Bitter Audiobook By Akwaeke Emezi cover art

Bitter

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Bitter

By: Akwaeke Emezi
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
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From National Book Award finalist Akwaeke Emezi comes a companion novel to the critically acclaimed PET that explores both the importance and cost of social revolution--and how youth lead the way.

After a childhood in foster care, Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where she can focus on her painting surrounded by other creative teens. But outside this haven, the streets are filled with protests against the deep injustices that grip the city of Lucille.

Bitter’s instinct is to stay safe within the walls of Eucalyptus . . . but her friends aren’t willing to settle for a world that’s so far away from what they deserve. Pulled between old friendships, her artistic passion, and a new romance, Bitter isn’t sure where she belongs—in the studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?

This timely and riveting novel—a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet—explores the power of youth, protest, and art.

©2022 Akwaeke Emezi (P)2022 Listening Library Difficult Situations Literature & Fiction Multicultural

Critic reviews

★ "A compact, urgent, and divine novel." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★"Emezi once again deftly conjures an ethereal world in which hope is a practice, teen voice and choice are uplifted, and art is validated and lauded as a form of resistance." —SLJ, starred review

★ "[A] timely... story with vivacious queer characters of color who have the agency to define the future for themselves and their city." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Somehow mercilessly impactful and loving, and kind ti readers beautiful

Very unrealistic and very realistic

just read it

So good

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Have you ever met a book that both broke your heart to strengthen it? No? Well then this book is for you. Put aside what makes sense and embrace the chaos within.
I decided to be wildly brave and read this PREQUEL before reading Pet…..so I already know what my next Audible adventure will be.
I’m not giving anything away and I want you to know that this is so well narrated that you’ll forget this is one human. Surprisingly, I almost cried at the acknowledgments…so listen to the whole thing…the author put it there for a REASON! Enjoy…

The most delectable Bitter-ness

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I wish I could remember how this book got into my reading queue . . . It is definitely Young Adult, which is not a category I lean toward. Having said that, I do think it would be a good book for young teens, particularly any teen who is interested in or involved in activism.

Themes touched on include non-violent protest and self-care for activists. I liked the way it normalized both wanting to be involved in protests AND being afraid/uncomfortable with direct involvement. It definitely speaks to teens growing up during the George Floyd protests. I've been interacting with teens lately and they seem much more in tune with their own mental wellness and that of their friends than I was at their age; it's heartening to see that the next generation has advanced in terms of this important issue.

[I listened to this as narrated by Bahni Turpin who did a fine job giving characters different accents and bringing the story to life. ]

good book for teen activists

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I was surprised to have the same response to Bitter as I did to Pet, where I want to buy it for all my loved ones and tell everyone I know to read it. Not just a captivating story, although it certainly is that, but a thousand tiny lessons about the human experience and the society in which we live. Thanks to Akwaeke Emezi for sharing your gifts with the world

Just read it or listen

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I loved this read and I’ll definitely be reading more thank you . This book brought so many emotions 🖤

How thoughtful

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Important themes, great for conversation with young people about social movements, enjoyed the magical realism

Great treatment of important themes

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What a wonderful story and two The incredible talent of Bonnie Turpin to bring life to these characters!

Lovely story!

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If everyone lived with this story in their heart we could make it real. Let’s all disappear into this world together. Thank you!

Please listen/read this book. Please!

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Thank you for making this work! This is both brilliant and resonant. This narration was also perfect!

Fantastic!

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This book is phenomenal and heart wrenching. I love the character development and continually got caught up in the relations of the characters! So glad to have the back story of “Pet” and the families from that book. Absolutely loved this book/read/listen!

Whoa and WOW!!!

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