The List
Ratings14
Average rating2.9
15
Ratings14
Average rating2.9
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK! Recommended by The New York Times • Vogue • People • NPR • Vulture • The Guardian • Cosmopolitan • Rolling Stone • Publishers Weekly • The Sunday Times • and many more! In this sensational, page-turning debut novel, a high-profile female journalist’s world is upended when her fiancé’s name turns up in a viral social media post—a nuanced, daring, and timely exploration of the real-world impact of online life, from award-winning journalist and internationally bestselling author Yomi Adegoke. “Brilliantly written, intricately plotted and incredibly clever. Once I started, I could not put it down, and I am sure I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.” — Abi Daré, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice Ola Olajide, a celebrated journalist at Womxxxn magazine, is set to marry the love of her life. Young, beautiful, and successful, she and her fiancé, Michael, are considered the “couple goals” of their social network and seem to have it all. That is, until one morning when they both wake up to the same message: “Oh my god, have you seen The List?” It began as a list of anonymous allegations about abusive men. Now it has been published online. Ola would usually be the first to support such a list—she'd call for the men to be fired, write article after article. Except this time, Michael's name is on it. With one month to the wedding, Ola gives Michael an ultimatum: prove his innocence or the wedding's off. But will the truth of what happened change everything for them both? Compulsively readable, wildly entertaining, and filled with sharp social insight, The List is a piercing and dazzlingly clear-sighted debut about secrets, lies, and the internet. “Topical, heartfelt, provocative and wise, Yomi Adegoke’s characters are tenderly realized . . . the entire cast of this ultimate millennial novel springs vividly to life.” — Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other “The List asks ‘what if?’ and the answers will surely get people thinking. A vibrantly told exploration of the messy interface between virtual and offline relationships. A page-turning tale!” — Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
Reviews with the most likes.
Interesting premise but I was just a bit bored by it throughout out and Michael came off as unlikeable so what is there to root for? This will work for many people, it just wasn't one for me.
It's heavy - the subject of sexual predators, mingled with trust and the power of internet is overwhelming. It was interesting, but not a light read.
Contains spoilers
In short, this was a frustrating read.
The premise of the story on the use of anominity and social media as a platform to enable witch hunts and the negative RL impacts of online pile ons, doxxing and the like, definitely has legs. An interesting, thought provoking story could have been told with these characters from multiple angles. However, centring a false SA allegations did not feel like the right vessel for this premise. Particularly as a female reader you are naturally drawn into the SA story line and the RL events of the characters, which draws away from the social media/impact of online trolls, which becomes a secondary issue in the story? I constantly felt like I was being made to give a lot of time and day to men who are falsely accused when from statistics we know that is only approximately 2% of cases in the UK. Surely we want to be giving platforms and books to the 98% of cases if this is the story being explored? It felt like the author tried to address this through some of the characters and scenes but it was under developed in my opinion, which was disappointing given the gravity of the subject. The ending was interesting and I was pleasantly surprised at the new angle and voice. Unfortunately, it felt rushed and, like other aspects of the book, under developed.
Overall, there was a lot to be excited about, from the premise, characters and the topics explored. However, I didn't feel like justice was done to any and walked away with feelings of frustration.
