4.5⭐️


With exquisite prose, dark humor, complex characters and a gripping narrative that revolves around themes of grief, trauma, fatherhood, racial identity and legacy, I found Devil Is Fine by John Vercher hard to put down.

As the novel begins, we meet our unnamed narrator/protagonist, a biracial author born to a White mother and Black father, grappling with the recent loss of his teenage son Malcolm. When he inherits a plot of land from his estranged maternal grandfather, he wants nothing to do with the property and travels south to initiate all necessary formalities for its sale. However, a routine inspection of the land leads to a shocking discovery. As the dark history of the land and his ancestors is gradually revealed, our protagonist is traumatized by the implications.

Adding to his grief and pain are his strained personal relationships and the stress brought on by the fact that his latest manuscript isn’t generating much interest among publishing houses and that his inability to publish in recent years might make it difficult for him to hold on to his teaching position.

As our narrator slips back into old habits, triggering a downward spiral, what follows is a fever dream-like journey wherein the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur, past and present collapses into a hallucinatory series of events that force our protagonist to confront his complicated feelings about his legacy and explore how the same has impacted the most important aspects of his life.

The narrative is shared from the PoV of our unnamed protagonist in the form of a one-sided conversation with his deceased son. The author has deftly woven an element of magical realism into the narrative, creating a tension-filled almost claustrophobic vibe but also injects enough dry humor into the narrative so as not to overwhelm. The strength of this novel lies in its in-depth exploration of the protagonist's psyche – his beliefs, his motivations, his inner conflict and his worldview - as he wavers between moments of lucidity and phantasmagoria. The supporting characters are well thought out, and from their interactions with our narrator we are provided an insightful look into how he is perceived by those who know him/ come to know him as opposed to his self-perception. We might question our narrator's choices, because at times, his motivations are difficult to understand, but at no point do we stop rooting for him to emerge from his traumatized state and embark on a journey of self-acceptance, forgiveness, healing and redemption.

I appreciated the significance of the cover art - which is indicative of the symbolism of the jellyfish, which is integral to the narrative - more after reading the book. I only wish that we were given a bit more insight into past events and the history of the plantation.

I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Dion Graham who brought this story, the setting and the characters to life making for an intense immersion reading experience.

Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted work of literary fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven narratives with an element of magical realism.

Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Devil is Fine follows a biracial narrator who is well known for his work and writings regarding Black identity and Black culture. When he learns that he has inherited land from his white grandfather and soon thereafter learn that it was formerly a plantation with slaves, he does not know how to reconcile this information. This book alternates between real and imagined and was a little difficult for me to follow early on. It kind of seemed to jump around. As I read further, I believe this to be intentional to the story as the narrator processes his own grief and his family legacy.

I was a little stunned after reading this book. It was so beautiful, unique, and mesmerizing. I kind of felt like I had woken up from a trance when I was done; the writing was so beautiful. With the added layers of magical realism to this story, and the slight sarcasm and dry humor, the heavy subjects of grief and racism are tackled in a non-heavy hitting way. It still makes your heart hurt, but with the feeling that everything is going to be okay.

I did a tandem read & listen to this book, and while I LOVED the narrators voice, I preferred to go back and read what I had listened to so I could recapture some of his writing. I don’t know how to explain it, but seeing the words written out helped his writing really sink in.

Overall a fantastic book. If you’re a fan of literary fiction and beautiful prose, with a light dose of magical realism, you’ll love this book.

Wow - this book was a wild ride. Hard to categorize, it's a bit of a fever dream with scenes you're not quite sure are real or imagined by the narrator. The book touches on grief, loss, confronting your past, parenting, forgiveness, race, and more, all packed into a compact little novel. The main character is a professor who has lost his only son as a teenager -- this sets the stage but you don't learn until later in the book what has happened. The narrator is really going through a lot, when he finds out he inherits some land that was intended for his son...land that used to be a plantation (adding to the complexity, the narrator is mixed race). The jellyfish and dirt on the cover of the book make sense in time -- reoccurring in parts of the book in meaningful ways. This book was a wild ride and I thought it was incredibly creative and poignant at the same time.

