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tisharehn's review against another edition
I really liked the 2nd story about the woman who moves to Paris, but I struggled to connect with the rest. It’s my fault, as I thought this was a novel when I picked it up at Target. I’m not really a short story girl, so it’s no surprise I didn’t jive with this collection. Although, maybe it’s NOT my fault because it says NOwhere on the front or back cover that it is a short story collection. It is branded only as “fiction.” I would not have bought it if I’d known.
dinasamimi's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the range of the short stories. For some reason the novella didn't hit for me, but enjoyed the writing nonetheless and am interested to read more from Jocelyn Nicole Johnson.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Review coming soon!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
okevamae's review against another edition
5.0
A powerful, beautifully written, heartbreaking short story collection which looks unflinchingly at the lives of Black people in modern America.
“Control Negro”
A professor’s experiment on an unwitting subject shows how a young Black man can do everything in his life the same as an “average Caucasian male” and still end up a victim of racism. The twist at the end is a sucker-punch.
“Virginia Is Not Your Home”
Gorgeously written. A woman who is never quite satisfied with her life, always wanting something unnamable and out of reach, who longs to break free and yet finds herself back where she began. In spite of this, she still has hope and determination that she can break free.
“Something Sweet on Our Tongues”
Reminiscence of school days, told in first-person plural. At turns sweet and incredibly cruel, much like childhood.
“Buying a House Ahead of the Apocalypse”
A Black single mom, on the verge of turning forty, looking to buy a home and live her best life in the face of all the forces that are aligned against her.
“The King of Xandria”
An immigrant widower raising his children in America as his wife had always dreamed of, struggling to keep them in this new life and still maintain his pride. The emotion in this one is palpable, frustration and desperation and grief at a constant simmer until it erupts.
“My Monticello”
The titular novella is set in an apocalyptic near future marked by climate disaster and catastrophic societal collapse. The story follows Da’Naisha, a black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, with her grandmother, neighbors, and white boyfriend as they take refuge from a violent racist mob at Monticello, Jefferson’s former plantation. "My Monticello” explores Da’Naisha’s complex feelings about her heritage, and the uncomfortable truths about Jefferson that some try to shy away from (but which for Da’Naisha are, obviously, completely unavoidable.) The pace swings between slow contemplation and heart-pounding suspense, and the tone varies from bleak to hopeful, but the writing is beautifully done throughout.
Most of these stories have clearly taken inspiration from current events and the modern landscape of racism and race relations. Every piece in this collection is carefully crafted and stays with the reader long after it’s finished. Some of them might be difficult for some readers (white readers) to stomach, but that stark look at someone else’s reality makes these stories all the more important to read and reflect.
“Control Negro”
A professor’s experiment on an unwitting subject shows how a young Black man can do everything in his life the same as an “average Caucasian male” and still end up a victim of racism. The twist at the end is a sucker-punch.
“Virginia Is Not Your Home”
Gorgeously written. A woman who is never quite satisfied with her life, always wanting something unnamable and out of reach, who longs to break free and yet finds herself back where she began. In spite of this, she still has hope and determination that she can break free.
“Something Sweet on Our Tongues”
Reminiscence of school days, told in first-person plural. At turns sweet and incredibly cruel, much like childhood.
“Buying a House Ahead of the Apocalypse”
A Black single mom, on the verge of turning forty, looking to buy a home and live her best life in the face of all the forces that are aligned against her.
“The King of Xandria”
An immigrant widower raising his children in America as his wife had always dreamed of, struggling to keep them in this new life and still maintain his pride. The emotion in this one is palpable, frustration and desperation and grief at a constant simmer until it erupts.
“My Monticello”
The titular novella is set in an apocalyptic near future marked by climate disaster and catastrophic societal collapse. The story follows Da’Naisha, a black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, with her grandmother, neighbors, and white boyfriend as they take refuge from a violent racist mob at Monticello, Jefferson’s former plantation. "My Monticello” explores Da’Naisha’s complex feelings about her heritage, and the uncomfortable truths about Jefferson that some try to shy away from (but which for Da’Naisha are, obviously, completely unavoidable.) The pace swings between slow contemplation and heart-pounding suspense, and the tone varies from bleak to hopeful, but the writing is beautifully done throughout.
Most of these stories have clearly taken inspiration from current events and the modern landscape of racism and race relations. Every piece in this collection is carefully crafted and stays with the reader long after it’s finished. Some of them might be difficult for some readers (white readers) to stomach, but that stark look at someone else’s reality makes these stories all the more important to read and reflect.
rebekah_florence's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
hilaryannbrown's review against another edition
4.0
The thought-provoking premise: In the near future, Black descendants of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson find refuge inside Monticello when their Virginia neighborhood is set on fire and overtaken by white supremacists.
The writing is dense and feels like a labor to muddle through at times, but worth the effort. The final section of the book is exquisite.
The writing is dense and feels like a labor to muddle through at times, but worth the effort. The final section of the book is exquisite.
dsbressette's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jays_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
szdalessa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0