Although this is her first novel, Yomi Adegoke is a successful columnist and broadcaster and that shows in this topical book, rooted equally in African culture and social media. It's an unusual mix.
The plot is simple. Ola, a successful journalist, is about to be married to Michael who is just starting a new job in media promotion when the List of the title is published to Twitter. It's a list of people working in the new media who are identified by anonymous people as being sex pests and much worse. Michael is named.
From this point, both their lives implode as the information spreads exponentially is copied, reposted and endlessly discussed. Ola's entire image is based on her feminist core while the predominant view about Michael is that he might be guilty. Meanwhile, the countdown to their wedding day continues.
The damage done to both of the characters spreads to their friends and family and their workplaces. The book is a cautionary tale about the capacity of social media to destroy people, even on the basis of innuendo. A famous footballer is also caught up in the media storm allowing the author to show that there really is no way out.
This is a self-consciously trendy book. The places people go, the clothes they wear and the things they do all come with labels and, frequently, the book slips into a succession of social media posts and emojis. This might not be to everyone's taste but it adds to the contemporary immediacy of the story as does the Nigerian and Ghanaian setting.
In the end, most people survive and there is a kind of moral but the toll taken on Ola and Michael is considerable. It's a good read, perhaps aimed at the trendy London commuter rather than the rural housewife but there's a lot in it to talk about - even if you just read it as a warning!
(The List is published by 4th Estate. Thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley for an advance copy.)
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