One man’s grief expressed in magical realism and commentary on racism—this book was a lot and I liked it. It meandered, which is my only quibble. I’m not a hundred percent sure what the message was, but I thought it explored topics of family history, grief, and transformation in a compelling way.
A black man inherits a plantation site from a white relative, while dealing with the recent loss of his son. And something strange is happening to his body. His whole life is turned upside down, and I wasn’t always sure what was going on, but the writing transfixed me and I didn’t want to stop reading.
Thanks to the publisher for the ebook arc.

This was a unique story. In the end it comes together but I found myself wondering what was going on at multiple points in the story. I loved the struggle the MC went through trying to navigate such a strange situation after the inheritance and what he learned about himself. I overall enjoyed the story.

A biracial, author and professor has just lost his son. He is having a terrible time coping with his grief. When he discovers he has inherited a plantation from the white side of the family he decides to go and see what this is all about. He discovers more than he ever expected.

Y’all! This is one beautifully written book! This author has some of the best prose! As a matter of fact…I have read thousands of books in my life and this is one of the best first chapters I have ever read.

I am singing this author’s praises, but I was a bit confused throughout the story. This is the reason for the 4 star rating. I think that this story is above my head in some places. Or maybe I am not as in tune to my feelings as I need to be to follow exactly what the author wants to portray.

This story is full of grief, emotion, symbolism and life lessons. It is hard to know how you will react upon the death of a child. So along with the hard issues in this novel, it also has quite a bit of humor. There were several places I laughed out loud.

Need a story which will have you thinking and pondering…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Recently, the biggest tell I have for how highly I view a story in any media form is how eager I am for others to experience it themselves.

I want everyone to read this book.

John Vercher is a highly acclaimed author that I had not read until this novel and now an author I will read more from in the future.

In Devil Is Fine, Vercher writes from the viewpoint of a father trying to come to terms with the loss of his son and the loss of his sanity. The way in which Vercher writes allows for so much movement within the story - like the feeling one has when watching rolling waves at sea.

With themes of race relations, changing family dynamics, the haunting of haints and phantom-aquatic limbs, and the challenges of maintaining ones mental health when faced with overwhelming grief, Vercher creates a story so meta and surreal the reader questions what genre they have even delved into.

While it did take a minute or two (read as 21% into the book) for my initial interest in the story to find purchase, I could not put it down and the use of alliteration as well as the references (I mean They Live, Gremlins, AND Jurassic Park?!) are enough to make this story worth the read alone.

So much of our history has been written and crafted by the same people who have tried to erase our physical beings from existence. Devil Is Fine is also a reminder of the continued work needed to ensure that the stories of Black, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color are heard and remembered.

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan, and John Vercher for a humorous, historical, and highly satisfactory read.

"These keepsakes for the dead never made sense to me. I don't want a placeholder for your absence."

"DEADLIFT
I don't
know how to weight loss
But I do
know how heavy it is."

"I was an anchor to her grief and my petulance had finally been enough to unmoor her."

"But I think maybe that's what faith is, yeah? Not exactly believing in God, but believing he believes in you."

"... I don't think you should do it because you need to be free of someone else's notion of you, you know? If you did would you really be free of it?"

"Because controversy sells just as much as voyeurism."

"I already been made to serve. I ain't going to serve living and dead. If your devil is real, send me to him. If I got to choose between your God and the devil, then the devil is fine. Send me to him so I can haunt you and yours until all your dying days."

"Don't we need magic, too, Freddy? Hell, don't we deserve it from ourselves?"

I think if you’re looking for a literary Yellowface-esque book, this if definitely for you! It leaves a lot to think about as it bends our perception of reality, and such a strong novel.

Devil is Fine by John Vercher is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complex intersections of race, grief, and family legacy. The story follows a biracial narrator who, in the aftermath of a sudden personal tragedy, discovers that he has inherited a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather. This plot, however, carries a heavy historical burden: it is a former plantation, making the narrator the Black owner of a property tied to his mother's white ancestry.

John Vercher’s Devil is Fine is a literary journey that pulls readers into the depths of its narrative with beautiful prose and a profound exploration of heavy themes. The story is an intricate meditation on grief, identity, and the often-painful legacy of history.
From the very first page, Vercher’s writing captivates, drawing readers into the emotional and psychological landscape of the main character. The narrator's experience of inheriting a former plantation is laden with irony and complexity, offering a fresh and poignant perspective on the ways in which history can shape personal identity and family dynamics.

