In Every Mirror She’s Black

A Novel

By: Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström

Narrated by: Rosemarie Akwafo, Sara Powell

A Go On Girl! Book Club Pick

Three Black women are linked in unexpected ways to the same influential white man in Stockholm as they build their new lives in the most open society run by the most private people.

Successful marketing executive Kemi Adeyemi is lured from the US to Sweden by Jonny von Lundin, CEO of the nation's largest marketing firm, to help fix a PR fiasco involving a racially tone-deaf campaign. A killer at work but a failure in love, Kemi's move is a last-ditch effort to reclaim her social life.

A chance meeting with Jonny in business class en route to the US propels former model-turned-flight-attendant Brittany-Rae Johnson into a life of wealth, luxury, and privilege as the object of his unhealthy obsession.

And refugee Muna Saheed finds a job cleaning the toilets at Jonny's office as she works to establish her residency in Sweden and, more importantly, seeks connection and a place she can call home.

Told through the perspectives of each of the three women, In Every Mirror She's Black is a fast-paced, richly nuanced novel that touches on important social issues of racism, classism, fetishization, and tokenism, and what it means to be a Black woman navigating a white-dominated society.

©2021 Lola Akinmade Akerstrom (P)2022 Tantor

Not sure of where the author was going with this

Maybe I began listening to this story in the wrong frame of mind. I was expecting to hear a story about 3 black women with no connection being tied together by the mysterious Jonny Von Lunden. Instead I heard the story of 3 black women who were insecure, guarded, lonely and looking for love in Sweden. Albeit, each woman had a inner strength and resilience within them that helped to propel them forward to make decisions necessary to take the risks to find happiness but in the end they were left empty and worse off than they began. Kemi, a nigerian born American citizen was the top in her field of marketing. Feeling the pressure of the glass ceiling pressing on her head she realizes that she can go no further in her current role at her company. Coupled by the insidious and increasing sexual advances of her boss she knows she needs to leave but is undecided until she is out of the blue approached by the Von Lunden company for a new position. This position is everything that she could want and the opportunity for advancement that she knows that she will never have with her company. So Kemi packs up and makes her move to Sweden. Brittany is a former model turned flight attendant. Because of trauma she endured during her modeling carrier Brittany is left guarded and insecure. Brittany encounters Jonny on a flight as he is coming to make a job offer to Kemi. Upon seeing her Jonny is struck and ruthlessly pursues her regardless of the fact that she has been in a long term relationship of 4 years. Muna is a young Somali girl who was escaping the horror of losing her family as they escape from Mogadishu. She is alone and grieving her losses and loneliness. When she is finally transferred from the safe place that she and the other refugees are staying she finds out that the mysterious benefactor for the monastery that she was staying was none other than Jonny Von Luden. Each woman's story was interesting and I felt for them at the way their black skin was seen and treated in Sweden. In a place that you would expect more acceptance and tolerance they all find the same racist behaviors and tropes that black women have endured for years. I can not say anymore unless I start spilling spoilers but this book left me depressed and confused. These woman were objectified, fetishized, and unseen. So I was not sure what the author was trying to relay with this story. For all that these women risked and endured what they were left with in the end signified that there is no hope for black women so we should just give in and give up. There was an allusion to mental illness but it was not specified or developed. I did enjoy the narrators, they were pretty spot on with giving me a feel for the individual characters. So, yeah I am still trying to process what I listened to.

Captivating

Lives are interwoven in such delicate ways. Experiences are giving such empathy and compassion in describing each one. The mystery of each character slowly unfolds and leaves you feeling understanding and acceptance of each one.

In Every Mirror She’s Black

Such a beautiful story! The ending shocked me though. Yet, I know all stories don’t have happy endings, I was holding out hold for all to be happy.

Intriguing and Interesting Characters

I love how this story wove together real life characters dealing with complex issues. It delivered a fresh look at varied issues including racism, elitism, immigration, people with special needs, and much more. I also loved the great performance delivered in various dialects which augmented the realism.

I loved it!

Overall it was a really good read. I highly recommend. It give insight to being a black woman and how we are often treated and viewed in many places.

Compelling story

From the title, I thought it was going to just be about struggles of being a blank woman and how we are perceived. It discussed so much more and exemplified other areas we can all improve in. It draws you in and has interesting twists and plots. Very good read.

Hard to follow due to various accents

Initially it was difficult to follow due to the various accents, such as UK, some African countries, Sweden and US. Otherwise it was a great read /listen. The ending was very unexpected and crazy and I hope there is a sequel to follow, since there are so many unanswered questions.

One word: Meh

I kept hoping this book would pick up and I’m the last few chapters (30 minutes) it did, only to leave me disappointed. I didn’t feel like there was ever a climax and the ending left me wanting more.

Loved the story, narration not so much.

Loved the story, wasn't expecting the ending though. As an American Black woman, I can't imagine what living in this homogeneous world, where there are no imperfections and every tries to hard to be the same and not see any differences. Poor Muna made me weep. Definitely no happily ever after and hope there is a sequel to wrap up Brit and Kimmie's story. I don't know what accent the narrator was going for as Brittany but it was terrible.

great read

This book kept you engaged. Highly recommended. The characters can to life this their challenges to find their place in