Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

In DEVIL IS FINE John Vercher crafts an intricate tale that navigates the complexities of racial identity, grief, and the legacies we inherit. The story is told through the eyes of a biracial father, still reeling from the tragic loss of his teenage son, Malcolm. The narrative unfolds as the father receives a letter from an attorney, revealing that he has inherited a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather.

Initially, the father's intention is clear: he plans to sell the land and move on from his grief. However, as he arrives at the coastal town and begins to explore the land, he uncovers a shocking truth: it was once a plantation, marked by the suffering of enslaved individuals. This revelation forces the narrator to confront not only his family's past but also the troubled dynamics of his relationship with Malcolm, who was meant to inherit the land.

I enjoyed this moving story with its themes of regret, grief, and the struggle for identity. The father’s conversational tone added a layer of intimacy, and with his self-deprecating humor mixed with regret, I really liked him. However, there were several moments when I felt a bit confused by the dialog, and I am still not sure what the author meant! Ultimately, the story ties together with an emotional and meaningful conclusion.

I want to give special mention to the audio version. The narrator, Dion Graham, does an exceptional job providing the voice for the father.

Devil is Fine was the perfect historical fiction read for February; it sparked such a thought-provoking discussion in our buddy read group.

I'm really impressed by this novel. The book is written in the second person, which I don’t often come across, but here it works beautifully. The confessional tone, directed at the unnamed narrator's son Malcolm, who has passed away, creates a deep intimacy, pulling me directly into his complex emotional world.

The narrator, a biracial author, struggles with grief and regrets after losing his son. He inherits land from his white grandfather that was once a plantation. The discovery of skeletons of enslaved people on the property forces him to confront its painful history. As he deals with the weight of his inheritance and his son's death, his mental stability begins to unravel.

What I loved:
✨Mental Health & Grief: The narrator’s panic attacks, struggles with sobriety, and emotional unraveling felt so raw and real. His fugue states and the tension of his deteriorating mind highlight how grief can overwhelm and distort reality.
✨Slices of Humor: Despite the novel’s heavy themes, I appreciated the humor that balanced the weight. The banter in the bar scenes and the narrator’s use of humor to deflect discomfort provided lighter moments that kept the story from becoming too overwhelming.
✨Unnamed narrator: Brillant!! This decision to leave him unnamed amplifies the themes of identity. Throughout the novel, he questions who he is—not just as a father, a son, a writer, but also a biracial man in a world that constantly tries to define him.
✨Narration: Dion Graham’s narration of the audiobook was outstanding, bringing the story and its raw emotions to life. His voice was perfect for this deeply introspective novel.

I highly recommend this beautifully written and emotionally charged story. It’s one that will stay with me for a long time.

This book had a lot of interesting parts to it. Ghostly magical realism mixed with dark comedy and struggling with racial identity. This was a super interesting read, I loved the weird magical realism that was going on as the main character not only dealt with the death of his son, and then the little bit of horror elements when he also starts seeing the ghosts of his white ancestor and the slaves he owned on the plantation land he inherits from his white grandfather because of his sons passing. This isn't my typical genre but it's interesting to see the way the narrator deals with not only his grief but his racial identity that is also wrapped up in that grief.

I’m not sure I was the intended audience for this one. When I started the book, I was hooked with the first chapter. I felt like it was going to be tense and keep me on the edge of my seat. The further in I got, the more it seemed disjointed, I assume from the grief the father was feeling from the tragic loss of his son, and I had a hard time staying invested in the story.

Don’t get me wrong, the author is a wonderful with words. It just didn’t hit me the way I had hoped, but maybe it just wasn’t the right time in my life to read this one.

3 stars

If you want to talk about a book that’s narrative is incredibly unforgiving and took me out of my comfort zone — this was it.

This author carefully balances heavy hitting topics such as racism, family dynamics and more with moments of fragility and vulnerability. This book may have felt like a bunch to the gut but by god… could I have another?

This book was an unlikely love from me, but this author shocked me and definitely taught me not to judge a book by its cover here.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Devil Is Fine by John Vercher is a gritty, heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and personal reckoning wrapped in a raw, unflinching narrative. Vercher doesn’t shy away from tough topics—racism, mental health, and family dynamics—but he balances the heaviness with moments of vulnerability and humanity that make the characters leap off the page.

The story pulls you in with its honesty and keeps you hooked with its emotional punches. It's not your typical feel-good read, but it’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking (and even texting a friend to say, “You have to read this”). Vercher’s prose is sharp and engaging, making even the tough moments feel worth it.

If you're in the mood for a powerful, introspective read with a splash of hope amid the darkness, Devil Is Fine delivers.

Devil is Fine by John Vercher
3/5 🌟

This book is a bit out of my comfort zone for books which I love to experience new perspectives and storylines. That is likely who it may have been hard for me to fully follow the book.

The unnamed protagonist a biracial professor is dealing with loss in many ways which makes it very heavy. We find him at work being told to continue to produce another book on the tails of a less than positive one, he then decides to leave and go visit a small town to see the land left to him from his white grandfather. Once there he reflects on raising his son and the sacrifices he made while raising a black son in todays society.

