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The Unfortunates
A darkly comic debut from a sensational and wholly original new voice in fiction
Dear Reader,
It has come to my attention that smoking kills, along with police, loner white boys, and looks. While embroiled in the process of trying to live, I have written this honors thesis1. It2 is dedicated to the first years who haven’t yet died from alcohol poisoning, exhaustion, or overdosing. This work has been a labor of love and of hate. In it, you will find juxtaposition, verisimilitude, French, Freud, and anything else I’ve wasted 60K a year to learn.
I would like to thank my advisors: Mr. White Supremacy, Mr. Capitalism, Ms. Racism, and, of course, my Life Partner3 for all the guidance they have provided during this process.
Set in the mind of a young Black woman who is losing it, THE UNFORTUNATES is a darkly funny debut about the realities of elitist institutions from an exceptional new writer.
[1] Ma lettre d’adieu.
[2] When writing an honors thesis, you can get away with vague antecedents.
[3] My depression
Dear Reader,
It has come to my attention that smoking kills, along with police, loner white boys, and looks. While embroiled in the process of trying to live, I have written this honors thesis1. It2 is dedicated to the first years who haven’t yet died from alcohol poisoning, exhaustion, or overdosing. This work has been a labor of love and of hate. In it, you will find juxtaposition, verisimilitude, French, Freud, and anything else I’ve wasted 60K a year to learn.
I would like to thank my advisors: Mr. White Supremacy, Mr. Capitalism, Ms. Racism, and, of course, my Life Partner3 for all the guidance they have provided during this process.
Set in the mind of a young Black woman who is losing it, THE UNFORTUNATES is a darkly funny debut about the realities of elitist institutions from an exceptional new writer.
[1] Ma lettre d’adieu.
[2] When writing an honors thesis, you can get away with vague antecedents.
[3] My depression
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2023
99 people are currently reading
14414 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
April 11, 2023
This book was an experience that will stay with me for quite some time. It’s been a while since I have thought about my undergrad experience and this book brought me back to the unique rollercoaster journey of it all. College can be an impactful period in your life. However, being a minority at a PWI can be extremely difficult, while it varies per person, and can even break some.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏: 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒕, 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉’𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕”
We meet Sahara, who is queer and half-Nigerian, entering her sophomore year at a PWI in the Midwest. She is at her breaking point as she is struggling with literally everything — her identity, living in her body, her grades, family, friends, and her mental health. All while her fellow black classmates are dying by suicide which they call ‘the Unfortunates’.
The only person Sahara feels she has she calls her “Life-Partner” which is her depression.
The book is written as her thesis statement to the University Committee to document her experience before she joins the Unfortunates… I would highly recommend reading this book as I fear audio might not translate some of the most special aspects like the footnotes, images, and other mixed media that truly made this so impactful and memorable!
I felt it depicted the difficulties of being at a PWI so accurately. The small compound moments such as uncomfortable and insensitive classroom conversations surrounding race, navigating the social scene, and unsupportive administration are too much of a burden for a college student to have to bear.
In general, college is a hard adjustment for most people but all things can feel too difficult without a solid foundation. Sahara’s struggle with her mental health was heavy and made me cry!
This book was so thoughtful and I truly loved my entire reading experience. I heard comparisons to Disorientation, one of my favorite books so it makes sense why I loved this. Sensitive topics such as body image, depression, and micro-aggressions were explored well.
Fortunately, my college experience at my PWI wasn't exactly like Sahara's but there was A LOT!!! of similarities. It took me back and made me reflect. Sahara is written so well that you feel her pain.
I loved the ending. The optimist in me loves seeing people prevail and I am a sucker for a full-circle moment! So smart. So realistic and also hopeful.
“𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏: 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒕, 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉’𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕”
We meet Sahara, who is queer and half-Nigerian, entering her sophomore year at a PWI in the Midwest. She is at her breaking point as she is struggling with literally everything — her identity, living in her body, her grades, family, friends, and her mental health. All while her fellow black classmates are dying by suicide which they call ‘the Unfortunates’.
The only person Sahara feels she has she calls her “Life-Partner” which is her depression.
The book is written as her thesis statement to the University Committee to document her experience before she joins the Unfortunates… I would highly recommend reading this book as I fear audio might not translate some of the most special aspects like the footnotes, images, and other mixed media that truly made this so impactful and memorable!
I felt it depicted the difficulties of being at a PWI so accurately. The small compound moments such as uncomfortable and insensitive classroom conversations surrounding race, navigating the social scene, and unsupportive administration are too much of a burden for a college student to have to bear.
In general, college is a hard adjustment for most people but all things can feel too difficult without a solid foundation. Sahara’s struggle with her mental health was heavy and made me cry!
This book was so thoughtful and I truly loved my entire reading experience. I heard comparisons to Disorientation, one of my favorite books so it makes sense why I loved this. Sensitive topics such as body image, depression, and micro-aggressions were explored well.
Fortunately, my college experience at my PWI wasn't exactly like Sahara's but there was A LOT!!! of similarities. It took me back and made me reflect. Sahara is written so well that you feel her pain.
I loved the ending. The optimist in me loves seeing people prevail and I am a sucker for a full-circle moment! So smart. So realistic and also hopeful.
February 28, 2023
f-ing read this book ‼️
I was recently complaining to a friend that it was already February, and I had yet to read a book that I loved. I HAVE FINALLY READ THAT BOOK! The Unfortunates by @j_k_chukwu was messy and chaotic. In the wrong hands it would have gone completely left, but it worked. This book was heavy, tackling racism and microaggressions within academia, body image, grief, suicide and depression. There were moments where I cackled. There were moments where I broke down and cried. It was such a realistic portrayal of someone living life while also living with depression and suicidal thoughts. If a book makes me cry, I automatically fall in love.
If I had to make a comparison, I would say this book is a little scrape of Queenie, and a little scrape of Disorientation, then thrown in a bag, and shaken with the uniqueness and humor that is Chukwu. This book had a unique narrative style with the addition of mixed media. We got emails, texts, footnotes, theater, art, and even (don’t be triggered) a scantron sheet, which all helped make Sahara’s story feel real. The choice to not use everyone’s real name was highly effective, and the ending had the most satisfying full circle moment.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m highly recommending this book. Because of the different mediums, I’m not sure how this would translate on audio, so I say try it in physical form if you can. And a huge huge thank you to @harperbooks for sending this wonderful, fantastic book my way!
I was recently complaining to a friend that it was already February, and I had yet to read a book that I loved. I HAVE FINALLY READ THAT BOOK! The Unfortunates by @j_k_chukwu was messy and chaotic. In the wrong hands it would have gone completely left, but it worked. This book was heavy, tackling racism and microaggressions within academia, body image, grief, suicide and depression. There were moments where I cackled. There were moments where I broke down and cried. It was such a realistic portrayal of someone living life while also living with depression and suicidal thoughts. If a book makes me cry, I automatically fall in love.
