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41 pages 1 hour read

Raven Leilani

Luster

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Luster, 23-year-old Edie, a Black woman living in New York City, grapples with personal trauma and a chaotic life as she navigates a complex relationship with Eric, a 46-year-old White man in an open marriage. Through Edie’s first-person narrative, the novel explores themes of human complexity at the intersections of sex, love, death, gender, and race. This book contains discussions of trauma and difficult relationships.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Raven Leilani's Luster is lauded for its raw, unflinching exploration of race, sex, and modern life, delivering a fresh voice with sharp, witty prose. Reviewers praise its complex characters and nuanced depiction of millennial struggles. However, some note the plot's meandering nature and occasional lack of resolution. Overall, a bold and compelling debut.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Luster?

Readers who enjoy Luster by Raven Leilani typically appreciate contemporary fiction that explores themes of race, sexuality, and the complexities of modern relationships. Fans of Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid or Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams will find this novel compelling and thought-provoking.

Book Details
Pages

226

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • Contemporary

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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