A review by bill_muganda
The Devil in America by Kai Ashante Wilson

3.0

Click here to read the novella for free

Tor.com

Thank you tor for the free book.

Scant years after the Civil War, a mysterious family confronts the legacy that has pursued them across centuries, out of slavery, and finally to the idyllic peace of the town of Rosetree. The shattering consequences of this confrontation echo backwards and forwards in time, even to the present day.

This was one trippy, dark, unsettling little book... I wasn't expecting anything going into this book, I actually didn't want to know anything about the plot as the book is just over 100 pages. It was confusing at first as I was trying to settle into the writing style but once I did, the book got under my skin. Filled with African lore and mythology about the devil and emphasis on the importance of passing down generational tales and how they were destroyed by slavery just blew my mind. Kate Wilson truly understands her craft in regards to storytelling and shattering the reader's heart in such a limited space as well as making you think. I know I sound vague but the best way to experience and appreciate this little book is going into it blind.