The List

A Novel

By: Yomi Adegoke

Narrated by: Sheila Atim, Arinzé Kene

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK!

Recommended by The New York Times • Vogue • People • NPR • Vulture • The Guardian • Cosmopolitan • Rolling Stone • Publishers Weekly • The Sunday Times • and many more!

In this sensational, thrilling debut novel, a high-profile female journalist’s world is upended when her fiancé’s name turns up in a viral social media post—a nuanced, daring, and timely exploration of the real-world impact of online life, from award-winning journalist and internationally bestselling author Yomi Adegoke.

“Brilliantly written, intricately plotted and incredibly clever. Once I started, I could not put it down, and I am sure I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.”—Abi Daré, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice

Ola Olajide, a celebrated journalist at Womxxxn magazine, is set to marry the love of her life in one month’s time. Young, beautiful, and successful—she and her fiancé Michael are considered the “couple goals” of their social network and seem to have it all. That is, until one morning when they both wake up to the same message: “Oh my god, have you seen The List?”

It began as a crowdsourced collection of names and somehow morphed into an anonymous account posting allegations on social media. Ola would usually be the first to support such a list—she’d retweet it, call for the men to be fired, write article after article. Except this time, Michael’s name is on it.

Compulsively enjoyable, wildly entertaining, and filled with sharp social insight, The List is a piercing and dazzlingly clear-sighted debut about secrets, lies, and the internet. Perfect for fans of Such a Fun Age, Luster, and My Dark Vanessa, this is a searing portrait of these modern times and our morally complicated online culture.

“Topical, heartfelt, provocative and wise, Yomi Adegoke’s characters are tenderly realized . . . the entire cast of this ultimate millennial novel springs vividly to life.”—Bernardine Evaristo, Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other

“The List asks ‘what if?’ and the answers will surely get people thinking. A vibrantly told exploration of the messy interface between virtual and offline relationships. A page-turning tale!”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

©2023 Yomi Adegoke (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Not worth it

The hype around this novel is hyperbolic. Too bad I fell for it. Aimed at the instagram - twitter-podcast -dependent youth, this story delivers all the psycho battle & drama they live for. If you are interested in literary fiction, do not waste time on this trite drivel.

Lengthy

The narrator was great!! The book was at times was too wordy. It took too long to reach a climax or resolution. Also it was a little bit of a cliffhanger but not enough for me to want to read a sequel.

Enjoyed

Very thoughtful about what havoc the internet can have on relationships. Also as a 46 yo helped me to understand the generation 20 years younger than I. Narrators were fantastic.

Relevant & Thought Provkoing

Enjoyed the character development and the 360 format alternating the point of views. Waiting for the sequel.

Brilliant Look at Me Too Movement

First of all, I pre-ordered this book because I have strong opinions about the moral hazard of social media use and the harm it does. This book did not disappoint when it came to nuance and I couldn't stop listening.

I thoroughly enjoyed the accents and the vernacular. As an Afro-caribbean, it was refreshing to hear the story told by characters I recognize. This book would have worked just as well in any culture, but I felt at home among these characters.

If I'm honest, I felt some of the characters' conviction that what they were doing was morally correct to be simplistic and shallow in some places. The black and white thinking of young people (I'm almost 50) today is frustrating and at times alarming in their relentless pursuit of destruction as justice. But this is what made the book such a page turner and a fascinating read; Adegoke turns the spotlight on a generation that thinks they have it all figured out and are crippled with indecision when real life happens.

I absolutely loved this book and I think it could be an excellent addition to a contemporary literature class at any university.

Can’t wait to see it on the screen. DON’t eff it UP!!

Loved the book and the various perspectives!
Thought provoking and honest.
Bring back critical thinking and honesty.
A dose of grace wouldn’t hurt.

I miss my friends in my ears already 😞

Good Story But ...

I enjoyed the read, which I was led to, having seen the author interviewed on multiple talk shows. The only reason my rating isn't 5 Stars is because in the interviews there was much ado about the final chapter. Had there been no reference to it, perhaps I would have enjoyed the same level of shock and awe as the talk show hosts! Instead, it was a bit of a letdown; all the TV hubbub had sent me on the path of reality, just not the who of it!

Timely

This book showcases how social media can be both positive and destructive. It covers romantic love, friendship, and family relationships between imperfect people. The voice actors were also talented.

Brilliant and complex

A truly impressive debut novel, and even more so as this is the author’s first attempt at fiction! I found the treatment of a theme that is usually cast in black-and-white terms to be extremely nuanced … as it should be. The characters are treated in a deeply sympathetic but also brutally honest way that I appreciated very much. The book is NOT too long in any way. To properly convey the psychological complexity of the plot and issues covered here absolutely required this length.
The ending is perfect; I don’t understand others having issues with it.
The narration is also unusually good and spot-on in tone and accents (though I am an American judging this so perhaps a person from the UK would not agree). I really enjoyed listening to both actors reading their parts and found them engaging, especially Ms Atim who simply sparkles as a narrator.
I usually don’t binge books unless they’re beloved favorites or classics since I don’t become engaged enough in the story or the writing, but this book I listened to in just 2 days and was on the edge of my seat throughout. Brava Ms Adegoke! I can’t wait for your next novel. :-)

The List - strong beginning

We begin with a black British couple who are planning on spending the rest of their lives together. The backdrop of the book is centered around the countdown of their wedding but the gloom of a threatening list of female predators. Most of the book deals with the fallout of being on The list and how society and the couple deals with it.

The author does well in building the lives of the people but after a while I wanted them to just deal with the fallout and see if they are resilient enough in their relationship. A major disappointment is the pacing of the plot and twist.