The second half of this book was significantly more engaging and interesting than the first. If only the character interactions in the beginning could have been less about emotional relationships and more about the characters' engagement with the jar! The jar was almost another character in the book, which was great!

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is a beautifully layered exploration of family, heritage, and the power of untold stories. The novel dives deep into the lives of its characters, uncovering the hidden connections and histories that bind them. Wilkerson’s writing is lush and evocative, drawing readers into a narrative that seamlessly weaves between past and present, allowing the characters’ stories to unfold at a gentle, steady pace. The way she captures the complexities of family relationships and the weight of legacy is masterful, making the book feel both intimate and universal.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its ability to handle themes of cultural identity, generational trauma, and resilience without feeling heavy-handed. Each character is meticulously crafted, their struggles and triumphs resonating long after the story ends. While the pacing can be slow at times, the depth of emotion and rich storytelling make it worth savoring. Good Dirt isn’t just about the past; it’s about how the past shapes who we are, how we grow, and what we choose to pass on. Fans of character-driven, introspective narratives will find much to love in this thoughtful, poignant novel that leaves you reflecting on the stories buried beneath the surface of our lives.

Good Dirt is another great read by Charmaine Wilkerson. I really enjoyed her previous novel Black Cake and this too did not disappoint.

We meet Ebby Freeman and learn that at 10 years old she witnessed her older brother Baz’s murder over the attempted theft of a family heirloom. The murder goes unsolved and the family is in the spotlight for many years. The story is told from multiple points of view with many characters and is multigenerational. Time hops between early 1800’s to present day and deals with family trauma, love and loss.

This multigenerational story shifts POVs and timelines inconsistently, but overall is a compelling story. There is also a bit of anticipatory fatigue. Too many people have secrets; wouldn't life be easier if everyone could just be honest from the get go?

I Loved Charmaine Wilkerson's first book that I read, Black Cake, so much so that I did expect this book to be as good. Good Dirt is a terrific story,

I loved reading the history of the Freeman family. The night of the attempted burglary was horrifying to read and to think about and all the gathering stories after that which seemed to fall into specific categories made so much sense. Ms. Wilkerson's timeline of the Jar, the attempted robbery, Baz's murder, and all that happens after is breath taking. I fell in love with Ebby and her family! This is a book of history in America, its true history and should be read by all.

But I have so many questions, namely what was the name of the man who wanted to steal Big MO? What was his wife's name...why were they never charged for hiring burglars to break into the Freeman home? . Sorry about the spoilers, but these questions only add to my review of the story.

Oftentimes, with books spanning generations and covering so much ground, stories and characters become either convoluted or watered down, but Good Dirt packs a punch. Every one of its story threads is potent in its own way; Ebby's childhood and the death of her brother, the threads of her ancestral roots as Old Mo is created and passed through the family, and Ebby's present, in which she's grappling with being abandoned by her fiancé. This story is primarily a meditation on trauma in all its various forms: how it's encoded into one's DNA, how it manifests and follows people throughout their lives. But even with this, Wilkerson manages to make the book engaging and emotionally resonant without making it depressing or dreary. It is rich with detail, but never gets lost in its own reverie. It feels deeply personal, without being gratuitous. Having previously read Black Cake, which was similarly historically rich, I have to say Wilkerson is quickly becoming a 'must read' author for me. Fans of Yaa Gyasi will surely love this, as it bears many of the same hallmarks, though I think is even more accessible.

This is an interesting story that I would recommend especially if you enjoy African American generational stories. As I read the book, I wondered about the title. Numerous references were made to dirt, mud, earth, clay or soil and ultimately pottery or stoneware. There’s a deep meaning to the title that ties to the roots of a clay, pottery jar called Old Mo. The jar, Old Mo, has been a part of the Freeman family for six generations. It developed a life of its own and became a key character in the plot. It is associated with enslavement, fugitives, robbery, murder, marriage, breakup, and familial love. I believe Old Mo is a symbol of freedom. This is a book about escape and freedom.

I found the book thought provoking and well written. Ebony (Ebby) is left at the altar by a white man, Henry and the death of her brother, Baz. These themes thread throughout the book but are tightly tied to events surrounding the “life” of the jar. The challenges of an elite African American family in the white American culture and society are clearly understood. This is not an ordinary “generational” or African American novel. I felt it runs much deeper and is very well done. While at times it was difficult but realistic, it felt like a true portrayal of African American people.

