I was in the library the other day to pick up a few books I had requested, when my eye was caught by the new arrivals, one in particular. The title of the book was “The List” by Yomi Adegoke, a journalist I recognized from her articles on race and feminism in The Guardian. I was captivated by the book’s clean, minimalistic, lilac cover, adorned with a hush-face emoji at its centre. Something was hidden in these pages and I just had to discover what it was.
Ola and Michael, a seemingly perfect young couple, are thriving in their respective careers. Ola works as a journalist for an online women’s magazine and Michael has just started a new job at a different publication, after gaining popularity on a successful podcast. As they are busy planning their wedding, a single devastating event turns their world upside down. Michael’s name appears on an anonymous social media list of men accused of sexual misconduct. The list quickly goes viral, and the impact is immediate and devastating. The couple, once celebrated as the epitome of #BlackLove, find their carefully curated social media public image and private relationship crumbling under the weight of these allegations.
Adegoke skilfully explores the psychological and emotional turmoil that follows the publication of the list. One of the novel’s great aspects is the dual narrative structure, which alternates between Ola and Michael’s perspectives. This approach allows readers to experience the couple’s internal struggles and the challenges they encounter in their social and working environments.
The deeply challenging and emotionally complex situation plunges Ola into a maelstrom of doubt, fear, and betrayal. Her reaction is an emotional numbness, her brain shuts down to shield her from the overwhelming stress. She grapples with her feminist principles and her instinct to believe women who come forward with allegations, while she is also struggling with her love for Michael and her desire to trust him. At the same time, Michael faces the implications of being labelled a predator and the broader societal issues of believing survivors versus protecting the accused. Amidst growing suspicion, he struggles to maintain trust and intimacy with Ola. His acute awareness of Ola’s doubts and fears exacerbates his own feelings of betrayal and isolation.
Adegoke confronts the harsh realities of the digital age, painting a nuanced picture of how social media can be both a tool for empowerment and a weapon for destruction. A key theme in the book is the phenomenon of cancel culture, where reputations, careers and personal relationships are ruined based on the court of public opinion rather than legal or institutional judgment.
Journalism in “The List” is portrayed as a complex and influential field that intersects with the characters’ personal and professional lives. It serves as a tool for shaping narratives and influencing public perception. How stories are told and information is framed significantly affects societal perceptions of events and individuals. This raises the question: how can one remain true to their beliefs and integrity in a field driven by sensationalism and public perception?
An important aspect of the story is how race, gender, and class intersect to shape the characters’ experiences and the various forms of discrimination and bias they face. In today’s digital age, where the lines between real and virtual identities are becoming increasingly blurred, and the repercussions of digital and real-life actions are inextricably linked, Yomi Adegoke offers a perceptive exploration of trust, loyalty and the pursuit of truth and identity.