We Are Not Like Them is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that takes an unflinching look at race, friendship, and the complexities of navigating the world today. Written by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza, this book explores the intricacies of a lifelong bond between two women—one Black and one white—whose friendship is forever changed by a tragic event. It is an evocative and riveting story that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever grappled with the complexities of race, friendship, and loyalty.
The novel is told through alternating perspectives between Jen and Riley, two women who have been best friends since childhood. The story opens with the two women living lives that, while different, are deeply connected. Jen is married and finally expecting a child after years of trying, while Riley is on the cusp of a major career milestone as one of the first Black female anchors for a top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia. Their bond seems unshakable, a sisterhood forged over decades of shared history.
However, everything changes when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. This tragic event sets off a chain reaction that forces both women to confront the painful and often uncomfortable realities of race, privilege, and loyalty. Jen’s world is turned upside down as her pregnancy, her marriage, and her relationship with Riley hang in the balance. Meanwhile, Riley, as a journalist covering the case, must navigate the tension between her professional ambitions and her personal feelings about the incident. The story explores not just the impact of the shooting on the women’s friendship, but also how it affects their relationships with the world around them.
What makes We Are Not Like Them such a powerful read is the depth with which it explores race in America. The authors tackle this difficult subject matter with empathy, nuance, and realism. They do not shy away from the complexities of systemic racism, white privilege, and the ways in which these issues seep into even the most intimate spaces of our lives. The novel takes on questions of identity, community, and how we see each other in the context of a racially divided world.
The characters of Jen and Riley are both well-developed and relatable. Jen, who is white, faces the challenge of reconciling her love for her husband with the harsh realities of the situation he’s involved in. Her struggle to come to terms with what has happened is painful to witness, and it’s easy to empathize with her as she grapples with the profound consequences of her husband’s actions. Riley, on the other hand, is a Black woman who is forced to confront the reality that even her closest relationships are not immune to the pervasive impact of race. Her loyalty to Jen is tested as she navigates her own feelings of hurt, betrayal, and confusion. Their friendship, once a source of comfort, becomes a battleground where love and loyalty are tested in ways neither woman could have ever anticipated.
At its core, We Are Not Like Them is a story about enduring friendship. Despite the profound challenges that Jen and Riley face, their connection remains at the heart of the novel. The authors explore how friendship—especially one that spans years and is built on a foundation of mutual love and understanding—can survive even the most difficult and divisive issues. The novel reminds us that relationships, especially those that involve deep emotional ties, are complicated and sometimes messy, but they can also be the source of immense growth, healing, and reconciliation.
The book is a poignant meditation on how race and privilege shape our identities and our relationships. It deftly addresses the ways in which systemic racism infiltrates every aspect of our lives, even within the confines of a close friendship. But it also offers a hopeful message about the possibility of change, redemption, and the power of understanding. We Are Not Like Them is not just a novel about two women trying to save their friendship; it is a story about how we can learn, grow, and ultimately heal from even the most difficult situations.
Christine Pride and Jo Piazza have written a novel that is both heartbreaking and redemptive, thoughtful and provocative. We Are Not Like Them is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of race, friendship, and the human condition. The authors’ ability to handle such weighty themes with sensitivity, grace, and emotional depth makes this book a standout. It is a timely and important read that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.
Rating: 5 Stars – A beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel about race, friendship, and the struggles that come with navigating our complicated world. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our relationships and the impact of systemic racism on our lives.
