Status Updates From Map of Ireland

Um, where is the line between historical context and flagrant racism? I definitely have my guard up while reading this book, especially considering the number of times the n-word has already been used.

“I could smell her Black smell.” The. Fuck.

Setting 1974. Copyright 2008. I have to wonder what makes a white author decide to write fiction focused on race in such a time. Is it the freedom to use such language under the guise of being historically accurate?

I picked this book for the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge category of, "YA Novel by an author that identifies as LGBTQ." It also happens that the MC is a lesbian. I want to support this book, but I am struggling with the lack of intersectionality & racism that is going to be explained away because of the era the book is set in. I should be done with this, but I keep cringing and have to put it down.