We Are Not Like Them

A Novel

By: Christine Pride, Jo Piazza

Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Shayna Small, Kevin R. Free, Chanté McCormick

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK

Named a Best Book Pick of 2021 by Harper’s Bazaar and Real Simple

Named a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by People, Essence, New York Post, PopSugar, New York Newsday, Entertainment Weekly, Town & Country, Bustle, Fortune, and Book Riot

Told from alternating perspectives, this “propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship” (People) follows two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event.

Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia.

But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend.

Like Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, We Are Not Like Them takes “us to uncomfortable places—in the best possible way—while capturing so much of what we are all thinking and feeling about race. A sharp, timely, and soul-satisfying novel” (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author) that is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship.

©2021 Christine Pride and Jo Piazza. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Shayna Small and Marin Ireland provide a nuanced and deeply emotional narration of this audio page-turner, ably assisted by brief but well-crafted performances by Kevin R. Free and Chante McCormick. The narrators splendidly illuminate this timely exploration of race and the enduring importance of friendship." (AudioFile Magazine)

These Author’s UNDERSTOOD the assignment!

1st let me say that this is one of those books that tells the story in the realest, most raw way. You can’t really understand the complexity of what AA are trying to convey when we ask “DO YOU SEE ME?” when it’s put in action form (i.e. a movie or documentary). Let me explain, when you are watching something on screen you are beholden to the emotions, and reactions, of the character on the screen. When you are listening to these stories everything you experience is based on YOUR reactions and emotions, provided that the story teller is a “story teller”. This book will have you vacillating between “WTF” and “I feel…..” to rage, to exasperation, to relief then finally to some sense of understanding. I do feel this book purposefully emphasized the story telling mostly from the perspective of the officers Wife, rightfully so. To see how the relationship between the two bests friends is an emotional ride. I enjoyed the book ALOT!! The narrators were nothing short of AWESOME!!!

A Thought Provoking Conversation Starter

We Are Not Like Them examines the shooting of an unarmed Black teen from three perspectives: the teenager and his family, the officer and his family, and the reporter covering the story who is a lifelong friend of the officer's wife. By delving into the impact that the shooting has on all involved, this timely and powerful story provides a unique look at race and relationships as well as forgiveness.

This audiobook is a memorable listening experience. Each perspective is expressed in a relatable, raw and honest manner by the narrators.

Excellent!

A tragic story told with depth, understanding, sensitivity and grace. I am certain it will become a classic. It goes far beyond superficial analysis about race in America. It is, at its heart, a story about love and healing, set against the backdrop of the continued slaughter of Black Americans by police. #Blacklivesmatter.

Listen to this audiobook!!

I loved listening to this audiobook. The narrators were phenomenal, the characters relatable, and the story all too real. Great pick GMA!

Story resignation with me

Riley resonated with me on so many levels..
I have a friendship of 30 years, she is white and I black.
There are so many situations I and thoughts that I could relate too.
I will read this time instead because of the parts that resonated with me. I am 67, many of the thoughts in the book have helped understand , accept and validate what I have been feeling.

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Thought provoking. I cried, I laughed… kept my attention throughout. Good read for females who have close friends from different ethnicities.

I'm not sure

I'm not sure what I was waiting for, but I didn't get it. The story, while timely, didn't give much.

Disappointing

The plot is compelling; but the story is drawn out and loses focus on the issue at hand, the killing of a young Black boy by 2 white policemen. The inane chatter of the white woman & the black woman gets in the way of what could have been a transformative reading experience.

great book

Enjoyed this book, if not for book club likely would not have chosen it. Was good, & sometimes hard, to hear all perspectives of this story.

A must read, but be prepared to cry

This is a well written novel. It was so beautiful and so touching, that a review would not do it justice.