I was in the dark for a good part of the book, but it allowed me to have a big A-HA! moment when it all unraveled, which is priceless. I thoroughly loved this book, it took me by surprise and a story that will stay with me, much like Get Out and Devils Wears Prada - which this book is compared to. Can’t wait to read more of Zakiya’s work if this is how good her debut is!

Thank you @netgalley and @bloomsburypublishing for allowing me to read this ahead of it’s release on June 1st 2021!

Avoid entering into reading the stunning and chilling 'The Other Black Girl' by Zakiya Dalila Harris with any preconceptions. It defies definition as any particular genre - is it an office drama? Thriller? Horror? In reality, a warped and mind-bending mix of the three. It is challenging and difficult to process for all the right reasons.

Nella has worked at Wagner publishing for two years, the only black assistant navigating a space dominated by white people. She is hopeful for her future, even if the possibility of a promotion to editor still feels ever elusive. When Hazel-May joins Wagner, Nella is grateful to have another black employee as an ally, particularly in opposing the racist stereotypes which are featured in the new book of one of the company's bestselling authors. Why then does Nella feel more alone in her struggles than ever before and is suddenly receiving aggressive notes telling her to 'Leave Wagner. Now.'

This book is a slow-burn examination of what it is like to work as a black employee in an office environment steeped in white supremacy. Nella's attempts to unpick and challenge the racist viewpoints of her colleagues are met with disdain, acting as a scathing indictment of the publishing industry, and white dominated office spaces in general. Some readers may complain the plot is slow-moving but the insight into microaggressions, tokenistic attempts to launch 'diversity townhalls' and the overarching mystery of the missing black editor, Kendra Rae Phillips, the discomfort is layered, culminating in a sinister conclusion beyond anything I expected.

With 'The Other Black Girl', Harris has created something uncomfortable, terrifying and timely. Readers will be divided and struggle with this one, highlighting why it is such an important read. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This spectacular debut was extremely thrilling. It had me on edge from the first page to the last. I wasn’t sure who or what to trust which is exactly what you want in a thriller. The writing flows seamlessly making it easy to lose yourself within its pages for hours at a time. And while there are a lot of POVs which I normally find jarring, I found that this structure only added to the tension, constantly making you wonder what’s going to happen next, why and to whom.

In addition to being a tense workplace thriller, The Other Black Girl presents an interesting perspective on race and white privilege within the publishing industry (which is still very much white dominated) and workplaces in general.

Nella is a fantastic character – strong willed and determined, even when her instincts tell her that she’s in danger. I warmed to her quickly and really enjoyed her development over the course of the story.

I was really interested in Kendra’s storyline so I would have liked to see more of her POV and backstory. Likewise, Lynn was a major character who was almost always off-page so I would have liked to see more from her perspective too.

Overall, this is a gripping thriller that I suspect will be a huge hit this summer.

Incredible book tackling the whiteness and lack of diversity in Manhattan publishing - compared to The Devil Wears Prada and I completely agree! Incredible writing

Absolutely love this book. This is going to be one of the best books of the year. Timely insightful and scary, I highly recommend it.

This is a really good and thought provoking read. It is a real slow burner of a story that takes time to build up the plot and characters. It really is one of those books that you have to read to the end so you can truly appreciate how clever it is and in many ways how chilling it is! It is a story that needs to be absorbed slowly to have its full impact. I’m going to be thinking about this book for sometime to come.

This book has been described as “Get Out” meets “The Devil Wears Prada” and whilst ordinarily I’m not a big fan of putting high expectations on books this one absolutely lives up to that description. The eery tension builds throughout the book and it feels like the more that gets revealed the less we really know who to trust.

Whilst obviously this is a book that has a lot of parts that will be most relatable to Black people I didn’t feel like it was at the exclusion of everyone else. I can certainly relate to the feeling of whether to compromise your principles for the sake of fitting in or getting ahead.

I found Nella to be a really interesting character. She’s almost stuck between these two worlds with her extremely white workplace and her feeling that her reasonably comfortable upbringing makes her somehow “less Black” and leaves her unable to truly fit in either world. She talks about being called an “Oreo” by other Black people having attended a predominantly white college.

Harris’ writing had a nice flow to it and I enjoyed the different viewpoints so we could see more of what was going on beyond what was Nella was experiencing. The growing tension kept me fully gripped and the second half in particular I blasted through pretty quickly.

My only complaints would be that sometimes the time jumps felt a little clunky, sections were labelled with the date but I couldn’t always remember what the date was of the last section so for me I prefer the passage of time to be shown within the plot. I also felt that some of the more secondary characters could have done with a little more fleshing out, Nella’s boyfriend, Owen, and best friend, Malaika, most notably.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more books by Harris. Without spoiling anything I did feel the ending was open to a possible sequel and would absolutely love to read that!