If I had to make a comparison, I would say this book is a little scrape of Queenie, and a little scrape of Disorientation, then thrown in a bag, and shaken with the uniqueness and humor that is Chukwu. This book had a unique narrative style with the addition of mixed media. We got emails, texts, footnotes, theater, art, and even (don’t be triggered) a scantron sheet, which all helped make Sahara’s story feel real. The choice to not use everyone’s real name was highly effective, and the ending had the most satisfying full circle moment.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m highly recommending this book. Because of the different mediums, I’m not sure how this would translate on audio, so I say try it in physical form if you can. And a huge huge thank you to @harperbooks for sending this wonderful, fantastic book my way!
October 17, 2025
4.5 / Oh Galápagos! The Unfortunates is wonderful in all its weirdness, and I feel most fortunate to have chosen it for a Dark Academia book challenge. I don’t know if I would have found this gem without the prompt.
It reads like a beautiful mashup of diary, playlist, zine, stage play and thesis and for me it was just the perfect mix. With collage illustrations and chapters that cleverly use music track like titles as the intro to the mood, so it is best to read this in book or ebook form.
Quips like LP for (Life Partner - aka depression), many others and some difficult subjects, you may find yourself smirking at the sarcasm, as well as the push and pull of being uncomfortable but not wanting to stop reading. Sahara is on the edge of reason and J.K. Chukwu has done an unforgettable job in bringing her to life with her debut.
Below are a few of my favourites
“I was finally ready to hear the alarms I snoozed with my denial.”
“I can’t say this out load. I can’t be the Black girl who is always angry, mad, silly and depressed. That’s too many diversity quotas checked.”
“These scars - a combination of dashes and dots - are the evidence of me searching for ways to unzip my body and see where the wrongness rests.”
“But oh Galápagos, I feel too unevolved. I don’t trust my current mouth. I wish I could grow another, a better one with a palate of courageous, eloquent language. Or even new ears, ones that upholster the old ones and protect me from their racism.”
“Eventually I leave, unnoticed, feeling slightly comforted that at least I have LP to keep me company.”
“I fear that with every future encounter, she’s pulling back the curtain, catching glimpses of me before my performance is ready.”
“Of course, the logic is faulty; however, after hours of listening to LP, the math adds up.”
“I know you’re in pain, but you don’t honor the dead by living like them. It’s time to remember how blessed you are to be alive.”
“When you’ve been splayed out at rock bottom for so long, and have failed both in living and dying, even the most hardheaded and terrified will admit that it’s time to temporarily approach this whole life situation from a different angle.”
Marked up to 5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️ eBook
It reads like a beautiful mashup of diary, playlist, zine, stage play and thesis and for me it was just the perfect mix. With collage illustrations and chapters that cleverly use music track like titles as the intro to the mood, so it is best to read this in book or ebook form.
Quips like LP for (Life Partner - aka depression), many others and some difficult subjects, you may find yourself smirking at the sarcasm, as well as the push and pull of being uncomfortable but not wanting to stop reading. Sahara is on the edge of reason and J.K. Chukwu has done an unforgettable job in bringing her to life with her debut.
Below are a few of my favourites
“I was finally ready to hear the alarms I snoozed with my denial.”
“I can’t say this out load. I can’t be the Black girl who is always angry, mad, silly and depressed. That’s too many diversity quotas checked.”
“These scars - a combination of dashes and dots - are the evidence of me searching for ways to unzip my body and see where the wrongness rests.”
“But oh Galápagos, I feel too unevolved. I don’t trust my current mouth. I wish I could grow another, a better one with a palate of courageous, eloquent language. Or even new ears, ones that upholster the old ones and protect me from their racism.”
“Eventually I leave, unnoticed, feeling slightly comforted that at least I have LP to keep me company.”
“I fear that with every future encounter, she’s pulling back the curtain, catching glimpses of me before my performance is ready.”
“Of course, the logic is faulty; however, after hours of listening to LP, the math adds up.”
“I know you’re in pain, but you don’t honor the dead by living like them. It’s time to remember how blessed you are to be alive.”
“When you’ve been splayed out at rock bottom for so long, and have failed both in living and dying, even the most hardheaded and terrified will admit that it’s time to temporarily approach this whole life situation from a different angle.”
Marked up to 5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️ eBook
August 26, 2023
This book is equal parts what I expected to get from the dust jacket, but also not at all what I expected. It's weird...
I listened to this, and the audiobook narrator, Deanna Anthony, did a marvelous job at bringing this story to life. Though I wouldn't call the book itself mixed media, there are some of those elements and so the physical reading experience could be just as good. There was just something about the narration that really brought it all to life for me.
That said this is a dark book, our main character Sahara does struggle with self harm and some other mental health issues. On top of that the University where she's attending has had a couple Black students die, all with the general struggles of attending an elite institution mixed into the bunch.
There were times where this book did things I didn't expect, went places I wasn't sure it would. All while occasionally feeling a little like we'd already tread some of that ground. At the same time the ending of this book recontexualized so much of what I'd read that part of me was willing to go back to page one and see how I felt then. I wouldn't say that it was an Earth-shattering revelation by any means, but it still recontextualized enough of the information that I did find myself enjoying more of what the book did than I had before I received that bit of information.
I'm not sure who to recommend this book to, simply because I do think that the audience is a little niche. I don't regret having picked it up though, and I will pick up whatever Chukwu comes out with next.
I listened to this, and the audiobook narrator, Deanna Anthony, did a marvelous job at bringing this story to life. Though I wouldn't call the book itself mixed media, there are some of those elements and so the physical reading experience could be just as good. There was just something about the narration that really brought it all to life for me.
That said this is a dark book, our main character Sahara does struggle with self harm and some other mental health issues. On top of that the University where she's attending has had a couple Black students die, all with the general struggles of attending an elite institution mixed into the bunch.
There were times where this book did things I didn't expect, went places I wasn't sure it would. All while occasionally feeling a little like we'd already tread some of that ground. At the same time the ending of this book recontexualized so much of what I'd read that part of me was willing to go back to page one and see how I felt then. I wouldn't say that it was an Earth-shattering revelation by any means, but it still recontextualized enough of the information that I did find myself enjoying more of what the book did than I had before I received that bit of information.
I'm not sure who to recommend this book to, simply because I do think that the audience is a little niche. I don't regret having picked it up though, and I will pick up whatever Chukwu comes out with next.
March 31, 2023
This was not pleasant until the last 50 pages of the book and even then, it felt more like catching my breath after being waterboarded. Acronyms kept me from becoming invested and so I felt bogged down (real life didn't help). But the end was very strong and there was some beautiful language and writing throughout.