The novel unfolds in a slightly stream-of-consciousness style, which may initially challenge some readers but ultimately enriches the storytelling. The shifts between present events, flashbacks, and the narrator’s reflections create a layered narrative that demands careful attention but rewards with deep emotional resonance. The protagonist's journey is further complicated by his mental health struggles, exacerbated by a mix of pills and alcohol, adding another layer of depth to his character and the overall narrative.

The narrator is a beautifully crafted character—complex, relatable, and deeply human. His journey through grief and his attempts to make sense of his new reality are compelling and heart-wrenching. His reflections, often laced with wit and humor, provide a much-needed balance to the novel’s more somber themes, making him a deeply endearing and memorable protagonist.

At its core, Devil is Fine is a meditation on grief and loss. The narrator’s pain is palpable, and Vercher’s exploration of this theme is both sensitive and profound. Additionally, the novel addresses important topics such as race, identity, and the legacy of slavery, all woven seamlessly into the narrative. The inheritance of the plantation serves as a powerful symbol of the narrator’s internal and external struggles, making the story not just personal but also historically and culturally significant.

Vercher’s writing is lyrical and vivid, bringing the setting and characters to life with rich, detailed descriptions. The novel’s pacing allows readers to absorb the story at their own pace, inviting them to linger over beautifully crafted passages and reflect on the deeper implications of the narrator’s journey. The inclusion of magical realism elements adds a unique touch to the story, sometimes feeling a bit odd but ultimately enhancing the novel’s richness and depth.
While the novel’s exploration of the narrator’s mental health and inner life is compelling, some readers might find the frequent shifts in time and perspective challenging to follow. Additionally, the story’s focus on the narrator’s personal journey sometimes overshadows the broader implications of his inheritance, leaving the exploration of the plantation's history and its impact somewhat underdeveloped.
Devil is Fine is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on themes of grief, identity, and history. John Vercher has crafted a story that is both intimate and far-reaching, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to the past and the ways in which they navigate their personal and collective histories. For those who appreciate literary fiction that tackles difficult subjects with grace and sensitivity, Devil is Fine is a highly recommended read.

Devil is Fine is equal parts haunting, aggravating, and beautiful.

After the biracial, unnamed narrator loses his teenage son and inherits family land that was meant to be passed down to his son, his career, life, and maybe sanity begin to unravel. I don't want to give too much of the plot away with my summary (trust me, it's better this way).

I have never felt so deeply for a character I so strongly disliked. The narrator is at best inconsiderate and more often than not, cruel. He cannot maintain relationships, personal or professional. He's also wading through impossible grief and his story is a reflection on how men (especially Black men) are able to express that pain and whose pain matters.

While I can see the supernatural elements not working for some people, its poetic language and provocative critique hooked me. Though more reflective than compulsively readable, I couldn't put it down. You won't be able to either.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

'Devil Is Fine' by John Vercher is a multilayered novel that took some analysis on my part to fully understand the significance and the nuances of the story. The narrator is talking to his dead son and trying to resolve interpersonal conflicts dating back several generations. Quickly the conflict escalates and encompasses several more generations and the narrator's grip on reality seems to be slipping. I enjoy a straightforward story so the visions and 'Not' narrative wasn't my favorite but ultimately contributed to the story. I loved that the book I was reading showed up as a book in the story and I am left pondering the ending which caught me off guard. I like the fact that the cast of characters was small. The illustration on the dust jacket is perfect by the way. I give this book four stars as I had to put a bit of work in to immerse myself and enjoy it, but I ultimately did and will remember the premise and recommend it to others.

One of my favorite lines from the book: "I don't know how to weigh loss, but I do know how heavy it is."

This poignant novel is narrated (unnamed) by a man who is dealing with the death of his son and also struggling with his own identity. Throughout the story the narrator is either speaking as father to his son, or son to his own father, and often times addressing his son beyond the grave.

The protagonist is a biracial author and college professor whose tenure-track job is at risk because his latest book is not being accepted by publishers. He inherits a large piece of coastal property that was bequeathed to his son by his own estranged grandfather (his white mother's father), but because of his son's death, the property has been passed on to him.

