Good Dirt

A Novel

De: Charmaine Wilkerson

Narrado por: January LaVoy

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the bestselling author of Black Cake, a Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

“Engrossing . . . Wilkerson masterfully weaves these threads of love, loss and legacy [into] a thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga.”—The New York Times

LONGLISTED FOR THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: TIME, NPR, Marie Claire, People, Chicago Public Library, Christian Science Monitor, Denver Public Library

When ten-year-old Ebby Freeman heard the gunshot, time stopped. And when she saw her brother, Baz, lying on the floor surrounded by the shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar, life as Ebby knew it shattered as well.

The crime was never solved—and because the Freemans were one of the only Black families in a particularly well-to-do enclave of New England—the case has had an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public. The last thing the Freemans want is another media frenzy splashing their family across the papers, but when Ebby's high profile romance falls apart without any explanation, that's exactly what they get.

So Ebby flees to France, only for her past to follow her there. And as she tries to process what's happened, she begins to think about the other loss her family suffered on that day eighteen years ago—the stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations, brought North by an enslaved ancestor. But little does she know that the handcrafted piece of pottery held more than just her family's history—it might also hold the key to unlocking her own future.

In this sweeping, evocative novel, Charmaine Wilkerson brings to life a multi-generational epic that examines how the past informs our present.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Engrossing . . . Wilkerson masterfully weaves these threads of love, loss and legacy through Old Mo’s journey as well as the ongoing mystery of Baz’s murder. The result is a thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga, with a moving and hopeful ending.”—The New York Times​

“[A] moving sophomore novel . . . a multigenerational tale about a family haunted by tragedy.”—The Washington Post

“A remarkable exploration of family bonds, grief, heartbreak, friendship, and the deep scars of slavery and racism, Good Dirt seamlessly links the tragedies and resilience of our past in a way that is both brilliantly resonant and heartbreakingly beautiful. Wilkerson’s prose is succinct yet richly evocative, masterfully delving into the minds and motivations of her characters and delivering a narrative that lingers long after the final page . . . This novel solidifies Wilkerson’s place as one of the great multi-generational storytellers of our time.”—​Abi Daré, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice

“Charmaine Wilkerson is a writer of extraordinary gifts. She can capture the arc of a family story like none other. In Good Dirt, she does it again. This kaleidoscopic novel of love, loss, and triumph will sit with you for a long time after you finish the last page.”—Dolen Perkins-Valdez, bestselling author of Take My Hand

“Good Dirt is a mystery that weaves together multigenerational strands of past and present trauma, from West Africa to Long Island, from the 1800s to the present. Written in glittering and discerning prose, poignant yet hopeful, Good Dirt is a masterful character study exploring the stories we inherit and how the past informs the present. I loved it.”—Nikki May, author of Wahala and This Motherless Land

A slow burn

This is a very good book that begins slow but ooh this author is so satisfying to read. I loved the plot but found the slave narrative difficult to read but necessary. If highly recommend it.

Great book by a talented author

I loved everything about this book. This is an outstanding story that held my interest from beginning to end. I finished it in one day. This story is intriguing as well as interesting. Tha narrator is just as talented as the author. What a phenomenal performance. I love the front cover along with the title. This author does her research. The details she includes throughout this book makes this story so entertaining.

Everything

I Loved this novel. The human story told throw an object. This was well done.

Vivid details- strong family connection

I enjoyed the book and the historical connections made throughout the text. The details were vivid and explicit, offering insight into how families maintain traditions and preserve their history. I didn’t want to stop reading. I wanted to find out the next piece in the missing and how everything came to pass.

A Beautiful Story Intertwined With Culture & History

Charmaine Wilkerson is an immensely talented author. I read the paperback book first and purchased the Audible version because I was so invested in the storyline, The narrator broadened a reimagiination of the novel. I am looking forward to reading other works that the author recommended.