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TL;DR: Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, working at a national newspaper and trying to fit into worlds that do not always welcome her. After her long-term white boyfriend asks for a “break,” Queenie spirals into bad choices and growing anxiety. With the help of friends, family and therapy, she slowly learns to face her past and value herself.
Table of Contents
Queenie at a Glance
| Author | Candice Carty-Williams |
| First published | 2019 |
| Type | Literary fiction |
| Best for | readers who want a funny, honest novel about identity, mental health and modern dating |
Queenie is the debut novel by Candice Carty-Williams, published in 2019. It won Book of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2020, making her the first Black author to win. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes racism, sexual harassment, miscarriage, childhood trauma, anxiety and panic attacks.
Main Characters
- Queenie Jenkins: A young journalist in London.
- Tom: Queenie's white boyfriend.
- Kyazike: Queenie's loyal, outspoken friend.
- Darcy and Cassandra: Queenie's other close friends.
- Queenie's grandparents: Strict but loving Jamaican elders.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A break
Queenie and Tom have been together for years, but his family makes racist comments, and Tom does not defend her. After an argument, Tom suggests a break. Queenie moves out and rents a bad room. She also learns that she had a miscarriage she did not know about. She is lonely and heartbroken.
Bad choices
Queenie seeks comfort in casual relationships with men who treat her badly, fetishize her or disrespect her. She hides her pain from her friends. At work, she wants to write about issues such as Black Lives Matter, but her editors do not take her seriously. Her performance slips.
Friends
Queenie's friends, Kyazike, Darcy and Cassandra, support her in a group chat called “the Corgis.” Kyazike, who is also Black, understands her experiences of racism. Darcy, who is white, tries hard to help. Cassandra makes mistakes that hurt Queenie. Queenie realizes she cannot keep pretending everything is fine.
Breaking down
Queenie's anxiety becomes so severe that she has panic attacks at work and is sent home. She moves back in with her grandparents, who are strict and do not believe in therapy. She begins to see a therapist, Janet, and begins to face childhood trauma, including her mother's abusive partner and her own feelings of abandonment.
Recovery
Slowly, Queenie heals. She reconnects with her mother and understands her better. She accepts that her relationship with Tom is over. Her grandparents begin to accept her therapy. The novel ends with Queenie stronger and more confident, starting to choose people who respect her.
5 Key Takeaways
- Mental health matters.
- Racism affects relationships and work.
- Friends can be a lifeline.
- Healing takes time and support.
- Self-worth must come from within.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Asking for help is a form of strength.
- Family can surprise you.
- You deserve to be treated with respect.
Who Should Read Queenie?
Read Queenie if you enjoy funny, honest novels about modern life, identity and mental health. It suits adults.
About Candice Carty-Williams
Candice Carty-Williams (born 1989) is a British writer who grew up in South London. She worked in publishing and created a short story prize for underrepresented writers. Her second novel, People Person, was published in 2022. Queenie was adapted into a Channel 4 and Hulu television series in 2024.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Queenie:
- Why does Queenie make the choices she does after the breakup?
- How does racism shape her experiences?
- What role does therapy play in her healing?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Queenie is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Queenie, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is funny and painful, and Queenie is a memorable heroine.
Check price of Queenie on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: race and identity in modern life
- Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney: young love and identity
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo: the lives of Black British women
Related: 15 Books Like Queenie You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Queenie about?
A young Jamaican British woman in London deals with heartbreak, racism and anxiety.
Who wrote it?
Candice Carty-Williams, in 2019.
Where is it set?
London.
Who is Tom?
Queenie's ex-boyfriend.
What is the Corgis?
Queenie's group chat with her friends.
Did it win awards?
Yes, Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.
Is there a TV series?
Yes, a 2024 series.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 330 pages.
Is it funny?
Yes, though it deals with serious topics.
Is it compared to Bridget Jones?
Yes, often called a “Black Bridget Jones.”
Does it discuss therapy?
Yes, in detail.
Does Queenie end up with Tom?
No. The story is about her healing and learning to value herself.
Is Queenie worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a funny, honest novel about identity, mental health and modern dating. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.