He starts to drink after being sober and we learn he lost his son as well. The land now in his name is a plantation where slaves worked so his narrative spirals a bit as expected. Wonderfully point of view and great ideas I just was a bit in the weeds as it got further in.

I was not able to read and review this one before the publishing date but now that I have read it I gave it 4 1/2 stars

“Devil is Fine” by John Vercher was an unexpected treasure. Approaching it with no expectations, I discovered a beautifully raw and unapologetic exploration of grief.

The narrative follows a biracial man, an author, who is mourning the loss of his son while inheriting a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather. From the very first chapter, I was captivated; my heart raced as the story unfolded.

The book seamlessly transitions between past and present, with parts written in a monologue form, alternating between the narrator’s perspectives as an adult father and as a son. This structure effectively conveys a heartbreaking journey filled with self-reflection and gut-wrenching discoveries.

The complexities of father-son relationships and the nuances of parenting are exquisitely depicted. The novel delves deeply into themes of grief, identity struggles, guilt, racial issues, and reconciling with a painful past. Elements of magical realism, mystery, and tragedy are interwoven so skillfully that they sent shivers down my spine. The poetic prose provided a stunning backdrop to this deeply moving story.

“Devil is Fine” is profoundly thought-provoking, and the narrator’s pain resonated through every page. One particular part moved me to tears, especially as a parent, overwhelming me with emotion.

I was fortunate to receive both an audio ALC and an electronic copy of “Devil is Fine,” which I read in tandem. Dion Graham’s narration was spectacular. I extend my thanks to @macmillan.audio @celadonbooks and @jverchwrites for providing these copies in exchange for an honest review. Vercher’s accessibility and willingness to answer some of my questions were greatly appreciated.

I’ve never read anything like this! The main character takes us through his journey while battling grief and other demons. It’ll have you wanting to yell at him while also cheering him on to get himself together.. this book makes for great discussion !

I received this novel awhile ago and forgot to post review. It is worth the time, and so well written.

This book was bizarre and weirdly compelling. Stream-of-consciousness style writing meets magical realism and a question that doesn’t quite scratch the surface of identity and grief. I found the flashbacks especially compelling, watching Malcolm grow up through his father’s eyes. I wish there had been more exposition about the history with the narrator's grandfather.

I loved this so much. The blend of magical realism, with dark humor and the characters was so interesting and refreshing. The connection to the cover!!! This story reminds me why i love literary fiction

A gut punch of a book. Emotional and beautifully written. A little on the supernatural side more than I thought it would be, but compelling all the same

Devil Is Fine by John Vercher is a gripping exploration of grief and identity, told through a unique one-sided conversation between a father and his dead son. With its languid prose and immense depth, this novel tackles heavy topics like race and loss in a way that will stick with readers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. This book was definitely not what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it! It had depths and so many layers, all made more complicated by an unreliable narrator. I loved how you get the full scope of the main characters relationship with his son in pieces and are able to come to terms with everything right along with him. I would recommend to anyone who likes family drama with a touch of horror!

Devil Is Fine by John Vercher, is one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I’ve read this year. The story follows a biracial writing professor grappling with the devastating loss of his teenage son, Malcolm. Vercher’s portrayal of grief is raw and unflinching, capturing the aching reality of a father trying to navigate life in the shadow of unbearable loss.

The novel takes a gripping turn when the protagonist inherits a former plantation from his estranged white grandfather. What starts as a practical plan to sell the property evolves into a deeply personal exploration of identity, history, and the legacy of racism. Vercher weaves in elements of magical realism as the protagonist experiences visions of Malcolm, creating powerful and poignant moments that blend memory and longing.

What truly struck me was Vercher’s ability to balance heavy themes with sharp, dark humor, making the story both heartbreaking and unexpectedly uplifting. The exploration of the protagonist’s biracial identity, set against the backdrop of a painful historical legacy, is nuanced and deeply resonant. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about race, inheritance, and the ties that bind us to the past.

Devil Is Fine is more than a novel—it’s an emotional journey that challenges you to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the ones we create. Vercher’s writing is lyrical and unrelenting, and this story will stay with me for a long time. If you’re looking for a book that’s both thought-provoking and profoundly moving, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is very well written but that being sa8d I just couldn't get into it. I was thinking this would be a different genre and that probably why. I put it down weeks ago and have had no desire to go back to it.

This book was so beautifully written, and easy to get lost in. It was quite the fever dream, but I liked the blending between what was real and what wasn't. This book focuses heavily on the relationships between father and son and masculine relationships in general. It deals heavily with grief, loss, race and identity, I cried around three separate times while reading, mostly for the relationship between the narrator and Mal, and how I knew there was no way to change it. I knew when a chapter started with however old Mal was, that I was going to be hurting. As a mother to a young boy now, I think about all the ways that I want him to grow and change and be happy, and it was an emotional read to dive into the narrator and Mal's relationship.