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Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley: A Haunting and Unforgettable Novel

Isaias Blair

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Nightcrawling: A novel

by Leila Mottley

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2114 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	277 pages

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of Kiara, a young Black woman who is forced to sell her body to survive. The novel is a searing indictment of the systemic racism and poverty that plague American society.

Kiara is a bright and ambitious young woman, but she is also poor and Black. She lives in a run-down apartment with her mother and younger brother, and she has to work two jobs just to make ends meet. When her mother loses her job, Kiara is faced with an impossible choice: she can either sell her body or let her family starve.

At first, Kiara is hesitant to sell her body. She knows that it is dangerous and degrading, but she is desperate to help her family. She eventually agrees to work for a pimp named Marcus, who promises to protect her. But Marcus is a violent and abusive man, and Kiara quickly learns that she is nothing more than a commodity to him.

Kiara's experiences as a sex worker are both horrifying and heartbreaking. She is constantly subjected to violence and abuse, and she is forced to do things that she never thought she would do. But through it all, she never gives up hope. She dreams of a better life for herself and her family, and she is determined to find a way out of the darkness.

Nightcrawling is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Leila Mottley has written a searing indictment of the systemic racism and poverty that plague American society, and she has created a character in Kiara who is both unforgettable and inspiring.

If you are looking for a novel that will challenge you and make you think, then Nightcrawling is the book for you. It is a powerful and important story that deserves to be read by everyone.

Themes

Nightcrawling explores a number of important themes, including:

Systemic racism: Kiara is a victim of systemic racism throughout her life. She is poor and Black, and she lives in a society that is stacked against her. She is forced to sell her body to survive, and she is constantly subjected to violence and abuse.
Poverty: Poverty is a major theme in Nightcrawling. Kiara and her family are poor, and they struggle to make ends meet. Poverty forces Kiara to make impossible choices, and it ultimately leads her to sell her body.
Black girlhood: Kiara is a young Black woman, and her experiences are shaped by the racism and sexism that she faces. She is constantly objectified and sexualized, and she is forced to grow up too fast. Nightcrawling is a powerful indictment of the ways in which society fails Black girls.
Hope: Despite the darkness that she experiences, Kiara never gives up hope. She dreams of a better life for herself and her family, and she is determined to find a way out of the darkness. Nightcrawling is a story of hope and resilience.

Characters

Nightcrawling features a cast of complex and unforgettable characters, including:

Kiara: Kiara is the protagonist of Nightcrawling. She is a young Black woman who is forced to sell her body to survive. Kiara is a complex and sympathetic character, and her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Marcus: Marcus is a pimp who controls Kiara. He is a violent and abusive man, and he sees Kiara as nothing more than a commodity. Marcus is a symbol of the systemic racism and poverty that plague American society.
Tasha: Tasha is a young Black woman who is also a sex worker. Tasha is a kind and compassionate person, and she becomes a friend and confidante to Kiara. Tasha is a symbol of hope and resilience, and she shows that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
Autumn: Autumn is Kiara's younger brother. He is a bright and innocent child, and he loves Kiara unconditionally. Autumn is a symbol of the hope and potential that Kiara is fighting for.

Setting

Nightcrawling is set in Oakland, California. Oakland is a diverse and vibrant city, but it is also a city with a lot of poverty and crime. The novel's setting is a reflection of the characters' lives. They are all struggling to survive in a city that is often hostile to them.

Style

Leila Mottley writes in a clear and concise style. Her prose is both lyrical and powerful, and she creates a vivid and unforgettable world for the reader. Mottley's writing is also deeply empathetic, and she allows the reader to see the world through the eyes of her characters.

Nightcrawling: A novel

by Leila Mottley

4.2 out of 5