Ezri Maxwell, along with sisters Eve and Emanuelle grew up in Oak Creek Estates an all-white (except for their family) gated community in the suburbs of Dallas. They never really fit in, plus as soon as they moved in bad, unexplainable things began to happen. Despite it all the Maxwells, led by a tough, stubborn mother, persevered and remained in their home.

As adults all the children were more than ready to flee the house but their parents stayed…and were found dead there in what the police believe may have been a murder suicide. Ezri doesn’t buy it and knows the house finally killed them. Ezri, returns, with their own daughter to try determine, along with Eve and Emanuelle, what really happened at 677 Acacia Drive.

A really interesting book. Ezri is a well-thought out, mess of a character. They are not well and are totally accepting of that. They even accept that they may be the problem, “was it me all along, deluded and deranged who made [the house] into something sinister? It is me who haunts, me who is the ghost?”

And there is ambiguity throughout, if the reader chooses to see it that way. Filled with love of family, systemic racism, many, MANY statements on gender this is definitely a novel of today. The only false note for me was the interaction with the neighbor, Keith. I didn’t really buy him speaking the way he did to Ezri, who has just lost their parents. Maybe the interaction happens, but not with such foul hatred. It took me out of the scene a bit. Or maybe I’m just naive. Anyway, I liked this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In Rivers Solomon's "Model Home," readers are invited into a haunting exploration of trauma, family, and the indelible marks left by racism and segregation in the American South. Through the lens of protagonist Ezri Maxwell, Solomon weaves a narrative that transcends the conventional boundaries of genre, offering a raw and daring portrayal of queer identity, intergenerational trauma, and the quest for healing.

At the heart of the story lies the Maxwell siblings—Ezri, Eve, and Emanuelle—who navigate the treacherous terrain of their childhood home, a gated, suburban model home outside Dallas. From the outset, Solomon subverts expectations, flipping the haunted house trope upside down to uncover the dark inheritances of colonialism and racism embedded within the American suburban landscape. As the Maxwells confront the terrors of their past, they are forced to reckon with the secrets that have long lain dormant within the walls of their home.

Ezri emerges as the novel's central figure, a Black, fat, genderqueer parent on disability whose journey serves as a poignant reflection of the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Solomon deftly explores Ezri's trauma and resilience, illuminating the ways in which the chronic stress of racism manifests in physical and psychological health issues. Through Ezri's introspective lens, readers are confronted with the devastating impact of intergenerational trauma, as well as the enduring legacy of systemic oppression.

One of the novel's most striking elements is Solomon's interrogation of the concept of "Black Excellence" and its roots in white supremacy. Through Ezri's perspective, Solomon challenges prevailing narratives of success and achievement, exposing the insidious ways in which racism permeates even the most intimate aspects of daily life. In doing so, "Model Home" becomes not only a story of personal struggle but also a searing indictment of societal norms and structures.

Solomon's prose is as haunting as the themes it explores, evoking a sense of unease and disquiet that lingers long after the final page. From the eerie atmosphere of the Maxwell family home to the emotional turbulence of Ezri's inner world, every aspect of the narrative is suffused with a palpable sense of dread and foreboding. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Solomon paints a vivid portrait of trauma and resilience, inviting readers to bear witness to the complexities of the human experience.

Central to Ezri's journey is their struggle to define what healing means for themselves, particularly in a society that seeks to diminish and erase their existence. Solomon delves into the complexities of identity and self-discovery with a rare depth and nuance, challenging readers to confront their own preconceptions and biases. As Ezri grapples with the ghosts of their past, they are forced to confront the painful truths that lie at the heart of their own identity—a journey that is as harrowing as it is ultimately liberating.

Readers should be aware that while the sexual assault scenes are very mild, not very descriptive, and mostly implied, that childhood sexual assault ultimately serves as a key plot point. Both Ezri and their daughter are groomed and assaulted by adult white women. This is a poignant and critical antiracist critique, but it may be triggering for some readers.

"Model Home" is not an easy read, nor is it intended to be. It is a book that demands to be grappled with, to be wrestled with, to be felt in the depths of one’s bones. Through its unflinching portrayal of trauma and resilience, Solomon offers a searing critique of contemporary American life—a critique that is as necessary as it is urgent.

In conclusion, "Model Home" by Rivers Solomon is a haunting and thought-provoking examination of trauma, family, and the enduring legacy of racism in America. Through the lens of protagonist Ezri Maxwell, Solomon crafts a narrative that is as raw and daring as it is profoundly moving. It is a book that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and to bear witness to the resilience of the human spirit—a book that is, ultimately, an ode to the power of survival and the hope of redemption.

📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Black Liberation, Supporters of Queer Identity, Critics of Systemic Racism, Fans of Octavia E. Butler's "Parable of the Sower."

🔑 Key Themes: Black Identity, Queer Resilience, Intergenerational Trauma, Family Dynamics, Anti-oppression, Anti-racism, Community Solidarity, Healing Justice, Memory and Legacy.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Emotional abuse (minor), eating disorder (minor), death by suicide (severe), racism (severe), death of a parent (severe), estrangement (moderate), sexual violence (moderate), ableism (moderate) suicide attempt (minor), sexual content (severe), suicidal thoughts (severe), transphobia (minor), adult-minor relationship (severe), bullying (minor), misgendering (moderate), grooming (moderate), animal abuse (moderate), animal death (moderate)