Diary of a Confused Feminist

October 30, 2023
In this winsome comedy told via diary entries spanning four months by British author Weston (Murder on a School Night), Kat Evans, 15 and cued white, balances her desire to be an “excellent feminist” with her crush on popular new student and model Hot Josh, who reads as white. Kat relates her yearning to advocate for the #MeToo movement following the 2018 Golden Globes as well as awkward happenings experienced by her and her best friends Millie, of Greek heritage, and Sam, of Trinidadian descent, such as Kat accidently flinging her menstrual cup onto the school playground. When Millie and Sam acquire boyfriends, and Kat’s white-coded neighbor Matt ghosts her, her confidence is shaken; subsequent lies and a hurtful prank from a school bully prompt Kat to turn further inward and withdraw from her friends, dramatically affecting her mental health. Though some romantic tropes wear thin, Kat’s struggle to balance her personal life with her call to activism is affecting. Weston addresses sensitive issues of anxiety, compulsive behaviors, and depression with clarity and tact through intricate and deftly timed comedic scenarios, as well as Kat’s engaging voice, which evokes Bridget Jones by way of a self-deprecating adolescent. Ages 14–up.

Starred review from March 29, 2024

Gr 9 Up-Fifteen-year-old Kat's diary is an edgier take on the foibles of being a teen girl, similar to Louise Rennison's Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging. She and best friends Sam and Millie decide to embrace feminism and become activists at their school, but their efforts don't always go as planned. The cast of characters is familiar: best friends who get boyfriends, the gay best guy friend, a bullying Queen Bee, and a crush on the school hottie. Kat's quirky behaviors, such as touching her light switch three times before bed, hint at underlying issues. The feeling of being replaced by her best friends' new boyfriends spirals into an overwhelming sense of failure. Over the space of a few months, bombarded with change, bullying, and social media, the British teen has more than quirks, but true signs of anxiety and depression. In a moment of despair, she texts her parents something is wrong, and they find her a therapist. Her family, friends, and their boyfriends provide support as she works on her mental health issues. Kat moves forward with small steps and rekindles her writing and feminist activism. Her story is honest and at times painful, but has several amusing moments, along with frank discussions of the body (e.g., vagina vs. vulva), bullying, and sexting. Profanity is sprinkled throughout. VERDICT A first buy for dealing with topics often seen as taboo, from periods to mental health, in an honest and engaging story that leaves room for sequels.-Tamara Saarinen

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