One of Our Kind
When Jasmyn and King move their family to the Black utopian community of Liberty, they expect to find like-minded people interested in social justice activism. Instead, everyone seems mostly indifferent and devoted to the wellness center in the community--which King soon settles into as well. Jasmyn can't shake the feeling that something is off--and things just get weirder when the few allies she has also seem to turn indifferent.
In the same way that Jasmyn felt something was "off" with the community, something felt very off about this book. Jasmyn's concern about racism is heavy-handed and is her whole personality; we never see her as a mother, wife, friend, or professional. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly anti-Black and veers into some truly disturbing directions. None of it is subtle, and while there were some interesting germs of ideas here, the story ignored them and instead landed like an anvil. (I recommend reading the Goodreads reviews for perspectives from Black readers.)
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Publisher’s Description
Jasmyn and King Williams move their family to the planned Black utopia of Liberty, California hoping to find a community of like-minded people, a place where their growing family can thrive. King settles in at once, embracing the Liberty ethos, including the luxe wellness center at the top of the hill, which proves to be the heart of the community. But Jasmyn struggles to find her place. She expected to find liberals and social justice activists striving for racial equality, but Liberty residents seem more focused on booking spa treatments and ignoring the world’s troubles.
Jasmyn’s only friends in the community are equally perplexed and frustrated by most residents’ outlook. Then Jasmyn discovers a terrible secret about Liberty and its founders. Frustration turns to dread as their loved ones start embracing the Liberty way of life.
Will the truth destroy her world in ways she never could have imagined?
Thrilling with insightful social commentary, One of Our Kind explores the ways in which freedom is complicated by the presumptions we make about ourselves and each other.