A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK “[A] propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship.” —People “We Are Not Like Them will stay with you long after you turn the last page.” —Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me Told from alternating perspectives, an evocative and riveting novel about the lifelong bond between two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event—a powerful and poignant exploration of race in America today and its devastating impact on ordinary lives.Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia. But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend. Like Tayari Jones’s
An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult’s
Small Great Things,
We Are Not Like Them explores complex questions of race and how they pervade and shape our most intimate spaces in a deeply divided world. But at its heart, it’s a story of enduring friendship—a love that defies the odds even as it faces its most difficult challenges.
In her captivating novel, "We Are Not Like Them," Christine Pride explores the complexities of human identity, belonging, and the challenges faced by those who dare to defy societal norms. The story revolves around the lives of two families from vastly different worlds, whose paths intertwine in unexpected and life-changing ways.
At the heart of the narrative is the Parker family, an African-American family living in a predominantly white neighborhood. They face daily microaggressions and discrimination, yet they remain resilient and determined to create a better life for themselves. Their story is one of strength, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of equality.
On the other side of the spectrum, the White family lives in a privileged world, shielded from the hardships faced by the Parkers. As their paths collide, both families are forced to confront their own biases and prejudices. Through their interactions, they learn to see beyond their differences and discover the commonalities that unite them as human beings.
Christine Pride's writing is both poignant and thought-provoking, as she delves into the complexities of race, class, and identity in contemporary society. She shines a light on the injustices and inequalities that persist, while also offering a glimmer of hope for a future where understanding and acceptance prevail.
"We Are Not Like Them" is a powerful and timely novel that challenges readers to examine their own beliefs and biases. Through the eyes of its characters, the book invites us to question the systems and structures that perpetuate division, and to work towards a more just and equitable world.
