What a superb book, layers build up creating vivid characters with impactful threads weave together showing us Queenie’s life. It isn’t easy to share our individual cultural norm, far easier to see the difference by looking at another’s. Candice welcomes all into Queenie’s world giving plenty of opportunities to recognise, smile with and respect Queenie’s cultural heritage (I so know I am a privileged white woman writing this). From the workie who needs Urban Dictionary, to the descriptions of family values, Candice offers everyone an opportunity to be part of Queenie’s story.

‘Queenie’ is a skilful and complex work that contains graphic potential trigger scenes, while leading you through them to a point of safety. The continual racism, misogyny as well as mental health issues are implied and articulated through Queenie’s experiences, while Candice also shows us the optimism and love in her family, ‘corgis’ and workies that might just get her through.