The Other Black Girl

The Other Black Girl is a 2021 novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris. The debut novel follows a woman who is the only Black person working at a publishing company. It was sold at auction to Atria Publishing Group for over $1 million. A television series pilot based on the novel is planned for Hulu.[1]

The Other Black Girl
AuthorZakiya Dalila Harris
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreThriller
PublisherAtria (US)
Bloomsbury (UK)
Publication date
June 2021
ISBN978-1-982160-13-5

Plot

Nella Rogers is an editorial assistant and the only Black employee at Wagner Books, a publishing house in New York City. When Hazel-May McCall, another Black woman, is hired as an editorial assistant, Nella initially believes the she will be an ally. While Hazel seems supportive in their personal interactions, Nella soon finds herself sidelined and her relationships at Wagner strained due to Hazel's advice and interference. Nella receives anonymous notes ordering her to leave Wagner. Nella begins to suspect that Hazel is not what she seems, and searches for answers about both Hazel's and Wagner Books's dark pasts.

Background

Harris cites Passing by Nella Larsen, Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred, Toni Morrison’s Sula, and Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as key influences on the novel.[2] Harris has also cited Jordan Peele's movie Get Out and Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives as inspiration for the novel, which contains elements of horror and satire.[3]

Reception

The Other Black Girl was released on June 1, 2021 and received positive critical reception from outlets such as the Washington Post and Kirkus Reviews.[4][5] The Guardian described it as "a glimpse into the publishing world and its original take on black professional women striving to hold on to their authentic selves and their stresses."[6]

A TV adaptation of this book is currently in development with Tara Duncan, Temple Hill Entertainment, and Hulu.[7] Harris is co-writing the pilot with Rashida Jones.[3]

References
  1. Harris, Elizabeth A. (May 23, 2021). "Her Book Doesn't Go Easy on Publishing. Publishers Ate It Up". The New York Times.
  2. "Zakiya Dalila Harris: 'Publishing is such a spoofable world'". the Guardian. 2021-06-05. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  3. Harris, Elizabeth A. (2021-05-23). "Her Book Doesn't Go Easy on Publishing. Publishers Ate It Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  4. THE OTHER BLACK GIRL | Kirkus Reviews.
  5. "Review | 'The Other Black Girl' should be at the top of your summer reading list". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  6. Porter, Regina (2021-06-16). "The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris review – an audacious debut". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
  7. White, Peter (2020-04-08). "Hulu Strikes Overall Deal With Former Netflix Exec Tara Duncan & Sets Adaptation Of Zakiya Dalila Harris' Novel 'The Other Black Girl'". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-08-31.
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