August 18, 2023
This was an interesting one structurally. Written as a mock thesis addressed to the thesis committee of the university the narrator attends, it’s a fresh, offbeat, edgy take on the minority student experience.
The narrator is a young Black woman, half Nigerian, studying English at a predominantly white elite US college. She is consumed with depression (she describes depression as her “LP” or life-partner), self-harms and has suicidal thoughts.
The subject matter is very grim but it still manages to be funny and sharp in its observations on endemic and casual racism, and the difficulties for minority students in an academic setting where white people barely have to think about fitting in. There’s a storyline running through the book where the narrator suspects her roommate of stealing toilet paper and the ending gave me a chuckle.
The book is interspersed with art and graphics (the author is a writer and visual artist) and has a scrapbook feel as you’re reading it. I think it might have worked better as a colour graphic novel, but it’s certainly eye-catching and grabs your attention. The book’s quirky structure is also what prevented me from ever feeling completely invested in it; the use of acronyms and footnotes on every page took me out of the story.
An interesting one that I’m glad to have read. It’s always a good thing to put yourself in someone’s shoes. There is a growing genre of books like this and they’re important to read - they make the (white) reader uncomfortable, provoke thought, conversation and - you’d hope - greater consideration and even social change for those who have to work ten times as hard to achieve the same things. 3/5⭐️
If you liked Luster, Such a Fun Age, Everything’s Fine, The Other Black Girl, Black Buck, Queenie among others, this is another to add to your list.
Thanks @harpercollinsire for the #gifted copy.
The narrator is a young Black woman, half Nigerian, studying English at a predominantly white elite US college. She is consumed with depression (she describes depression as her “LP” or life-partner), self-harms and has suicidal thoughts.
The subject matter is very grim but it still manages to be funny and sharp in its observations on endemic and casual racism, and the difficulties for minority students in an academic setting where white people barely have to think about fitting in. There’s a storyline running through the book where the narrator suspects her roommate of stealing toilet paper and the ending gave me a chuckle.
The book is interspersed with art and graphics (the author is a writer and visual artist) and has a scrapbook feel as you’re reading it. I think it might have worked better as a colour graphic novel, but it’s certainly eye-catching and grabs your attention. The book’s quirky structure is also what prevented me from ever feeling completely invested in it; the use of acronyms and footnotes on every page took me out of the story.
An interesting one that I’m glad to have read. It’s always a good thing to put yourself in someone’s shoes. There is a growing genre of books like this and they’re important to read - they make the (white) reader uncomfortable, provoke thought, conversation and - you’d hope - greater consideration and even social change for those who have to work ten times as hard to achieve the same things. 3/5⭐️
If you liked Luster, Such a Fun Age, Everything’s Fine, The Other Black Girl, Black Buck, Queenie among others, this is another to add to your list.
Thanks @harpercollinsire for the #gifted copy.
January 21, 2023
The Unfortunates by JK Chukwu. Thanks to @harperbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sahara is close to giving up. She never feels like she is enough and her fellow students that look like her are disappearing, or dying.
This was a great read. The author took a very sensitive and difficult topic, and mixed it with wry humor, social commentary, and artistic pieces. There’s a lot to this book and every page is something new. There are illustrations and important pieces interdispersed but the main story, a young, queer,
depressed, black woman trying to fit in at college, is so compelling.
“With this body and this mind, I will never have control. The best thing I can get is rest. It brings peace and no surprises.”
The Unfortunates comes out 2/7.
Sahara is close to giving up. She never feels like she is enough and her fellow students that look like her are disappearing, or dying.
This was a great read. The author took a very sensitive and difficult topic, and mixed it with wry humor, social commentary, and artistic pieces. There’s a lot to this book and every page is something new. There are illustrations and important pieces interdispersed but the main story, a young, queer,
depressed, black woman trying to fit in at college, is so compelling.
“With this body and this mind, I will never have control. The best thing I can get is rest. It brings peace and no surprises.”
The Unfortunates comes out 2/7.
May 17, 2023
This book was totally unexpected in a variety of ways. There were some moments where it was too deep and too real & I wanted to tuck it away. I was overcome with emotion at Sahara’s experience. The writer put us right there in her struggle, which felt overwhelming and beautifully tragic at the same time. It definitely requires some trigger warnings, but I’d recommend it if you want a story of growth and finding light in darkness.
July 19, 2023
this was one of those books that feels like a movie in my head because of how vivid the descriptions are
highlyyyy recommend made me re-think a lot of college culture
highlyyyy recommend made me re-think a lot of college culture
August 14, 2024
J.K. Chukwu writes a stunning satire that manages to make you laugh, cry and fill with rage. It was very different from what I was expecting, but in a fantastic way. Reading the synopsis I was expecting a fantasy or mystery element. But this book is about our horrible reality of Black people being pushed to their limit and not getting the help they need.
‘The Unfortunates’ is written so cleverly, as a Black student writing a mock essay to address the racism in her elite college. Sahara is queer, half-Nigerian and struggling with school, her family, sexuality, social life, body image, and mental health. In her essay, she’s preparing to join “The Unfortunates”, a growing group of Black students that end up dead before they get the chance to graduate.
It took me quite a while to get into because I listened to it as an audiobook. It definitely felt a bit difficult to process because of the use of acronyms and other creative inserts. I missed out on a lot of interesting things, so I’d recommend reading a physical copy.
TW: depression, (plans of) suicide, self-harm, issues with body image, eating disorder, racism, death, grief
‘The Unfortunates’ is written so cleverly, as a Black student writing a mock essay to address the racism in her elite college. Sahara is queer, half-Nigerian and struggling with school, her family, sexuality, social life, body image, and mental health. In her essay, she’s preparing to join “The Unfortunates”, a growing group of Black students that end up dead before they get the chance to graduate.
It took me quite a while to get into because I listened to it as an audiobook. It definitely felt a bit difficult to process because of the use of acronyms and other creative inserts. I missed out on a lot of interesting things, so I’d recommend reading a physical copy.
