The Frightened

The Frightened is an unconventional coming-of-age story of an existence in a world shaped by one’s blackness and womanhood. Through both autobiographical and poetic storytelling, the novella successfully portrays the challenges that come with finding oneself amongst the complexities of love, loss, trauma and searching for a sense of belonging while being black and femme-bodied. Although challenging at times, the book’s fragmented nature and poetic language innovatively highlight the importance of creativity as a medium for healing and hope.