During a visit to the newly acquired property, the protagonist learns that the land he inherited is actually a former plantation. It is here that much of the story takes place. The author and college professor who is grounded in reality sees reality unravel after falling of the wagon (has been sober for 17 years) and mixing anti-anxiety medication with alcohol. His delusions and hallucinations take him back in time to when his son was alive and even to when his great grandfather was alive. It is during this portion of the story that spirits visit the protagonist. I typically do not enjoy books with supernatural content, but Vercher's use of spirits was done so very well, that it contribute much to the protagonist's growth that I didn't mind it.

The story explores family legacy, grief, fatherhood, and race using the past, present, reality, and things imagined. It is ultimately a story about self-discover, healing, and confronting the past. I will never see a jellyfish the same!

"Devil Is Fine" by John Vercher is an absolutely extraordinary work of Literary Fiction. This just may be the best book I read this year. This achingly intimate portrait of a father reeling from the death of his son truly hit every mark for me. "Devil is Fine" is not a lighthearted read by any stretch of the imagination. It packs a serious punch and does not shy away from heavy subjects, especially after the biracial narrator learns he has inherited land with a dark past from the white side of his family. It is a deep dive into into the complexities of both the father-son relationship and the struggle with one's own identity, told through richly detailed, beautiful prose.

I will recommend this book to all of my reading friends. It will also make an excellent book club selection for a club that prefers serious, thought provoking reads. I do not often read a book twice, but this is a book I will definitely return to.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this exceptional book!

This is a very interesting read for me. The narrator takes several turns which if you’re not keeping up could be a little hard to follow. There’s present time, there’s flashbacks, there’s time where he’s speaking to his son, and then there’s the illusions that he has while he is goes back-and-forth in time? After a couple chapters, you start getting into the rhythm of the narrator stream of consciousness and it makes it easier to follow the story. Then it shifts a little because he starts seeing visions because he is mixing pills and alcohol and becomes a little delusional and then he sees clarity. It is very Meta that it’s a book within a book within a book. It’s very interesting take on this story I liked it however, I feel the blurb talked more about what he’s going to do now that he is the owner of this plantation, but there wasn’t enough focus on that part of the story. It was more about him and his mental health.

Writers much more talented than I am will leave, or have already left, reviews and analyses of Devil is Fine by author John Vercher and will explore in better detail than I can the hidden meanings and symbolism and historical references. But as “just” a reader I want to say how stunning this book was, how engrossing, how much it affected me. It is going to be very hard to top this as a favorite book of the year for me or maybe just a favorite book period. It’s that good. I had no idea what to expect when I received an advance copy of Devil is Fine from Celadon Books via NetGalley, and I must admit it started slowly for me. Not knowing what it was really about or where it was going, it seemed to jump all over the place. But I stuck with it and I am so glad I did. Author Vercher was not “jumping all over the place” but was in fact laying out the threads of the story that would be followed and explored and tugged and finally pulled together into an amazing conclusion.

For me one of the marks of a good writer is the ability to write about people, places, situations, experiences that aren’t what I’m used to, aren’t like me or my life, aren’t an easy reference for me to relate to, but that somehow magically make me feel the emotions of those characters that aren’t like me, feel surrounded by the places and events I haven’t experienced, cause me to fall into the story. John Vercher did just that.

The narrator is often a hard man to like, especially at the beginning of Devil is Fine. Even though he has just lost his teenage son when the story begins, you often don’t quite feel sorry for him or care if his life becomes better. Mostly you think he should get a clue, wake up, figure it out, be the adult. His ex-wife, the mother of their dead child, isn’t much more appealing. But keep reading because author Vercher just keeps adding so much depth, nuance, awkwardness, emotion, and enabling feelings so strong that you are nearly overwhelmed.

Flashbacks to times spent with his son throughout his son’s short life – more often than not disagreements or arguments as his son grew older – are illuminating and heartbreaking and made such an impact, as when his son pushed back yet again against his father’s overbearing demand that he accept religion and God. When his son said to him, “If I got to choose between your God and the devil, then the devil is fine,” it was not only a shuddery, tissue-worthy moment but also an eye-opener in the context of the story and history and what was happening all around them.