TW: depression, (plans of) suicide, self-harm, issues with body image, eating disorder, racism, death, grief
April 30, 2023
i listened to this book. it was really reminiscent of my college experience at a PWI. while i couldn’t relate to everything, a lot of the main characters' stories were very similar to the experiences i had. i thought that the style of the book, as a thesis, was very creative and engaging for a book. i was completely wrapped up in the main character’s day to day experiences and interactions.
somehow, while there wasn't a WHOLE bunch that happened, a lot happened. it definitely wasn’t a light read. it touched on many serious topics (institutionalized racism, depression, grief, medical disparities, etcetc.). but this was balanced with humor keeping the book from being toooo heavy.
somehow, while there wasn't a WHOLE bunch that happened, a lot happened. it definitely wasn’t a light read. it touched on many serious topics (institutionalized racism, depression, grief, medical disparities, etcetc.). but this was balanced with humor keeping the book from being toooo heavy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
emotionally distressing. never felt so seen by mental health rep in a book. the depression metaphor was just horribly real. (feels important to note: as a white person there were obvs aspects of this which i couldn’t identify with) i also loved the way in which this book was written
August 22, 2024
Сахара навчається в дуже крутому університеті в Чикаґо, де вона постійно почувається так, що попри величезну плату за навчання, вона там просто для галочки, що університет приймає абітурієнтів з будь-якого бекґраунду. А ще в неї хронічна депресія, яку вона називає своїм партнером по життю. Коли усе стає надто вже нестерпним, включно з академічним расизмом, браком почуття приналежності і тиском очікувань з боку батьків, з якими давно вже немає емоційного контакту, Сахара і її депресія "домовляються" про те, скільки їй ще треба потерпіти, а коли можна буде вже покінчити зі стражданнями. І оскільки про інших студентів, які на очах Сахари один за одним зникають (у найкращому разі переводячись в інший виш, в найгіршому те, що Сахара планує зробити), говорять, що вони "завчасно випустилися", то героїня береться за "дипломну роботу", де і окреслює свій університетський досвід протягом того, що має стати останніми місяцями її життя.
Це дуже тематично складна книжка, яка висвітлює почасти проблеми, специфічні для американської освітньої системи, а почасти цілком універсальні - адже немає культурно-демографічних обмежень для того, щоб одного дня вирішити, що "якщо я все одно ніколи не зможу стати, ким слід, може, краще, щоб мене взагалі не було". А ще це дуже їдка сатира з майстерною формою. Я трохи починала читати на папері, а тепер раптом згадала про цю книжку і з'ясувала, що дистанційно я можу взяти тільки аудіо-версію. Думаю, що з огляду на формат сатиричної імітації дипломної роботи з цією історією все-таки краще знайомитися в текстовому, а не аудіо-форматі.
Це дуже тематично складна книжка, яка висвітлює почасти проблеми, специфічні для американської освітньої системи, а почасти цілком універсальні - адже немає культурно-демографічних обмежень для того, щоб одного дня вирішити, що "якщо я все одно ніколи не зможу стати, ким слід, може, краще, щоб мене взагалі не було". А ще це дуже їдка сатира з майстерною формою. Я трохи починала читати на папері, а тепер раптом згадала про цю книжку і з'ясувала, що дистанційно я можу взяти тільки аудіо-версію. Думаю, що з огляду на формат сатиричної імітації дипломної роботи з цією історією все-таки краще знайомитися в текстовому, а не аудіо-форматі.
February 28, 2023
I picked this up because I saw “queer Black woman on a college campus” in the summary and was sold, but this book is so much more than that.
Sahara is in her second year of college at an elite school in Chicago, but her depression, which she calls her Life Partner (LP) has told her it will be her last, as she plans to end her life at some point this year. But as she struggles to stay afloat (tw here includes self harm and an eating disorder) she also becomes part of a friend group of Black woman on campus, who are all concerned about the ongoing deaths and disappearances of Black students.
This book really hit me so hard, as I was also a depressed college kid with an eating disorder who was too afraid of intimacy because it meant someone finding out what a mess I was. But for Sahara, she has the extra pain of being one of the few Black women on campus, giving her extra stress, anxiety, and academic and emotional labor. Watching her try her best in the face of all these factors was at times hard to watch but I was rooting for her the whole time.
The author is also a visual artist so this book features art and multi-media aspects which I found very powerful.
Highly recommend this one!!
Sahara is in her second year of college at an elite school in Chicago, but her depression, which she calls her Life Partner (LP) has told her it will be her last, as she plans to end her life at some point this year. But as she struggles to stay afloat (tw here includes self harm and an eating disorder) she also becomes part of a friend group of Black woman on campus, who are all concerned about the ongoing deaths and disappearances of Black students.
This book really hit me so hard, as I was also a depressed college kid with an eating disorder who was too afraid of intimacy because it meant someone finding out what a mess I was. But for Sahara, she has the extra pain of being one of the few Black women on campus, giving her extra stress, anxiety, and academic and emotional labor. Watching her try her best in the face of all these factors was at times hard to watch but I was rooting for her the whole time.
The author is also a visual artist so this book features art and multi-media aspects which I found very powerful.
Highly recommend this one!!
August 3, 2024
Super creative and smart—this is written as a mock/somewhat satirical dissertation about the protagonist’s struggles with depression, academic racism, and relationships. I didn’t love the pacing. There was a lot of the protagonist being sad and making bad choices (which, of course, she’s depressed), and then maybe only 10% of the book where things start to change for her. So it is pretty emotionally taxing to read, which I know is the point, but I may not have currently been in the right headspace.
November 3, 2025
DNF after 65% of the audiobook. I had never given up on a book I didn't like before this one. If you enjoy:
- Chronically online language ("lives rent free in my mind" "bestie" "slay")
- Unlikable characters with single letter names ( C, C1, C2, B, B2, etc.)
- A tentacular plot with little direction
The Unfortunates is for you!!!
- Chronically online language ("lives rent free in my mind" "bestie" "slay")
- Unlikable characters with single letter names ( C, C1, C2, B, B2, etc.)
- A tentacular plot with little direction
The Unfortunates is for you!!!
August 3, 2023
This was fantastic. Presented in the form of a thesis, main character Sahara uses a biting, satirical tone as she lays out the constant bigotry she and other African American and Asian American students live with daily, whether from microaggressions to outright racial slurs at Elite University.
Sahara is struggling with a lot: her perception of her body, her lack of romantic partner(s), her sexual identity, her family's expectations and disappoint, her inability to focus on her schoolwork, the constant level of bigotry she encounters, and the Black classmates who keep dying.
To cope with her depression, whom she dubs her "Life Partner", she drinks too much, cuts herself off emotionally from others and cuts herself.
She relates her feelings and experiences over months at the university, all as a way to show why she, too, will disappear and die.
Sahara is near breaking, and uses humour to show how angry and hurt she by the constant racism she experiences, how she cannot tell her family that she's queer, and that she expresses her frustration on her body through cutting and getting drunk regularly, and that her grades are suffering because of her mental state.
The writing is great, and the use of other things such as emails, texts, etc. help to flesh out Sahara's character but also to bring life to the people and places she encounters.
The book is absorbing, and author J.K. Chukwu uses great sensitivity when exploring things like sexuality, body image, depression.
Chukwu's Sahara is a wonderful creation. College/university life is tough, and Sahara's emotions are raw; everything becomes too much, but thankfully, this dark story did have a hopeful ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Sahara is struggling with a lot: her perception of her body, her lack of romantic partner(s), her sexual identity, her family's expectations and disappoint, her inability to focus on her schoolwork, the constant level of bigotry she encounters, and the Black classmates who keep dying.
