I’ll be honest, These Heathens by Mia McKenzie had me laughing out loud and thinking hard, sometimes in the same chapter. Reviews rave about its warmth and humor—The New York Times calls it “shining with humor,” and the energy is real.
If you love stories about Black women’s ambition, coming of age, and the wild leap of leaving home, you’ll feel right at home here.
Key Takeaways
These Heathens has funny parts and serious ideas. This makes the story fun and important.
The book shows the hard times and hopes of a young Black girl.
She grows up in Georgia during the 1960s.
This makes the story easy to connect with and strong.
People who like stories about growing up will enjoy this book.
People who like history and different voices will also like it.
First Impressions
Overall Value
I have to give props to These Heathens by Mia McKenzie for grabbing my attention right from the first page. I started reading late at night, thinking I’d just peek at a chapter, but I ended up laughing and flipping pages until my eyes hurt. The story feels alive, with a mix of humor and real-life struggles that made me care about every character.
Here’s what stood out to me:
The synopsis pulled me in fast. I wanted to know what would happen next.
The coming-of-age story, set during the Civil Rights era, felt fresh and important.
Doris’s journey and the cast around her made the world feel real and full.
The book balances funny moments with tough topics, which kept me hooked.
I found myself wishing the story wouldn’t end.
To break it down, both numbers and feelings matter when I judge a book. Check out this quick table:
Aspect | Qualitative Evaluations | Quantitative Evaluations |
|---|---|---|
Focus | Personal reactions, story quality | Ratings, reviews, sales |
Data Type | Reader opinions, emotions | Star ratings, survey stats |
Benefits | Shows what makes the book special | Measures how many liked it |
Who Should Read It
If you’re wondering if this book is for you, here’s what I noticed:
Younger readers and those who love coming-of-age stories will connect with Doris.
Fans of historical fiction, especially set in the 1960s, will find a lot to love.
Readers who want to see Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ voices front and center should pick this up.
If you like books that mix humor with serious themes, this one delivers.
People who enjoy sharing book reviews or chatting about stories online will have plenty to say.
These Heathens by Mia McKenzie left me thinking about family, dreams, and what it means to grow up. I couldn’t put it down.
Plot
Setting and Time
I felt like I stepped right into rural Georgia, 1960. The story’s world feels real because the author packs in so many details. I noticed the clothes, the way people talk, and even the cars on the road. The small-town life, the heat, and the church gatherings all ring true. I could almost hear the music and taste the food.
The author uses real historical figures as side characters, which makes the story feel even more believable.
Names fit the time, and the way people travel matches what you’d expect in the early ‘60s.
The social rules and attitudes shape every scene. I saw how the characters’ choices fit the time and place.
Note: The setting isn’t just a backdrop. It shapes the plot and the characters’ dreams. If you took away the 1960s, the story would lose its heart.
Main Conflict
The main conflict grabbed me right away. Doris wants more than her small town offers. She faces pressure from family, church, and the world outside. The story builds tension as Doris tries to break free and chase her own dreams.
Here’s a quick look at how the plot keeps things moving:
Plot Element | Narrative Role |
|---|---|
Staging | Sets up Doris’s world |
Plot Progression | Shows her choices and risks |
Cognitive Tension | Peaks as Doris faces hard truths |
I found myself rooting for Doris as she faces tough choices. The plot’s energy comes from her struggle to find her place and voice. Every chapter made me want to see what she’d do next.
Characters
Doris Steele in These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
I have to give props to Doris Steele. She’s only seventeen, but she feels so real to me. Doris lives in rural Georgia in 1960, and her voice jumps off the page. I found myself rooting for her from the start. She’s smart, stubborn, and funny, but she’s also scared of what might happen if she steps outside the lines her family and town draw for her.
Doris wants more than what her small town offers.
She questions everything—her church, her family, even herself.
Her dreams feel big, but the world keeps telling her to stay small.
Reading about Doris made me remember my own teenage years. I felt her hope and her fear. Sometimes, I wanted to reach into the book and give her a pep talk. Other times, I just wanted to listen.
Note: Doris’s journey in These Heathens by Mia McKenzie shows how hard it can be to grow up when everyone expects you to stay the same.
Supporting Cast
The people around Doris make her story even stronger. Each character brings something different to the table. I loved how their relationships changed as Doris started to change.
Doris’s mother pushes her to follow the rules, but you can tell she loves her deeply.
Friends and neighbors show both kindness and judgment, making Doris question who she can trust.
Some characters challenge Doris’s ideas about gender, and love.
I laughed at their jokes, rolled my eyes at their stubbornness, and sometimes felt my heart break for them. The supporting cast makes the world of These Heathens by Mia McKenzie feel full and alive.
Themes in These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
Identity and Ambition
I have to admit, reading about Doris’s dreams in These Heathens by Mia McKenzie made me think about my own big plans as a teenager. Doris wants more than her small town expects from her. She feels the weight of her family’s hopes, her church’s rules, and the world’s limits. I saw her ambition jump off the page, even when she felt scared or unsure.