Honestly, if it doesn't get shortlisted in next year's Booker Prize or Women's Prize, something is wrong. This is the type of book which grabs the reader's attention from the very early chapters. I was hooked on the book from chapter 3 and was unable to put the book down... I have read my fair share of thrillers but this will be on my recommended list for a long time.

The original blurb for “The Other Black Girl”, the debut novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris described it as Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada, and this is one of the reasons that piqued my interest. The yellow cover with two broken teeth on an Afro pick was the other reason I thought this book would be an interesting read. I have to say the book did not disappoint at all.

Despite micro aggressions, white privilege, office politics and racism and diversity in the workplace being central themes, the book was laugh out loud in places. It was also relatable for me as I have often been the only Black person in white spaces. The excitement conveyed when you see someone who looks like you entering your workplace hoping and praying that they will give you the nod, and being disappointed when they don’t acknowledge you was so well explained here.

I believe, non Black people would also enjoy reading the book, as the writing is clever and thought-provoking. It will also make people rethink their own behaviour and prejudices without being preachy.

Set in the world of publishing, the book is not only funny but also a thriller, and possibly science fiction. As the reader you are rooting for Nella (the protagonist) and become more and more suspicious of the Other Black Girl, Hazel. The narrative style also introduces other characters who you’re not quite sure how they fit into Nella’s world but the twist brings everything together.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else Harris writes, and due to the originality of the story, as well as it not being a stereotypical Black book I hope her work is recognised in forthcoming book awards.

***Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

The Other Black Girl is both a thought-provoking and enthralling thriller about an African-American woman navigating a nearly all-white workplace inspired in part by the author’s similar experience in the New York City publishing world. Young, ambitious and hard-working editorial assistant Nella Rogers has now worked for prestigious publishing imprint Wagner Books in New York City for two years and has been the only black person present for the extent of her tenure so far. Depending on her mood she has a few different feelings about it but one thing she always feels is like an outsider. So when a seemingly fashion-conscious black girl appears on her floor, she is excited and glad to finally have an ally, someone she can relate to and someone who understand the adversity she feels. Hazel-May McCall is Wagner’s newest editorial assistant and the calm and assured woman becomes a friend to Nella. Initially, they share stories and get along swimmingly, even discussing the mostly-ignored racial politics in the office, but it isn't to last. Nella continues to struggle when she gets mistaken for Helen-May ”the other black girl” as if their only trait was the colour of their skin and she suffers through a reading of a bestselling white author’s manuscript with a black character who is one-dimensional and more of a stereotype than a real person but her criticisms fall on deaf ears. Hazel’s introduction is presumably a nod to the need for the firm to be inclusive and an attempt from the all-white higher-ups to show they treat everyone as equals; the ”Diversity Town Halls” scheme claims to tackle racism head-on but does nothing of the sort. A short time later, Nella begins to receive anonymous notes with one reading: “Leave Wagner. Now”.

She soon realises that there's something not quite right about Hazel. Her superiors treat her as one of them, something they have never done with Nella in the whole time she's been employed there. She seems to be adored and praised by those higher up in the company and she posits that the reason may be because Harlem-born Hazel fits perfectly with their stereotype of a black person; for starters, she was born to parents who were ardent civil rights activists. Who is writing these notes and for what purpose? Is it Hazel? Nella begins a deep dive to search for answers and uncovers a dangerous conspiracy more ubiquitous than she could've ever known. This is a riveting genre-bending psychological thriller crossed with a social satire and with touches of horror, magical realism and sci-fi where micro-aggressions and gaslighting turn the ‘civilised’ atmosphere of a publishing company into a slowly unravelling horror. It is about race, though I think anyone who has worked in a corporation will find themselves identifying with the narrator’s questioning of her colleagues’ authenticity and her own self-belief. It’s uncategorisable, but most importantly it’s a funny and pointed takedown of a self-proclaimed progressive culture that is also a page-turner. It's nuanced, with characters who are so skilfully painted and full of life they leap forth off the pages and the dark humour adds a little lightness to a bleak topic. Sharp and full of insights about race, class and gender, this gripping, twisty read will keep you on your toes until the end. This is a totally fresh and intelligent take on the thriller genre which also has plenty to say on a burning issue of our time. Highly recommended.

Wow what a book! Almost a satirical expose centred on the publishing industry, this is a no holds barred exploration of identity, competitive environments, experiences as a black woman in the workplace, privilege, and race. It is better that readers go into this book not knowing too much about the plot, as personally I think that will spoil the enjoyment and understanding of it.

With so many complex themes interwoven, it would be easy for the story to become lost, but I really feel the author has handled this well in The Other Black Girl.

