Candice Carty-Williams is back in the spotlight with the highly anticipated sequel to her debut novel 'Queenie', seven years after its publishing sensation status catapulted her onto the literary scene. Like a heavyweight champion preparing for the ultimate showdown, the author has been quietly building momentum and gathering her thoughts on what comes next for this iconic character.
It's no mean feat to revisit a creation that sold over half a million copies and earned Carty-Williams the distinction of being the first Black writer to win Book of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2020. The original novel was also adapted for television by Channel 4, cementing its cultural impact and securing Queenie's place as one of the most talked-about literary heroines of our time.
So what made Carty-Williams tick when deciding to revisit Queenie? We learn that the author initially wanted to 'flex a little bit' and try something else with her 2022 novel, 'People Person'. But it wasn't until she found a story that would 'blow her life up again' for the protagonist – while also acknowledging the strong attachment readers, particularly Black women, feel towards Queenie – that the writing started to flow once more.
The new novel picks up with Queenie in her early 30s, older and ostensibly wiser, but still prone to making life-altering decisions. She's now entangled in a 'situationship' with a noncommittal man dubbed 'TFL man', while simultaneously trying to rekindle a romance with Frank, her past love. The familiar supporting cast – the Corgis – will also return, and Queenie's journey takes an unexpected turn as she investigates Black maternal healthcare, leading to some disturbing discoveries about her own fertility.
The secret to Queenie's enduring appeal lies in her raw, unfiltered portrayal. She's not a perfect heroine; she makes questionable choices, experiences bad relationships, and exhibits self-sabotaging tendencies – making it impossible for readers to put the book down. Carty-Williams revels in this complexity, stating she enjoys 'having fun with her readers' and shunning the idea of writing 'boring people'.
The author believes that Queenie's relatability is what keeps readers hooked, as well as her very nature as a 'drama queen'. This trait makes her character compelling and impossible to ignore. The return to Queenie in her 30s promises new stages of life, fresh challenges, and growth for a character who has become a touchstone for many.
The publishing landscape has undergone significant changes since Queenie's breakthrough, with increased attention on diversity – making the return of this beloved and impactful character all the more eagerly anticipated by both long-time fans and new readers.