Doris’s story shows how hard it is for Black girls to dream big in a world that tries to keep them small.
She questions what she’s supposed to want and who she’s supposed to be.
The book doesn’t just show her ambition—it lets her be messy, funny, and real.
I noticed the author uses small moments—like Doris sneaking out or arguing with her mom—to show how ambition grows. It’s not always loud. Sometimes, it’s a quiet hope that things could be different.
“I want to see what’s out there,” Doris says. That line stuck with me. It’s simple, but it carries so much weight.
I’ve read other books that explore Black women’s ambition, like The Other Black Girl and Waiting to Exhale. Those stories, like this one, show how identity and dreams get tangled up with family, history, and the world’s expectations.
Beverly Guy-Sheftall’s work on Black women’s literature helped me see how important these stories are. Pearl K. Ford’s research also talks about how ambition and power shape Black women’s lives. Doris fits right into that tradition.
Here’s a quick look at how other novels handle these themes:
Novel Title | Author | Themes Related to Identity and Ambition |
|---|---|---|
The Other Black Girl | Zakiya Dalila Harris | Identity, loyalty, ambition in white spaces |
In Every Mirror She’s Black | Lola Akinmade Akerstrom | Career struggles, self-acceptance, societal judgment |
Waiting to Exhale | Terry McMillan | Identity, sisterhood, ambition |
The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, Beloved | Toni Morrison | Ambition with complex Black female characters |
Doris’s journey stands out because she’s allowed to want more, even when it feels impossible. That ambition feels both chilling and hopeful.
Style
Humor and Energy
I have to give props to the way These Heathens by Mia McKenzie uses humor. The jokes sneak up on me, sometimes in the middle of a tense moment. I found myself laughing out loud, then pausing to think about what just happened.
The author’s style reminds me of books like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and A Confederacy of Dunces, where the comedy feels smart and sharp, not just silly.
The chapter titles and little pre-chapter notes set a mood that’s both dark and funny.
The language pops with strange, old-fashioned words and local slang. It makes the story feel alive and a little unpredictable.
Metaphors and similes add a twist to everyday moments, making even small scenes memorable.
“Humor is hard to explain, but it’s everywhere in this book. It makes the tough stuff easier to face.”
Emotional Impact
Reading These Heathens by Mia McKenzie left me thinking about my own family and dreams. The emotional punch comes from the way the story lets me see the world through Doris’s eyes. I felt her hope, her fear, and her stubbornness.
Book clubs and discussion groups say this story sparks big feelings and deep talks.
I kept a journal while reading, just to keep track of my reactions.
The emotional impact changes with each reader. My own past shaped how I connected with Doris.
Note: The story doesn’t tell me how to feel. It lets me find my own way, which made the experience even more personal.
Pros and Cons
Standout Qualities
I have to give props to this book for pulling me in right away. Here’s what really stood out for me:
The writing style feels sharp and full of energy. I laughed out loud more than once.
Doris’s voice is unforgettable. She’s funny, stubborn, and so real that I felt like I knew her.
The story mixes humor with tough topics. That balance kept me turning pages late into the night.
I noticed the book’s buzz online. Reviews, word of mouth, and even some celebrity shout-outs made me curious before I started reading.
The timing of the release and the cover design caught my eye. Sometimes, those little things make a difference.
I saw that the book’s genre and the author’s reputation helped it reach a wide audience. It even hit some bestseller lists.
Potential Drawbacks
To be fair, no book is perfect. Here are a few things that bugged me or might bother other readers:
Some parts felt a bit unfinished. I wanted more answers about certain characters.
I noticed that online reviews focus a lot on feelings and less on deep literary analysis. That’s not always a bad thing, but it can make it hard to judge the book’s “literary value.”
The rise of social media reviews means everyone has an opinion. Sometimes, it’s tough to know who to trust.
Critics argue that the flood of non-professional reviews can drown out thoughtful criticism. I get why some people miss the old-school book critics.
The story’s mix of humor and serious moments might not work for everyone. A few readers might want a more traditional style.
I always look for books that make me feel something, even if they aren’t perfect. This one did that, but I know not every reader will agree.
I have to give props to These Heathens by Mia McKenzie for its sharp writing, bold humor, and a protagonist who feels real.
Fans of coming-of-age, historical fiction, or LGBTQ+ stories will love this one.
This book feels relevant and honest.
Dionysus Review Rating: 7/10
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is “These Heathens” a good pick for book clubs?
Absolutely! The mix of humor and tough topics sparked some of my best group chats. Everyone found something to relate to or debate.
Does the story focus more on history or character growth?
I felt the character growth took center stage. Doris’s journey pulled me in. The 1960s setting just made her choices feel even bigger.
Will I enjoy this if I don’t usually read historical fiction?
Yes, you might! The voice and energy kept me hooked. I forgot I was reading about the past because Doris felt so real.