To cope with her depression, whom she dubs her "Life Partner", she drinks too much, cuts herself off emotionally from others and cuts herself.
She relates her feelings and experiences over months at the university, all as a way to show why she, too, will disappear and die.
Sahara is near breaking, and uses humour to show how angry and hurt she by the constant racism she experiences, how she cannot tell her family that she's queer, and that she expresses her frustration on her body through cutting and getting drunk regularly, and that her grades are suffering because of her mental state.
The writing is great, and the use of other things such as emails, texts, etc. help to flesh out Sahara's character but also to bring life to the people and places she encounters.
The book is absorbing, and author J.K. Chukwu uses great sensitivity when exploring things like sexuality, body image, depression.
Chukwu's Sahara is a wonderful creation. College/university life is tough, and Sahara's emotions are raw; everything becomes too much, but thankfully, this dark story did have a hopeful ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 5, 2023
this hooked me from the very beginning and didn't let go. both funny and very heavy at times, this book was raw and honest and took me on an adventure through all the emotions. it's told with a lot of mixed media which added an extra fun layer to the whole experience. and that's truly what this story is--an experience. it dives deeply into racism and the Black experience in academia, mental health, difficult and toxic relationships, queer identity, and pulling yourself out of the darkness and accepting parts of yourself. jk chukwu takes you into sahara's brain and weaves her wit and charm into the pages amongst all the heaviness. this is one i'm going to think about for a long time.
tw: suicidal ideation, self-harm, fatphobia, racism, medical trauma, drug use
tw: suicidal ideation, self-harm, fatphobia, racism, medical trauma, drug use
July 15, 2023
The Unfortunates is a darkly comic novel exploring the mental health of a Black student at a top American college. The narrator is Sahara, a Black woman with depression (her Life Partner, or LP) studying at a top University. She doesn't want to disappoint her parents, who wish she would become a doctor instead of maybe majoring in English Literature, or her Ride Or Die best friend, or the woman she has a crush on, but her depression controls so much of her experiences, and soon things are spiralling out of control.
Written as if it was a university final project and incorporating visual art and surreal pieces interjected into the text, this is a distinctive novel with a memorable voice. Sahara uses acronyms to refer to everyone, apparently to anonymise the text as it is being submitted as a project, and there's footnotes throughout, and all of these elements work together to make it really feel like a hybrid text created by someone trying to document their complex experiences not just with depression, but also with being a Black queer woman at a US college and not being how people expect her to be. The book is powerful and sad, but also witty, carefully balances to make what are very heavy topics (suicidal ideation features heavily in this book, which is worth being aware of before reading) have cutting commentary and even funny moments.
I wasn't sure where the book would go and it almost felt inevitable, but I think that the narrative is carefully handled, making Sahara's experiences seem realistic but also probing the depression-fuelled idea that there's no support out there. Some of the real ridiculousnesses of university and especially in the way that elite institutions deal with tragedy and injustice are very pointedly depicted and The Unfortunates really shows that the dark side of academia many people experience isn't some "dark academic" plot, but mundane inequalities, unfairness, and bigotry.
People need to go into this book knowing that it is a deep look at depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, because that won't be something everyone can just pick up and read, but when you do read it, it is a powerful exploration of mental health and race at a US college with a creative style and structure. I felt like it refreshed the idea of what a campus novel could be, especially one posing as an assignment, and how you can intertwine personal experiences with structural problems.
Written as if it was a university final project and incorporating visual art and surreal pieces interjected into the text, this is a distinctive novel with a memorable voice. Sahara uses acronyms to refer to everyone, apparently to anonymise the text as it is being submitted as a project, and there's footnotes throughout, and all of these elements work together to make it really feel like a hybrid text created by someone trying to document their complex experiences not just with depression, but also with being a Black queer woman at a US college and not being how people expect her to be. The book is powerful and sad, but also witty, carefully balances to make what are very heavy topics (suicidal ideation features heavily in this book, which is worth being aware of before reading) have cutting commentary and even funny moments.
I wasn't sure where the book would go and it almost felt inevitable, but I think that the narrative is carefully handled, making Sahara's experiences seem realistic but also probing the depression-fuelled idea that there's no support out there. Some of the real ridiculousnesses of university and especially in the way that elite institutions deal with tragedy and injustice are very pointedly depicted and The Unfortunates really shows that the dark side of academia many people experience isn't some "dark academic" plot, but mundane inequalities, unfairness, and bigotry.
People need to go into this book knowing that it is a deep look at depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, because that won't be something everyone can just pick up and read, but when you do read it, it is a powerful exploration of mental health and race at a US college with a creative style and structure. I felt like it refreshed the idea of what a campus novel could be, especially one posing as an assignment, and how you can intertwine personal experiences with structural problems.
March 25, 2024
Much closer to 4.45, but it was both heavy and shaped my life for a bit. More detailed rtc
June 12, 2023
The Unfortunates was a good book; I just don't think it was the book for me. Chukwu deals with some hard issues (trigger warnings) - things like suicide, suicide idealization, self-harming, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, racism, and classism. The synopsis paints this novel as a mystery, which it is not. It is more of a book of self-discovery. Sahara is struggling with all of these things while dealing with immigrant family expectations which just adds another struggle.
I know from personal experience that being the first daughter in a family is not easy (at all). I'm so thankful for the real relationships that Sahara had in this book - her best friend specifically. Professors who ACTUALLY care for their students are a blessing; it was great for Chukwu to show the range of professors' care in college. Some of them do not give a shit about you but others will make space for you and give allowances. Thank God for professors who actually care.
College is already stressful and being at institutions that do not support you, and have barely any people of colour is TOUGH. Feeling unsupported and having imposter syndrome is so so real. I laughed out loud at a White man being the head of the Black Student Union, like HOW?!? Chukwu has a range of Black personalities and people here. The one at stuck out was the rich Whitewashed Black person. She was shown in an awful light. She was shallow, an enabler, and not even someone I would not call a friend in any respect. While Chukwu does a great job of showing how Sahara was supported by her people. I wish there were even more exposition on the relationships. A lot of characters were in here and it felt like we did not get to see the depth of some of the relationships.
The art in here was intriguing. A lot of the pages have some visual element on them. JK Chukwu is a visual artist and I think that makes her work stand out. The fact that she uses her skills as both a writer and artist in combination is beautiful.
I know from personal experience that being the first daughter in a family is not easy (at all). I'm so thankful for the real relationships that Sahara had in this book - her best friend specifically. Professors who ACTUALLY care for their students are a blessing; it was great for Chukwu to show the range of professors' care in college. Some of them do not give a shit about you but others will make space for you and give allowances. Thank God for professors who actually care.
