The Unfortunates

Chukwu’s inventive debut explores the isolation of a queer Black woman at an elite university. The narrative is framed as an honors thesis (the narrative begins, “Dear Thesis Committee,/ It has come to my attention that smoking kills, along with police, loner white boys, and looks”), and it includes footnotes, a table of contents modeled on a playlist, and zine-inspired collage illustrations, all from college sophomore Sahara. She’s struggled with depression and self-harm for years, dubbing depression her “Life Partner” and having imagined arguments with it. At her university, however, incessant microaggressions, institutional hypocrisy, healthcare inequities, and a relentless trend of other Black students dropping out, disappearing, or dying by suicide (the “Unfortunates” of the title) lead the troubled Sahara into disordered eating, binge drinking, and suicidal ideation. Sahara is clearly bright—her narration is playful even at its angriest—and a little bored by her coursework; depression clouds her ability not only to excel but also to clearly see those who would gladly support her if given the chance (especially her longtime best friend, called “Ride or Die”). Though the prevalence of code names for secondary characters verges on overkill, Sahara’s voice is formidable, and her story powerful. This blistering anthem brims with rage and hope. (Feb.)