The reason I gave the book four and not five stars is because of the character Avery. Ebony’s interaction with Avery just did not feel plausible. I’m unsure what purpose Avery served the story. I’d be interested in knowing if the author would share! Overall, it is an excellent book and was a page turner. I think it probably will win some awards and be a bestseller. Read it, you won’t regret it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher, Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, and the author for the privilege to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel is a spectacular read. It has themes we are quite familiar with —loss, grief, family trauma, the long reach of slavery into a family’s DNA— but is told with a compelling twist.

This is not the story we are accustomed to. It is the tale of a well-educated, affluent Black family living in an exclusive residential area on the Connecticut coast. The tropes are familiar yet there are new perspectives Each of the chapters is told from a different character’s point of view giving the reader a close connection with the thoughts that lie beneath the action.

The nuclear Freeman family is comprised of Ed and Soh, the parents, murdered son Baz, and daughter Ebby. The book opens when Ebby, given no reason, is jilted on her wedding day. She flees to a village in France and stays at her friend’s house. There is a rental cottage on the property and while she is there, her white ex-fiancé, Henry, shows up for the rental with his new girlfriend, Avery. Ouch! Add insult to injury. But, Ebby may be struggling, but she has an innate confidence in herself.

The crisis in the contemporary family occurred when Ebby was still a child, She and her fifteen-year-old brother were home playing hide and seek when two masked gunman broke in. She not only witnessed the shooting but along with the entire family has been beseiged by never ending publicity.

The family suffered two major losses that afternoon— the death of Baz and the loss of a large stone mason jar symbolic of the family’s history. The jar was brought to New England by an enslaved ancestor on his flight to freedom from the South. Ebby, understandably traumatized by the murder, still suffers its impact. The jar might be the way she finds her way to a future.

The stories of the slave characters were fully wrought. Willis and Moses became my favorite people. The cruel history is there but the personalities and skills of that characters rise above that. The making of pottery was an important skill acquired by slaves. The title of the book, Good Dirt, comes from the basic material of stoneware. The travels up north, the whaling industry, the flight to freedom. All of it was expertly woven into the story and clearly showed the courage, resilience, and forward thinking of every member of this family.

Choosing to tell the story from all points of view was very effective. What Wilkerson has done by this is given the reader entry to this colorful, interesting, resourceful family from past to present.

The story is compelling, its themes significant, and the writing is superb. I haven't read Wilkerson's previous novel, Black Cake, but will move it to the top to my list.

Many thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for the opportunity to honestly review this advanced readers copy.

Good Dirt is so good and kept me entertained throughout! Black Cake (Charmaine's amazing first novel) is such a tough act to follow, but she managed to make Good Dirt nearly as enjoyable. I did find myself confused a few times with the different pov's, but it all came together in the end. Definitely recommend for a sweeping enjoyable novel.

Thank you to net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle.
If you enjoyed Black Cake, you'll like this one, too!

In this multigenerational family drama, Ebby is overcoming the trauma from seeing her brother shot and killed in their family home at just 10 years old. The reader follows the Freeman family from slavery until present day and looks at the affluent family at the heart of it all.

This book was a bit of a mess. I think an editor should have made it more cohesive for a better read. Unfortunately it really took away from the story. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher

I received a free copy of, Good Dirt, by Charmaine Wilkerson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When Ebby was a child she heard a gunshot and found the body of her brother, Ebby has carried this with her throughout her life, even to France. This book was good.

I loved Black Cake by this author and was excited to read this book.

This is a story of a jar that has been in the family for generations. The story has many timelines which made it seem disconnected to me. Honestly, I was a little bored with the story and did not like the whole storyline of Henry and Avery. I felt it didn’t contribute anything to the story. The book could have been written more about the jars history with just a few of Ebby and Baz’s life with the jar and how they related to the jar would have been much more enjoyable. I did love when you finally found out the inscription on the bottom of the jar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc copy for my honest review.

Multiple POV and dual timelines shares a multi generational story. We learn how our ancestral history impacts us and the ways we are all connected.

I loved the intertwined stories from today and the 1800s. The chapter set in France were filled with dreamy details that helped me understand why Ebony found some peace there.