College is already stressful and being at institutions that do not support you, and have barely any people of colour is TOUGH. Feeling unsupported and having imposter syndrome is so so real. I laughed out loud at a White man being the head of the Black Student Union, like HOW?!? Chukwu has a range of Black personalities and people here. The one at stuck out was the rich Whitewashed Black person. She was shown in an awful light. She was shallow, an enabler, and not even someone I would not call a friend in any respect. While Chukwu does a great job of showing how Sahara was supported by her people. I wish there were even more exposition on the relationships. A lot of characters were in here and it felt like we did not get to see the depth of some of the relationships.
The art in here was intriguing. A lot of the pages have some visual element on them. JK Chukwu is a visual artist and I think that makes her work stand out. The fact that she uses her skills as both a writer and artist in combination is beautiful.
June 25, 2023
Sahara Nwadike is a queer, half-Nigerian/half-African American (this distinction is so wild but I get it lol), sophomore student at a PWI in the Midwest on the cusp of ending her life. With the stress of juggling her academics with her personal struggles with her identity, body, family, friends, and depression - who is her Life Partner (LP) – she sets out to do a final meaningful act of writing a thesis outlining her college experience before joining the Unfortunates – black students who disappear, drop out, or die by suicide. We follow Sahara as she stumbles through the first quarter of the year trying to maintain the performance of a Good Friend, Good Student, Good Black Person Fighting Against Endless Institutional Injustice At A PWI while she secretly plans her suicide after the winter holiday.
The plot of the book isn’t really straightforward, so Chukwu does well to add media elements into the pages to help drive the story and find creative ways to engage the reader. I really enjoyed the experimental form of storytelling through emails, texts, footnotes, theatrical scenes, and even a scantron/multiple choice exam sheet (that one was a doozy). Each chapter is titled as a “Track” and had a play on words with popular songs connected to Sahara. The art placed between each chapter also helped to set the mood surrounding Sahara’s mind. As dark as this book gets, there is also a lot of wit and humor woven through the story and showcases a strong testament to friendship.
Chukwu does a masterful job of giving full access to the mind of someone with depression and suicidal ideation. There’s no logic in depression and Sahara’s doesn’t try to argue that there is – another stark example of how she’s accepted LP’s control over her life. Sahara’s grim tone in talking about her own death or flaws can get very heavy and difficult to read, but the honesty exposes how destructive her thought patterns have become. To me, this was probably one of the best depictions of living with depression I’ve ever read.
Something I also appreciated & related to was the depiction of how isolating it can be for black students at a PWI. While the black students had their moments at the Black Student Coalition meetings and a group chat at their fingertips, it did not outweigh the weight the university puts on them to withstand an overall sense of disinterest and dismissal of their struggles.
My college experience wasn’t exactly like Sahara’s, but there were a lot of similarities I could personally relate to, so that influenced my overall reading experience. I have a tendency to judge books that I can personally relate to harsher than those I cannot. I already had a deep understanding with some core topics explored in this book – academia, macro/microaggressions in college, disconnection from culture, immigrant parent, depression, institutional conflict with black students/organizations – so I end up judging the book on whether I walk away with a new/unique way to view these experiences. And unfortunately, I did not, but I don’t think this takes away from the quality of the book. I haven’t read many books that talk about these topics so pointedly (only Disorientation most recently) and there’s immense value in that. Just a personal nitpick that stops me from rating this higher.
3.75 Stars
The plot of the book isn’t really straightforward, so Chukwu does well to add media elements into the pages to help drive the story and find creative ways to engage the reader. I really enjoyed the experimental form of storytelling through emails, texts, footnotes, theatrical scenes, and even a scantron/multiple choice exam sheet (that one was a doozy). Each chapter is titled as a “Track” and had a play on words with popular songs connected to Sahara. The art placed between each chapter also helped to set the mood surrounding Sahara’s mind. As dark as this book gets, there is also a lot of wit and humor woven through the story and showcases a strong testament to friendship.
Chukwu does a masterful job of giving full access to the mind of someone with depression and suicidal ideation. There’s no logic in depression and Sahara’s doesn’t try to argue that there is – another stark example of how she’s accepted LP’s control over her life. Sahara’s grim tone in talking about her own death or flaws can get very heavy and difficult to read, but the honesty exposes how destructive her thought patterns have become. To me, this was probably one of the best depictions of living with depression I’ve ever read.
Something I also appreciated & related to was the depiction of how isolating it can be for black students at a PWI. While the black students had their moments at the Black Student Coalition meetings and a group chat at their fingertips, it did not outweigh the weight the university puts on them to withstand an overall sense of disinterest and dismissal of their struggles.
My college experience wasn’t exactly like Sahara’s, but there were a lot of similarities I could personally relate to, so that influenced my overall reading experience. I have a tendency to judge books that I can personally relate to harsher than those I cannot. I already had a deep understanding with some core topics explored in this book – academia, macro/microaggressions in college, disconnection from culture, immigrant parent, depression, institutional conflict with black students/organizations – so I end up judging the book on whether I walk away with a new/unique way to view these experiences. And unfortunately, I did not, but I don’t think this takes away from the quality of the book. I haven’t read many books that talk about these topics so pointedly (only Disorientation most recently) and there’s immense value in that. Just a personal nitpick that stops me from rating this higher.
3.75 Stars
November 5, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
This was such an interesting novel following sahara and her journey as a 20 something in college. There were moments (to a certain extent) i definitely related to her of being "halfrican" (half african and half african-american) and feeling this disconnect from our culture to being in our head a lot and not being present in the moment. While this is a dark comedy, this could also be classified as dark academia where we see black characters go through challenges at a pwi in the midwest (the main one being that black students are dying) There are some heavy moments in this book (the mc is suicidal, deals w/ self-harm, and sometimes ed in addition to institutionlized racism), so id be mindful of that.
Seeing how the story ends honestly puts into perspective of how much sahara has grown as a character. At the beginning, she was very depressed and constantly relied on bad coping mechanism, but after experiencing the loss of her friend/crush, she almost feels hopeless. However with the help of one of her friends, she is able to go to therapy, be more open about her struggles, and finds the courage to live and not become a victim or one of the "unfortunate". The writing in this book is written like a thesis statement which I thought was interesting to see as a reflection of the mc. After reading this book and knowing why she (sahara) written the thesis statement, it makes sense bc she is showing how she almost gave up but didn't and this was almost like a huge f you to the school she is attending.
What I wish we saw from the story was that we see sahara at the end of the school her and how she is doing especially with her family. It wasn't until around 80-85% where we see her development and I kind feel like an epilogue would be nice to see more of her progress. Another thing that kinda gives me this rating was that there were a lot of abbreviations which can get confusing at times. I listened to this one audio majority of the time (which I honestly LOVED the narration), but I think reading the physical at the beginning would have been helpful.
