New Nigeria County

by Clare Brown, Ayanna Dookie (Narrator), Korey Jackson (Narrator)

3 hours, 33 minutes

When a white family moves to the affluent Black community of New Nigeria County, a “misunderstanding” between neighbors escalates until the entire town is swept up in the drama in this hilarious and whip-smart full-cast audiobook, written and performed by TikTok star Clare Brown.

New Nigeria is a good, clean, All-American town. The husbands are smiling and handsome, the wives are strong, rich, and powerful, and Nat Turner High is the best public school in the state. Yet, the citizens of this idyllic community find themselves in a rapidly changing country and, to be perfectly honest, some of them are a teeny bit uncomfortable with it all.

When a New Nigeria community leader Carèn makes a frantic phone call to the local police about a “potential gang member” roaming her cushy Malcolm X Estates neighborhood, it turns out the boy is her new European American neighbor, Jake Smith, and the misunderstanding quickly becomes the talk of the town. While Jake’s mom, Meghan, is hurt by her new neighbor’s behavior, Care`n works tirelessly to preserve the safety (and the property values) of her beloved community. As the two women work toward their own version of equity, their conflict continues to escalate, setting off a chain of cringe-worthy confrontations that send the good citizens of New Nigeria into a tailspin.

New Nigeria County is a hilarious, razor-sharp debut, flipping the script to expose uncomfortable truths through wildly entertaining comedy. This dynamic audiobook, created for the listening experience, is perfect for fans of Abbott Elementary, Dear White People, and Such a Fun Age.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Humor, Contemporary, Satire, Feminism, Adult

4 pages, Audiobook

First published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Jonetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

the setup…
New Nigeria is representative of an all-American town. The women are successful with stay-at-home husbands and children who are doing well in school. The affluent Black community is unsettled by a new white family moving into the neighborhood. When business and community leader Carén Walker sees a white (or the politically correct European American) boy in cargo shorts across the street, she calls the police to report him as a gang member. It sets off a series of events in the town struggling to deal with diversity in a changing country.

the heart of the story…
Everything is upside down in this story and it’s hilarious looking at it through a different lens. People of color and women as the leaders and breadwinners are the normal. All the typical stereotypes are in play…traditional homemaker roles, gender discrimination, workplace sexual harassment and of course racism…all in reverse. It was truly enlightening to see how the same issues would play out in this reverse order world in all aspects of life.

the narration…
The beauty is in this full cast narration and everyone plays their roles wonderfully. I love how this felt like a theater production and they were cast perfectly!

the bottom line…
Yes, this had me in stitches but underneath it all is a really strong message about all of these societal issues. It’s the best way to look inward and check yourself. It reminded me of an experiment that Oprah Winfrey conducted on her talk show to best illustrate bias and discrimination. I recommend this for everyone as it’s always great to learn something meaningful while having fun in the process. Well done! 4.5 stars

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really fun! I love the author's TikTok skits and was curious to see how they worked into more of a full narrative. I think it was done pretty well, though I don't know how this would read to people who weren't already familiar with her body of work. Admittedly it's a little less funny- I think the deadpan delivery in videos is hard to replicate in this format. But it's fun to see a fleshed out version of New Nigeria County, "Margin" and others.

For those unfamiliar with the source material, Clare Brown has made these smart and entertaining skits that flip the script on race and gender. In New Nigeria County, European Americans are the minority and often come from the "outer city". They have exotic hair that is oddly straight and yellow, with these exotic names that are very hard to get right. And while women are most often at the top of various industries, you occasionally get a "boy boss" who has bigger ambitions than being a house husband. You get the idea- it's smart and pretty hilarious. I highly recommend checking out her videos if you haven't seen them! I do think it was a good choice to make this project audio only. It follows a successful woman who calls the police on a new neighbor when she sees her teenage son walking around in cargo shorts- notorious gang attire related to the Live, Laugh, Love gang. But so begins a blow up involving the local high school, the PTA, and her job. Check it out! I love the full cast narration with the author playing the main character. I received an audio influencer copy via Libro.FM, all opinions are my own.

[Clare Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be biased -- but I think this one was great!

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Did you egg her house?"
"I'm vegan I don't have eggs."

"People are saying you called the police."
"I don't even know the number for 911."

After listening to the razor sharp New Nigeria County, by the brilliant Clare Brown, my son asked me what made me laugh so hard. I told him it was a satirical social commentary audiobook and he laughed at me. Then he listened to it. Besides the laughing, there was the wincing at certain comments, and then at the end he said, "All the stars. Give this writer all the stars. This should be required listening."

New Nigeria County is home to affluent black families. The men raise the children and care for the home. After all, most went to college for their MR. Degree to marry a successful woman to care for them.

When C'aren Walker sees a white boy in the yard across from hers wearing cargo shorts she understandably assumes he's a thief and a member of the Live, Laugh and Love gang. So she calls the police on him. Imagine her shock to learn Jake and his mother are her new neighbors!

