DigeeBooks



The Other Black Girl: A Novel

The Other Black Girl: A Novel

by Zakiya Dalila Harris (Author)

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER

A Good Morning America, Esquire, and Read with Marie Claire Book Club Pick and a People Best Book of Summer

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by Time, The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Entertainment Weekly, Marie Claire, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Parade, Goodreads, Fortune, and BBC

Urgent, propulsive, and sharp as a knife, The Other Black Girl is an electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing.

Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust.

Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.

It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career.

A whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace, The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist.

In Zakiya Dalila Harris' thought-provoking and captivating novel, "The Other Black Girl," we are introduced to Nella Rogers, an ambitious young woman who lands her dream job as an editorial assistant at Wagner Books, a prominent publishing house in New York City.

Nella is excited to be one of the few Black employees in the company, but her enthusiasm soon fades when she discovers that she is constantly overshadowed and undervalued by her white colleagues. The publishing world she finds herself in is a complex and often hostile environment, where microaggressions and systemic racism are insidious obstacles she must navigate daily.

Nella's life takes an alarming turn when Hazel, another Black woman, is hired as an assistant editor. Hazel seems to possess everything Nella lacks—confidence, charisma, and a knack for office politics. As Hazel quickly rises through the ranks, Nella finds herself questioning her own abilities and wondering if she is truly capable of thriving in this industry.

As the story unfolds, Nella uncovers a web of secrets and hidden agendas within Wagner Books. She discovers that the publishing world is not as glamorous as she had imagined, and that the pursuit of success often comes at a high personal cost. Amidst the cutthroat competition and treacherous alliances, Nella must decide how far she is willing to go to achieve her dreams.

"The Other Black Girl" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of race, identity, and the challenges faced by diverse individuals in corporate America. With sharp wit and insightful social commentary, Harris delves into the complexities of workplace dynamics, highlighting the subtle yet pervasive nature of racism and sexism that can hinder the progress of marginalized individuals.

The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of representation, solidarity, and the need to break down the barriers that prevent true equality in the workplace. Through Nella's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences, biases, and the role they can play in creating a more inclusive and just society.

Rating:

Language:
English
Released:
June 01, 2021