Overall, this was a great story and definitely deals with real life issues that unfortunately continue to happen. I'd say I recommend this book and would be interested to see what the author writes next.
This was such an interesting novel following sahara and her journey as a 20 something in college. There were moments (to a certain extent) i definitely related to her of being "halfrican" (half african and half african-american) and feeling this disconnect from our culture to being in our head a lot and not being present in the moment. While this is a dark comedy, this could also be classified as dark academia where we see black characters go through challenges at a pwi in the midwest (the main one being that black students are dying) There are some heavy moments in this book (the mc is suicidal, deals w/ self-harm, and sometimes ed in addition to institutionlized racism), so id be mindful of that.
Seeing how the story ends honestly puts into perspective of how much sahara has grown as a character. At the beginning, she was very depressed and constantly relied on bad coping mechanism, but after experiencing the loss of her friend/crush, she almost feels hopeless. However with the help of one of her friends, she is able to go to therapy, be more open about her struggles, and finds the courage to live and not become a victim or one of the "unfortunate". The writing in this book is written like a thesis statement which I thought was interesting to see as a reflection of the mc. After reading this book and knowing why she (sahara) written the thesis statement, it makes sense bc she is showing how she almost gave up but didn't and this was almost like a huge f you to the school she is attending.
What I wish we saw from the story was that we see sahara at the end of the school her and how she is doing especially with her family. It wasn't until around 80-85% where we see her development and I kind feel like an epilogue would be nice to see more of her progress. Another thing that kinda gives me this rating was that there were a lot of abbreviations which can get confusing at times. I listened to this one audio majority of the time (which I honestly LOVED the narration), but I think reading the physical at the beginning would have been helpful.
Overall, this was a great story and definitely deals with real life issues that unfortunately continue to happen. I'd say I recommend this book and would be interested to see what the author writes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2023
What an incredible epistolary novel. Written in the form of a thesis dissertation, including script-like conversations, zine pages, and more, The Unfortunates is a bold and powerful debut. J.K. Chukwu doesn't mess around--following Sahara through her first year of college at a university that's trying to do "better" by its BIPOC student population, we discover that she struggles with mental health, self harm, and suicidal ideation. She's also queer, the eldest sibling, and is ready to let loose for once. But when does letting loose turn into self harm? And when does self harm turn into suicidal ideation?
With stories about her aunt, whose zine she takes from the university library to read, her best friend whose name is ROD (ride or die) in the novel, and her classes, Sahara struggles with realizing that there is a place for her in this world. She is allowed to take up space, even if it's not what the university wants. She is allowed to ask for help, even if the university doesn't offer good health care for its students.
This, for me--a graduated white woman, so definitely take my review with a grain of salt--was just an absolutely stunning, breathtaking novel. There were many aspects of this novel that I could only try to understand as an outsider, but many parts were so refreshing in their painful honesty. Like, for instance, the fact that Sahara cuts herself. I don't think I've ever seen a book talk about it without romanticizing it or glossing over it. The fact that sometimes it's the only thing you can think to do, the fact that it's embarrassing to take your clothes off in front of others. Her thoughts reflected mine: when you have sex with someone new (or for the first time), what will their reaction be?
For a character so unlike me, I found an unexpected likeness. Here's to Sahara, here's to surviving, and here's to living!
With stories about her aunt, whose zine she takes from the university library to read, her best friend whose name is ROD (ride or die) in the novel, and her classes, Sahara struggles with realizing that there is a place for her in this world. She is allowed to take up space, even if it's not what the university wants. She is allowed to ask for help, even if the university doesn't offer good health care for its students.
This, for me--a graduated white woman, so definitely take my review with a grain of salt--was just an absolutely stunning, breathtaking novel. There were many aspects of this novel that I could only try to understand as an outsider, but many parts were so refreshing in their painful honesty. Like, for instance, the fact that Sahara cuts herself. I don't think I've ever seen a book talk about it without romanticizing it or glossing over it. The fact that sometimes it's the only thing you can think to do, the fact that it's embarrassing to take your clothes off in front of others. Her thoughts reflected mine: when you have sex with someone new (or for the first time), what will their reaction be?
For a character so unlike me, I found an unexpected likeness. Here's to Sahara, here's to surviving, and here's to living!
July 26, 2023
Initial thoughts: raw, intelligent, funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, beautiful.
Updated review: EVERYONE should read this book, but most especially, if you have anything to do with higher education AT ALL, whether as student, teacher, administrator, or volunteer, you must read this book. Obviously, as a white woman, I did not identify with all of Sahara's identities; I did identify with some of her story, though. This has got to have the most real portrayal of depression and suicidal ideation in a fiction that I have ever read. Throughout, Sahara's humor, sadness, and rage burn brightly, so that you are in the midst of it, and feeling it too. The POV of a Black woman in a PWI is poignant and important-you can logically 'know' a thing, but to see it through this window is another thing entirely. Certainly, I'll never understand on a fundamental level, but having the books and other media that represent these true stories (fiction as truth-teller) is so important for everyone in today's America.
The framework of a satirical Master's thesis is brilliantly conceived and executed in this book, and is well used to highlight the insufficient, ineffective, and hypocritical policies and facades of towering institutions that don't actually do the work to raise up anyone except their donors and benefactors. This book touched not only on systemic racism, but also everyday microaggressions, inequitable health-care and the dismissal of Black people's pain, trying to figure out your life as an LGBTQIA+ person, depression and self-harm, dysfunctional families (even if there is love there), and just trying to figure out yourself in college. That is SO much to cover, but this book doesn't feel bogged down, sloggy, or hindered in achieving to carry all of that.
Also, Sahara has awesome taste in music. 5 stars.
Updated review: EVERYONE should read this book, but most especially, if you have anything to do with higher education AT ALL, whether as student, teacher, administrator, or volunteer, you must read this book. Obviously, as a white woman, I did not identify with all of Sahara's identities; I did identify with some of her story, though. This has got to have the most real portrayal of depression and suicidal ideation in a fiction that I have ever read. Throughout, Sahara's humor, sadness, and rage burn brightly, so that you are in the midst of it, and feeling it too. The POV of a Black woman in a PWI is poignant and important-you can logically 'know' a thing, but to see it through this window is another thing entirely. Certainly, I'll never understand on a fundamental level, but having the books and other media that represent these true stories (fiction as truth-teller) is so important for everyone in today's America.
The framework of a satirical Master's thesis is brilliantly conceived and executed in this book, and is well used to highlight the insufficient, ineffective, and hypocritical policies and facades of towering institutions that don't actually do the work to raise up anyone except their donors and benefactors. This book touched not only on systemic racism, but also everyday microaggressions, inequitable health-care and the dismissal of Black people's pain, trying to figure out your life as an LGBTQIA+ person, depression and self-harm, dysfunctional families (even if there is love there), and just trying to figure out yourself in college. That is SO much to cover, but this book doesn't feel bogged down, sloggy, or hindered in achieving to carry all of that.
