Book Review: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalia Harris

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Publisher: ‎ Atria Books
Publication Date: June 1, 2021
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Publisher’s Description:

Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust.
Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.

It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career.

A whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace, The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist.

Nella Rogers is an editorial assistant at Wagner books and the only Black employee. While in her cubicle one day, she smells her favorite hair product and looks up to see Hazel, the new editorial assistant, who is also Black. Nella is excited to finally have an ally at work – someone who understands the microaggessions and racism she faces in the office every day.

Around the same time that Hazel starts, Nella starts getting notes telling her to leave Wagner. And some other things happen that make her question if Hazel is really her friend or not. Is Hazel the one leaving the notes? It seems like Hazel is sabotaging Nella’s career at times but is she?

The Other Black Girl has been described as a cross between The Devil Wears Prada and Get Out. I think it has strong The Stepford Wives vibes as well. I was actually hoping it would be creepier based on the hype when it first came out.

There is another plotline that takes place in the past that was a little confusing but by the time it converged with the present day, it made sense. I think this is a book where you discover more about it each time you read it. I may read it again someday and see if that’s true.

The author was an editorial assistant at a major publishing house so I’m assuming that her portrayal of what it’s like for a Black person to work at one is accurate. It’s not surprising – the publishing industry has a long way to go in terms of equal treatment of employees and authors of color. I’d be interested to hear what her former employer thinks of the book!