The Unfortunates

By: J K Chukwu

Narrated by: Deanna Anthony

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Dear Reader,

It has come to my attention that smoking kills, along with police, loner white boys, and looks. While embroiled in the process of trying to live, I have written this honors thesis. It is dedicated to the first years who haven’t yet died from alcohol poisoning, exhaustion, or overdosing. This work has been a labor of love and of hate. In it, you will find juxtaposition, verisimilitude, French, Freud, and anything else I’ve wasted 60K a year to learn.

I would like to thank my advisors: Mr. White Supremacy, Mr. Capitalism, Ms. Racism, and, of course, my Life Partner for all the guidance they have provided during this process.

Set in the mind of a young Black woman who is losing it, THE UNFORTUNATES is a darkly funny debut about the realities of elitist institutions from an exceptional new writer.

©2012 J K Chukwu (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘[A] playful, powerful debut… Speaking to the pressure Black people often feel to stifle their feelings in predominantly white spaces… A poignant reminder of how tight a hold mental illness can have’ Zakiya Dalila Harris, The New York Times Book Review

‘Chukwu meticulously and brilliantly balances tough topics like depression with biting comedy, crafting a narrative about a young woman trying to survive and help others do the same’ Shondaland

‘Chukwu has written an extraordinary coming-of-age novel, with a fascinating protagonist and a tone that is just right for her material. The book’s dark atmosphere is enhanced by the presence of the author's own black-and-white illustrations. The result is a tour de force’ Booklist (starred review)