We Are Not Like Them: A Novel

“We Are Not Like Them” centers around the aftermath of the tragic shooting and killing of unarmed Justin Dwyer, a 14 year old black youth. The story gives alternating narratives by lifelong friends Leroya “Riley” Wilson, a Black news reporter & Jenny “Jen” Murphy, pregnant wife of one of the white police officers involved in the shooting. This was a standout novel and again was a great way to bring up discussions involving race, discrimination, and unconscious bias. This is the second book that I have read by these dynamic duo authors. I was not disappointed and plan to seek out more from these two women who have messages that need to be heard, and are so on point for the divides that strain our current cultural atmosphere.

Meh. I really wanted a unique, thought provoking novel, but this one didn’t quite do it for me. The authors left a lot unsaid and pretty much danced around so many issues of social injustices and interracial relationships/friendships. I just felt like this novel had so much potential, but the authors kept it very surface level instead of digging deeper into the issues.

I didn’t find this book as compelling or thought provoking as “Small Great Things” or “An American Marriage.” Reviews compared this book to those and I found both those books amazing so I was disappointed with this read. I found Riley and her family far more relatable and real than Jen and her family. It was hard for me to understand how Jen and Riley stayed friends with the lack of real conversation about race that stood between them.

This is a wonderful read. I would recommend this book to all book clubs and friends.

Lovedddd this book. Great conversations with the bookclub.