Some aspects fell flat for me. There are pieces of the story that felt like there was huge build up to some surprising twist. Despite knowing this was not a suspenseful or twisty book, I still found myself waiting for the big moment. I found myself disappointed that most of the “twists” were just points of miscommunication.

This novel is a Family Saga driven by the nature and complexities of human experience, a rich tapestry of good and bad generational inheritance.

We follow Ebby Freeman and her affluent parents as they navigate prejudice, trauma, and survivor’s guilt. All three carry the weight of loss, the young life of a beloved son and brother cut short during a home invasion. Years later, after being silently abandoned at the altar by Henry Pepper, she seeks refuge and solitude to tend to her new and old wounds. A friend who owns rental property offers Ebby a chance to escape scrutiny, a working sabbatical in France. Still grappling with the tragic loss of her brother and a fiancé, Ebby uses this trip to offer a new perspective on the events of her life and time to plan for the future. Just when Ebby feels her painful grip on the past may finally loosen . . . she finds herself in heart-pounding confrontation with it.

Be prepared that this novel is historical fiction and the timeline oscillates between past and present. Exploring how history, personal experiences, and family lore can play an essential role in shaping destiny is so interesting. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy stories of adversity and resilience.

I thank NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of Good Dirt for my unbiased evaluation.  5 stars

I was so excited to get an ARC of Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson from @netgalley. I really liked her previous book, Black Cake and couldn’t wait to read her next book. Good Dirt is the story of Ebony ‘Ebby’ Freeman and a beloved family heirloom affectionately referred to as ‘Old ‘Mo’. ‘Old ‘Mo’ is a hand thrown earthen ware jar made by one of Ebby’s distant enslaved relatives. It is an integral part of their family, and also the center of a heartbreaking family tragedy. The story begins in Africa with the capture of a female potter whose family has been killed or captured to be taken to America. There are three timelines, but they are clearly written and very important to the story line. The present day story begins with Ebby in France staying at the home of a friend after being jilted by her fiancé at the alter. Along the way, we learn the history of Old Mo, how Old Mo was the center of a horrific murder of one of Ebby’s family members, and how she begins to piece together the solution to a crime that was never solved. Excellent storytelling and I learned a lot about potter.

Beautiful written story about loss, love and perseverance.

That being said, this book was not for me. I found myself bored and the story to be repetitive. I wasn’t invested in the characters and found them all to be obnoxious at times. A lot of miscommunication and failure to speak up throughout the whole story. Every character had some type of secret that was depicted as being horrible and earth shattering. These “revelations” would implode all of the lives around them if they got out. I was underwhelmed by said secrets and annoyed at the dramatics.

Way too many POVs. And the story line of Henry’s injury in France…I still don’t see its relevance.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review

Charmaine Wilkerson has written a powerful historical fiction about the human condition.
The protagonist (Ebony ( Ebby) Freeman develops into an intelligent , adept young woman having coped with the traumatic events that happen.
Multiple characters are portrayed learning, growing, gaining profound inner strength having struggled to survive as well as thrive through their traumatic life experiences.
The author's description of natural beauty , human greed and cruelty, unparalleled success of Ebby's ancestors and current family resonates with magical , thought provoking prose. Her personification of artisanal slave made clay pot (Old Mo') resonates thought provoking benefits to the reader throughout the story. The deep dive into romantic, familial , interpersonal relationships reveals the prowess and resiliency of these human connections.
Good Dirt is aptly titled and a excellently written book.

I received a free ebook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I like fiction and there is nothing better than good fiction. This book is good fiction.

The book keeps you on your toes. I thought the book was about one thing. Then I thought it was about something else. Then I realized to just enjoy the book. It isn't predictable. It doesn't have huge surprises in the book. The book is about life in so many ways.

There are two stories entertained in the book. The book goes back to different times. It is told by different characters. This book works. It is difficult, usually, to read a book like this but here it works.

It is a book where you really get to know the characters. All the characters are very human. The book teaches you forgiveness. It is a lot of empathy for the characters.

The book deals with big issues. It deals with death, tragedy, family, forgiveness, love, sacrifice, humility, friendship, embarrassment, character, honestly, ethics, and so MUCH more

This is a book to be reread. It's a book that I would like to meet the author at an event. I can't wait to read the authors next book.