LUSTER

by Raven Leilani

GUEST REVIEWER

Raven Leilani writes with a brilliant blend of urgency and humor in Luster. Her protagonist Edie finds herself sexually entangled with an older male colleague, who himself is in an open marriage. Edie is a twenty-something, Black woman and the married couple is older and white. Leilani explores the dynamics of this threesome across race and class and propels Luster to a level far beyond what could sound like a soap opera trope.

I found Leilani’s writing almost addictive, largely due to her masterful use of stream of consciousness. The reader experiences Edie’s sharp observations about work, sex and art, unfiltered and from inside her head. Leilani’s characters possess a certain darkness and self-destructive quality. But the novel never feels heavy, thanks to her ability to weave wit and unexpected humor into the details of her writing. In one wonderful scene, Leilani describes the “diversity offerings” in the catalogue of books released by the publisher where Edie works. These, of course, consist mainly of slave narratives and “plucky” Black characters helping white heroines. Here the author cleverly signals to her readers how we need more books like Luster: great novels centered on modern Black women with multi-dimensional, complex lives.

Leilani explores the theme of identity in Luster and which characteristics we inherit or learn and which we choose to reveal or conceal from the world. Through the character of Edie, Leilani zeros in on the specific challenges and pain black women experience as targets of vigilant surveillance and a sense of invisibility in a society steeped in white supremacy.

I came a little late to Luster; it came out last summer. I believe Raven Leilani is an author to watch in the future.

Chloe King is the Brand Relations Lead at Amazon Luxury in New York City and a graduate of Davidson College, where she majored in Sociology and played soccer.  She is also a graduate of The Winsor School.  She is an amazing daughter, beloved sister and adored aunt.  The editors at L&L truly appreciate her contribution this month.