Good Dirt

"Most of the trouble in this world boils down to one person not recognizing the worth of another." ~ 7%

Themes of grief, heartbreak, survivor's remorse and ancestry shape Good Dirt into a slow burn novel that will leave a lasting impression for readers. Ten-year-old Ebby's life comes to a halt when she hears a gunshot while playing hide-and-seek with her brother. His body is found surrounded by shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar.

The affluent Black family finds themselves again in the media when grownup Ebby is left at the altar. She flees to France to process what happened back then and now, piecing together a childhood tragedy and beloved family heirloom. Little does she know, the handcrafted piece of pottery holds more than her family's history but also the key to her future.

Good Dirt is not a book you can read in one sitting and fully digest it all. There are multiple characters with multiple timelines. I usually don't care for books with this format as it slows the pace and can become confusing. However, there was enough intrigue between the past trauma and current events that held my attention. At times, it was wordy and could have been a bit shorter, but I appreciate the author's attention to detail. By the end, I realized the length and certain chapters were necessary.

I most enjoyed the author's note of writing this layered story, its origin and recommended further reading. Wilkerson knows the art of storytelling!

Similar to Wilkerson's Black Cake, I believe Good Dirt will translate better on the TV screen. Keeping my fingers crossed to see this story come to life in a mini-series. The imagery and multi-generations will hit even harder when visualized creating a more emotional connection to Ebby's story. But until that happens, I recommend adding Good Dirt to your reading lists for the new year.

Happy Early Pub Day, Charmaine Wilkerson! Good Dirt will be available Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Good Dirt
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Published: January 2025
Pages: 368
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