It is badged as The Devil Wears Prada meets Get Out and when we first meet twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers, you might be fooled into thinking it is just about office dynamics at publishing house Wagner Books. Nella is the only black person working at Wagner and is excited when she sees another black girl has joined the company – Hazel. Suffice to say this excitement is short lived. When Nella later receives a mysterious note with the words “LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.” the Get Out element really starts coming into play and we move from contemporary fiction into the psychological thriller realm, supported by the stories of Shani, Kendra Rae and Diana.
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Nella is a solidly crafted character and I think many women will be able to relate to her experiences. I found there were points where I really understood her actions, and others where I was frustrated by her decisions – when she lets her guard down or doesn’t assert herself enough but I think that makes her all the more realistic, and it keeps you fully invested in her journey and world. I particularly enjoyed the dramatic irony of Nella’s partner Owen ensuring he was not “The Dumb Fool” by checking she wasn’t putting herself in harm’s way, when in fact Nella would in fact herself later become “The Dumb Fool” whilst we the reader frantically begged her to open her eyes.

The structure really allows the story to slowly unfold. It is told in four parts but with multiperspective elements and shifts in time, which serve to flesh out the more complex elements of the plot – particularly towards the climax of the story where you might find yourself a bit hazy, shocked and wondering what is really going on. With so much happening, I think it’s paced nicely as anything else would not have allowed enough time for explanation.

Knowing that Zakiyah Dalila Harris has put “really large chunks” of her own lived experience into the book really enhanced my reading of it. It is accessible to readers of all backgrounds but as a black woman there were many elements of it that particularly resonated with me. I think for example that the focus on and significance of hair in the story will really land with readers in different ways.

For me the overriding emotion whilst reading was just this deep sense of unease, which completely drew me in. Dark, deep, terrifying, and then some, I would say this is a psychological thriller but in a refreshing and unexpected way, as I don’t think I have read anything else like it. From the acknowledgments I see it is already being adapted for TV and think it will translate brilliantly on screen.

Can’t wait for more books from this author! Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for my ARC.

The Other Black Girl is one of the most original novels I’ve read for a while.. Nella works for an highly prestigious publishing house in New York, as their only black employee she constantly finds herself fighting prejudice and struggles to fit in. She is delighted when Hazel arrives, they quickly bond and she feels that the tide of discrimination is turning in her workplace. Events quickly take a sinister turn, Hazel seems to assimilate so quickly and Nella feels she is being pushed to the side - then the anonymous notes telling her to get out start arriving...
The Other Black Girl is an excellent, thrilling and brilliantly written novel. It also provided me with a fascinating education into Black politics, life (and hair products) in America.
Thank you to #netgalley and #bloomsburybooks for allowing me to review this ARC

This is a mind-blowing novel that does not fit neatly into a genre, nor does it make for easy reading --though it is completely gripping. It’s a thriller with a dose of horror – and also an exposé as it blows open the ‘whiteness’ of the publishing industry while also exploring the complexities of the Black experience and race politics in publishing and elsewhere. It is even more powerful given Harris’ explanation in the acknowledgements that ‘large chunks’ of her own experiences are ‘woven throughout’ the book.

Nella Rogers works as an editorial assistant at Wagner Books, and she is the only Black person employed in a professional position. She is ambitious and principled as she faces daily micro-aggressions, tokenistic ‘diversity training’ and powerful authors and editors who are uninterested in understanding their own biases. Then Hazel-May McCall, another Black girl, is hired; initially Nella is thrilled as there is finally someone who will understand the nuances of Nella’s experiences on a daily basis – but Hazel acts differently around her white employers, and seems to have doors opened for her. When anonymous threatening notes begin to arrive on her desk, Nella feels vulnerable and suspicious.

The story is largely told from Nella’s perspective though there are several other characters whose inner monologues and experiences are shared, adding to the mystery element of the novel; I found myself waking up in the middle of the night trying to fit different pieces of the puzzle together – a sure-fire sign of a well-plotted book. It is also beautifully written; while I read it the first time for plot, I feel I need to go back again and read it again, savouring the evocative details and the rich language. Hair was a motif throughout the book, and I found it fascinating: Harris rightly decided to use hair-linked lingo that white people like me may not understand, but I sure do want to find out more – and I am now hankering for the delicious smell of cocoa butter.

To sum up: a clever, provocative novel that may leave you feeling uncomfortable, and a great read that will leave you hungry to hear more from debut author Zakiya Dalila Harris.

An electric debut novel that will keep readers hanging on every page. I was immediately drawn to Nella's story and quickly became emotionally invested in every twist and turn. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Absolutely loved it!
So funny, so dark, so enjoyable, so disturbing.
This book is fresh and hooky and important.
I'm just sad I've finished. Write the next one fast please, Zakiya!