Also, Sahara has awesome taste in music. 5 stars.
September 6, 2023
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sahara navigates college while dealing with depression and racism.
-
Probably the cheekiest novel I’ve ever read. Sahara attends an unnamed top-ranked American university with supportive friends, tricky love interests, and micro-aggressive classmates and instructors. But mostly she’s accompanied by her depression, which she nicknames her “Life Partner.” All of this is a set up for what becomes a bizarre, upsetting, and engrossing read about coming to terms with one’s mental health. [Content warnings at the end].
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sahara’s is self-deprecating in hilarious and serious ways. There’s an edgy relatability to her that borders on the extreme but never goes too far or gets too ridiculous.
Her depression dubbed her Life Partner is a fascinating and entertaining embodiment of her psyche, and it provides both comic relief and sagacious insight.
Ever other character is also pertinent and has their own influence on Sahara’s development.
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sardonic humor is my jam, and Chukwu does a tremendous job of being ironic and satirical, yet entirely real as well. The writing is clever and includes great references and comparisons.
Plus, the entire premise of writing a novel in the form of a college thesis is brilliant. And I love the other interesting stylistic choices, such as using annotations and images, making each chapter a playlist “track,” and utilizing script-like passages.
One thing to note is this book takes itself almost too lightly at times, and it will definitely offend and bother some readers. In my opinion, the dark humor is purposeful - and Chukwu seems to be speaking from the heart - but it is not for everyone.
Recommended to fans of dark humor and/or college settings.
[Content warnings: self harm and discussion of suicide, disordered eating, racism]
Sahara navigates college while dealing with depression and racism.
-
Probably the cheekiest novel I’ve ever read. Sahara attends an unnamed top-ranked American university with supportive friends, tricky love interests, and micro-aggressive classmates and instructors. But mostly she’s accompanied by her depression, which she nicknames her “Life Partner.” All of this is a set up for what becomes a bizarre, upsetting, and engrossing read about coming to terms with one’s mental health. [Content warnings at the end].
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sahara’s is self-deprecating in hilarious and serious ways. There’s an edgy relatability to her that borders on the extreme but never goes too far or gets too ridiculous.
Her depression dubbed her Life Partner is a fascinating and entertaining embodiment of her psyche, and it provides both comic relief and sagacious insight.
Ever other character is also pertinent and has their own influence on Sahara’s development.
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sardonic humor is my jam, and Chukwu does a tremendous job of being ironic and satirical, yet entirely real as well. The writing is clever and includes great references and comparisons.
Plus, the entire premise of writing a novel in the form of a college thesis is brilliant. And I love the other interesting stylistic choices, such as using annotations and images, making each chapter a playlist “track,” and utilizing script-like passages.
One thing to note is this book takes itself almost too lightly at times, and it will definitely offend and bother some readers. In my opinion, the dark humor is purposeful - and Chukwu seems to be speaking from the heart - but it is not for everyone.
Recommended to fans of dark humor and/or college settings.
[Content warnings: self harm and discussion of suicide, disordered eating, racism]
December 31, 2024
Yayyy, another depressed black sapphic (with west-african roots) who self-harms and constantly self-sabotages to add to my list🥳
No, I'm honestly glad about this perspective and how the main character Sahara deals with her depression or, to be more accurate, with how her depression deals with her. Honestly, it is very realistic and quite relatable.
The writing was very good and made me not want to put the book down. I'm very proud of Sahara and was with her on her journey at every step, even when that meant considering her way of escapism. But in the end, this book just made me want to get better. Seeing everything on paper really shows that this is no way to live. It can barely be called a life.
On another note, I love how comfortable Sahara is with her queernes. It's not something that needs to be put in the spotlight, but that makes the racism she experiences hit even harder. I'm seriously concerned for black people in the US because what the fuck is wrong with your country. And the fact that barely anything ever changes makes me so angry, and I don't even live there.
All in all, it's a very dark book and you shouldn't go into this if you haven't looked up the content warnings first. Even with all that, I can just recommend The Unfortunates.
No, I'm honestly glad about this perspective and how the main character Sahara deals with her depression or, to be more accurate, with how her depression deals with her. Honestly, it is very realistic and quite relatable.
The writing was very good and made me not want to put the book down. I'm very proud of Sahara and was with her on her journey at every step, even when that meant considering her way of escapism. But in the end, this book just made me want to get better. Seeing everything on paper really shows that this is no way to live. It can barely be called a life.
On another note, I love how comfortable Sahara is with her queernes. It's not something that needs to be put in the spotlight, but that makes the racism she experiences hit even harder. I'm seriously concerned for black people in the US because what the fuck is wrong with your country. And the fact that barely anything ever changes makes me so angry, and I don't even live there.
All in all, it's a very dark book and you shouldn't go into this if you haven't looked up the content warnings first. Even with all that, I can just recommend The Unfortunates.
February 11, 2024
The Unfortunates by J K Chukwu tells the story of Sahara, a half-Nigerian college sophomore at a prestigious PWI in the Midwest. By her second year, Sahara has only made one friend, and feels a crushing depression as the already small group of Black students at her school shrinks. Feeling like the university isn’t doing enough to honor Black students’ health and wellbeing, Sahara mobilizes for change. Behind closed doors, however, Sahara contemplates suicide like peers before her.
The Unfortunates is a heavy but necessary story about racism in higher education, creating your own legacy, and silencing your self discovery. Sahara is an easy main character to root for and I wanted nothing more than for her to feel validated. While Chukwu handles heavy topics, she also creates levity with her sense of humor. This is definitely a story to laugh and cry with.
The Unfortunates is a heavy but necessary story about racism in higher education, creating your own legacy, and silencing your self discovery. Sahara is an easy main character to root for and I wanted nothing more than for her to feel validated. While Chukwu handles heavy topics, she also creates levity with her sense of humor. This is definitely a story to laugh and cry with.
October 31, 2023
this book played around with text and with formatting which was a lot of fun! i also enjoyed listening to this one, the audiobook narrator made listening to this story really fun! there are a lottttt of footnotes and i feel without the audiobook i would’ve gotten pretty sea sick, bc there’s a lot of bouncing around.
this book talks a lot about mental health in the black community, and is set on a college campus. although this is a fiction novel, i really was able to read and learn about A LOT of racial inequalities that happen on a college campus. there’s also quite a bit of talk around self harm, so keep that in mind if that’s a trigger for you!
this book talks a lot about mental health in the black community, and is set on a college campus. although this is a fiction novel, i really was able to read and learn about A LOT of racial inequalities that happen on a college campus. there’s also quite a bit of talk around self harm, so keep that in mind if that’s a trigger for you!
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