The author and a full cast perform this just under 4 hour master class in entertaining and, hopefully educating, flipping the script on everything from racism, sexism to plain rudeness. Jake's "yellow hair" is distracting to the students, his mother Megan is called Magenta, Margin, and Martha. Why bother learning her name?! Boys study opening jars and well there's a reason property taxes need to stay high.

It's not easy making people laugh, think, wince uncomfortably and fall in love with your insightful comedic words but this author pulls it off with class and a wink. I hope my son gets his wish and everyone hears her work so masterfully crafted but at least for him, and myself, I give her all the stars!

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Simon Audio for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Khiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and fun as an audiobook. Plenty of laughs and winces that are thought provoking but not too deep unless you pause to ponder for yourself. I'm not sure this would read as well in printed form.

[Weekend Reader_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Clare's short form videos this will not disappoint. It's highly ridiculous, unserious, satirical take on racism, sexism, and doing the bare minimum to confront really any ism. The ending was a good reminder that those with power or who have power rarely experience consequences other than a few weeks of discomfort. They just have to wait it out or do enough "goodwill" 🤷🏾‍♀️

[Sarah Ochs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will be diligent to never pronounce someone’s name wrong after this one

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Nigeria County builds off Clare Brown’s hilariously insightful TikTok series that flips common racist and misogynistic tropes to expose their absurdity. The story begins when an “outer city” family moves to the wealthy Malcolm X Estates neighborhood, and Carén Walker calls the police on her new neighbor’s son for looking out of place with his wacky yellow hair and cargo shorts.

New Nigeria County is wonderfully written and acted. In this long form satire, Brown skewers not just the microagressions of always getting someone’s name wrong or calling a powerful woman a girl boss, but also larger issues of institutional racism. Brown shows how those with the right connections can slide out of trouble, while those who are seen as undesirable in the community pay more than their fair share. And even better is how she demonstrates authority figures abusing their power to ensure the system continues to operate this way. She shows how the system isn’t broken; it’s working exactly as it is intended to.

I wish Brown had taken this last theme just one step further. I wanted to see Mayor Rodriguez’s complicity even more fleshed out. This added such a compelling layer to the narrative and I wanted more.

Thank you to libro.fm for the free review copy of this one. I highly recommend it.

[Jordyn Roesler | Sorry, Booked Solid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so entertaining. I love how it flipped misogyny and racism on their heads to highlight how ridiculous some of our society’s biases and stereotypes are. I don’t know this author from tik tok, but it sounds like she does skits like this often, and I’m sure anyone who enjoys those would also enjoy this full-cast production. Well worth the 3.5 hour listening time, less if you increase the speed. Don’t mind me exclusively saying “oh my goddess” and “Queen and boy-Queen” from now on.

[Laura Danger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was given an advanced listening copy by Simon and schuster audio and absolutely loved it!
So enjoyable! Beautiful display of satire. Funny, thought provoking. I found myself wincing, laughing out loud and raising my eyebrows throughout. A refreshing take - smart and witty. Will definitely be listening again!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Audiobook

“Her hair is so yellow, I wonder how she gets it like that.”

“He was wearing 𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙂𝙊 shorts!!!”

“…he’s part of the 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙜!"

“What are we supposed to do give all our money away and dye our hair yellow!?”

Thanks to Simon & Schuster (@librofm) for my #gifted copy of this fantastic audiobook. This was a whole production and while it was hilarious it was also was heavy on present day issues. I had no idea what I was in for with this one, it goes after prejudices, sexism and stereotypes.

The MCs live in Malcolm X Estates and there are these scary white people or a, European Americans that just moved in and oh no, the property values are about to drop! 😱

I mean calling cargo shorts gang attire and the gang being called the “𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙜" had me laughing so hard. I also liked the goofy upbeat music between chapters and that they played music heavy on that banjo 🪕whenever they wanted the European Americans to feel at home or welcome them.

Entertaining and immersive. It really shines the spotlight on how ridiculous people are to treat each other so terribly and for what!?!
It’s relevant, it’s funny and holds nothing back. It’s in a word…perfect.

So take your HANDS OFF MY HAIR and let’s go head out to Marigold, Magnet or whatever her name is’ “ho down” “ho party” “ho around” “ho’s night” 😂🤣😂 call it what you will, let’s get European American!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a silly take on a serious topic. It's a VERY easy to swallow and a simplified take on how living Black & White in America is like from the opposite points of view. If the readers allow, it could inform them in a way that transforms how they move through the world going forward and how they interact with their fellow humans who don't look like them or those who come from differing cultures. I have absolutely witnessed or heard accounts of nearly every single instance of slight in this book. The gift of this book is that it allows both sides to better imagine experiencing what each is perceived to experience. The most important thing to remember about perceptions in the context of perceived slights based on race, color, or ethnicity, including differing cultures, is that regardless of intention each party responds as though the perceived behavior really occurred. Thus, when attempting to resolve conflict of this nature, intention often matters far less than preferred. Being heard & having feelings & views about the circumstances acknowledged (validation) is much more important to resolution than intention. Acknowledgment is not admittance.

[Madison Booher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got past the fact that the book is entirely dialogue, it was enjoyable. It was like listening to a play.