Devil is Fine is full of sorrow and regret and missed opportunity. And also full of hope and fine people. And just enough otherworldly mysticism to keep you riveted. It has so many angles that converge just right; it really should be required reading. Celadon Books publishes a highly curated small list of titles each year, and the staff selections never, ever disappoint. I am always anxious to read what is up next and thrilled and thankful to receive advanced copies as a Celadon Reader. Devil is Fine has my highest recommendation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

This was a beautifully written book that follows a biracial author/professor who is grieving the death of his son. After his son’s funeral, he finds out that he has inherited some land which ends up being an old plantation.

The writing is so beautiful and lyrical. The descriptions were vivid, and I found myself being sucked into the story.

I really enjoyed the depth of the story and the discussions on race, grief, and family. However, there were some fun elements to this book - including lots of humour which made me laugh out loud. There was also some magical realism aspects which was honestly a little bit weird at times but also really added to the story!

Overall, its a beautiful story about healing, identity, and confronting the past. I would highly recommend this book if you are into literary fiction!

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Celadon Books and John Vercher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After the death of his son, the narrator find that he has come into possession of land that would have been his son’s, given by his white grandfather. In the surprising twist, the land is, of all things, a former plantation. Our narrator, being biracial is now left with the horrors of the history of this land, all while dealing with his own demons.

4/5 ⭐️

This book was… an experience. The writing style and voice very new to me. I found myself crying, laughing, being comforted, and feeling uneasy, all within a few pages. The commentary on loss and reclaiming, being broken and healing was powerful. After reading it, it took a little bit for me to real sort out what I felt about it. It is beautifully and weirdly written. I was taken through a journey I will not soon forget.

Read if you like:
⏳ Historical Fiction Vibes
🖤 Discussions on Race
😭 Grief
🥂 Alcoholism
✨ Magical Realism

This book is one that absolutely will make you immersed in the story telling and be hard to put down because of the style it was written with.

The book felt like a memoir and like I was sitting having a story told to me at a bar with friends all while delivering a fictional story with elements of magical realism that truly delve into the emotional and mental state of the main character further.

The way that race and racism in America was discussed truly laid out feelings that I have as a white woman in a way that was so much deeper and more involved than my own anger because of my lack of lived experiences to feel it deeper because I personally haven’t been effected by performative DEIA trends that have moved as being in trend to now being out of trend, this was further deepened by the use of the words “I can’t breathe” while our main character was being pinned down by the police in once scene, this one scene alone was so triggering and visceral and so important.

The discussion of being lost, not knowing who you are, all while struggling with depression, loss, anger, and addition were so well done and these heavy topics were covered with care, and truly the use of the imagery with the jellyfish further pushed these difficult conversations and topics home even harder for me as the reader.

If you are looking for your next read, you truly can’t go wrong with this book, especially with the timing of it’s publication being the day prior to Juneteenth on the 4th anniversary of being a recognized federal holiday in America.

Thank you so much to Celadon for my ARC and to Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my review. This is a book I’ve already recommended and will continue to think about for a while to come.

Devil is Fine
This very inventive novel tells the story of an unnamed mixed-race creative writing professor who is having problems selling his latest book, putting his tenure in jeopardy. He is also mourning the death of his only son. To his surprise, he inherits a former plantation from the white side of his family, and travels to put the property on the market.

The professor has a host of issues. He has never really dealt with the death of his son. Being half Black and half white, he struggles with being neither race. His ex-wife, the mother of his son, is Black, so his son is darker than he is, causing problems in their relationship. Then there’s his caustic attitude, which causes him to constantly shoot himself in the foot with people who try to help him.

On top of that, he suffers from mysterious psychological incidents that may be hallucinations, or ghostly visitations, or dreams, or just plain craziness. These incidents are told in the present tense, while the rest of the novel is past tense. The reader is deliberately confused by them, creating an odd mixture of fantasy/magic and realism.

I enjoyed this book a lot, even though there were parts that I felt were a bit over the top and/or over-written. I admired the author’s skill in discussing the very tricky issues of being biracial, even while I wished that the character wasn’t so much of a downer all the time. The plot kept me turning pages quickly, as I was eager to see how the magical realism aspects would play out. And I desperately wanted the protagonist to reconcile with his dead son, the person he speaks most of the novel to, as a sort of act of redemption.

Book clubs would enjoy unraveling the many themes presented in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy of this book.