I enjoy her social media videos a lot, and it felt like this was just a long version of one her videos- with audio only. Overall, the exact right amount of absurdity and comedy to highlight the absurdity we live in.

[Amber’s TBR Adventure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please listen to this audiobook! Clara Brown flips the script on race and sexism in the United States and manages to do so with humor. The full cast and audio production added to the overall experience. Would be interesting for a book club to discuss.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have followed Clare Brown on social media for a while, and really enjoy her skits reversing social gender and race norms. So when I saw she was releasing a book, I immediately added it to my TBR.

But, I just don't think that the book works as well as the smaller-form skits do. It's a bit too one note, and entirely predictable, especially for someone familiar with her already.

That being said, it wasn't BAD, and the audiobook cast was quite enjoyable, and it is a very quick listen, so I would still recommend it, but I think that I would have enjoyed it more had I not already been so familiar with her style.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I am not on TikTok so have no prior knowledge of Clare Brown and her work. This clever and funny book started out so well and I loved how issues of race and gender issues were completely flipped around. However, the humor only lasted so long and then the ending did me in. I was not expecting a "kumbaya, let's all hold hands and drink a coke" finish. However, there was no growth in the characters or resolution of the problems at all, which was quite a pessimistic statement about racial and gender issues in our society.

[Melissa McAlvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was really well done and very thought provoking. I was familiar with the author’s very clever short form videos that reverse social stereotypes so that helped prepare me for the book. In this long form with different voices I felt like it made an even bigger impact on me and forced me to think about what stereotypes I still might be blind to myself.

[Tamanna Sahni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, reversed satire that made for a quick read

[Ana Camastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 It's very funny and clever. The satire is well done and I enjoyed a lot of the recurring bits. Because it was written as an audiobook, the full cast recording made sense and was enjoyable. However, it falls short on the world building.

Mild spoilers:
Why is Columbusing and colonizer an insult in this world? Why are housekeepers and baby sitters still women? It makes no sense within the context the book establishes. Couldn't get past these little inconsistencies.

[Allison Rief · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already followed Brown on social with her skits flipping the script on real life situations. This is a fun, quick, but important listen. It's styled like episodes in an ongoing drama and flips things so that women of color are in power. Men are househusbands, the "outer city" is undesirable, "European Americans" are the often hated minority.

It seems hilarious until you take a minute to realize this is our world and what we do, just flipping the races and gender identities around.

[Delphanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the fleshing out of the world Clare Brown created. Wish there was so much more! More background on characters and windows into the workings/happenings of New Nigeria County. Hopefully we will get more in Clare's next work :)

[Mandygerz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first audiobook experience and it did not disappoint! Didn’t want to stop listening and the voice actors do such a great job of telling a hilariously cringey/frustrating/interesting and thought-provoking story.

[Kendra ♡ Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

this… was SOOO FUNNY!!! i’m so mad i waited so long to read this but also I feel like i read it at the perfect time 🤣 I need MORE from Clare Brown, I need MORE from this world! absolutely unhinged in the best way 🤣🤣 white people really be like that sometimes 😭💀

[chasc.taylor_reads]

I enjoyed the full cast of narrators for the audiobook. It was funny and enjoyable when you don’t think too deeply. However, this book tackles some very real societal issues.


It’s a quick listen and kept me engaged the whole time.

I’m not sure what/how to rate this because it’s so different than anything out there. It was good and I can’t think of any negative critiques, but I don’t get that 5 star feeling from this. I’d definitely recommend it!

[Love BookReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant and clever approach to weave in humor and satire to highlight the undertones of racism, gender roles, social class, and gentrification that poison our societies. After all of the laughter, I hope this reaches the audience who could learn from the underlying message.

I had a great time with this book and the audio was phenomenal! I look forward to more work from the author and hope this turns into a series.

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bold and satirical reimagining of a neighborhood where people of color are the majority and Europeans are the minority challenges readers to confront stereotypes about race, class, and gender. The audiobook production was masterful—I laughed out loud numerous times and found myself deeply engaged in thought. The author’s use of humor was a brilliant touch, not just for entertainment but as a means of prompting introspection. The book pushes us to examine our unconscious biases, how we relate to others, and how stereotypes persist across generations. Ultimately, it sparks hope for a future where these patterns are broken, and meaningful, lasting change takes hold. While we’re not there yet—as our society clearly demonstrates—I hold onto the hope that future generations will drive the transformation toward a better, more equitable world.

[Toya (thereadingchemist)]

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. Don't get me wrong, parts of it are really hilarious because it makes fun of all of the Karens out there. What makes me hesitant is the fact that there are Karens out there though that will use to further their racist agenda.

[Meredithhb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get used to the “audio original” nature of this book (more like a radio show story from the olden days in that respect :)) but once I got into that, I really enjoyed the book. The role reversals the author presents are nuanced and illuminating.

[Cherith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The satire is fiery hot. After a while, it felt a little one-note, but by the end, there were enough layers that it started surprising me again. I still think about some of her satirical swaps.

Loved that it was a full cast audiobook (basically a radio play).