I was sucked into this story from the very beginning. Ebby’s growth and family’s story was engaging through the whole book. The shorter chapters really made this book flyby. I learned some new information about American history as well. Can’t wait to read what this author writes next since I’ve loved both her books.

For readers who:
- liked Black Cake
- enjoy deep, emotional books
- appreciate dual timeline novels
- have an interest in the history of the slave trade

I loved the main character, Ebby. I appreciated that she was strong and independent enough to tell Henry to F off. I loved that the jar was almost a character itself, and the trauma that Ebby held was well written. The ending did feel like a bit too much lead up, and it fell a little flat for me.

Overall, I liked Good Dort, but it doesn’t top Black Cake. Wilkerson is a phenomenal writer in both, however.

After the undeniable power of Black Cake, I was excited to read Good Dirt and it did not disappoint as a follow up to such a strong debut.

Wilkerson is a true storyteller. There’s so much richness here as heartbreak, family legacy, brokenness, race, class, history, and more are expertly explored through well thought out and rounded characters.

I expect this to be a buzzy book club pick for 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

Good Dirt is a story centered around family tragedy, perseverance, and healing. This was a wonderful slow burn that had me enraptured by the end. This was an incredibly moving story. The Freeman family has a special place in my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the ties that bind us to our past. The story follows three generations of women as they navigate their relationships, their histories, and the secrets that have shaped their lives. Wilkerson’s prose is rich and evocative, drawing readers into the intimate world of the characters with warmth and depth.

The multi-generational narrative is compelling, and the exploration of cultural heritage and personal growth adds layers to the story. However, at times, the pacing can feel a bit slow, and certain plot developments felt predictable. Still, the emotional depth of the characters and the themes of resilience and reconciliation make this a worthwhile and rewarding read.

Overall, much like the author's debut novel, Black Cake, Good Dirt is a moving, thought-provoking novel that will resonate with readers who enjoy family sagas and stories about healing and self-discovery. A strong 4-star read.

Words are power, and when you come across an author whose words convey richness and depth, along with power and voice, to a story as majestically as Wilkerson, you are transformed. I believe she has just catapulted herself into the top spot on my favorite author list.
Through the story of Ebby, Wilkerson builds a mosaic of her history, her people’s history and ultimately our country’s history throughout. A plot that takes you from past to present and back again, with a plethora of detail, varied points of view, and characters that are artfully pieced together, a novel based in truths of the past comes to fruition. Within the telling of Ebby’s journey, stories within stories are intertwined, which held me enchanted. The various experiences of the characters elicited all the feelings on a visceral level, and I felt I was right there with them.
If you thought Black Cake was good, this is going to knock your socks off. Good Dirt is amazing, the best novel to have ended this year, and if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

I loved Wilkerson's debut novel Black Cake. However, I am not so sure on Good Dirt. I would have liked this novel more if it was organized better. The randomness of the timeline along with characters that appeared and disappeared out of the storyline distracted me from the main plot. I also felt like the Henry and Avery storyline did nothing to enhance the story. I wish there was more stories from the past and how it helped influence the Freeman family today vs. the storyline in France.

Good Dirt is another evocative and original novel by Charmaine Wilkerson. Her story is centered around a simple clay jar that turns out to be far from simple - I love how this author can take an inanimate object like a black cake or a clay jar and bring it to life like another character in her story. Wilkerson is also masterful at blending genres, making this novel a combination of literary fiction, mystery, and historical fiction. If you enjoyed Black Cake, you'll like this new novel too. If you are new to Charmaine Wilkerson's writing, this is a great place to start.

Book clubs will find many themes to discuss.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook version of this novel in exchange for a review.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wilkerson returns post 'Black Cake' hiatus with another moving family saga and once again, hits her mark. I really enjoyed the murder mystery element of this book that did not feel overdone or campy, it was simply just an element of the story and a piece of who the characters were/how they reacted to different situations. When a family heirloom turns out to hold more than just a sentimental spot in her family's heart, the entire story turns on its head.

I found the writing to be very evocative in this story and I really appreciated the way that Wilkerson framed everything up. Another great piece of literature that richly encompassed her own heritage while simultaneously telling a new story is a feat that most authors cannot fully overcome. Wilkerson does this with ease and my appreciation for her taking the time with this title, rather than just churning out the next idea at the drop of a hat, is obvious here.

Four stars.

After reading and loving Wilkerson’s first book, Black Cake, I have been eagerly awaiting her next novel. A blend of contemporary and historical fiction, Good Dirt tells the story of the Freeman’s, a wealthy Black family in New England, going back generations. Ebby, in present day, is navigating her life after an abrupt canceled wedding and is still dealing with the trauma of her brother’s murder two decades prior. While Ebby is figuring out what’s next for her, an important family heirloom is never far from her mind. “Old Mo” is a piece of pottery that has been with her family for generations and was originally taken with one of their enslaved ancestors during his escape. Old Mo, a family member in his own right, holds much Freeman family lore and history.

There is so much to this story and I thought it was so powerful and important! While there are many timelines and characters, I think Wilkerson beautifully flows everything together. It’s clear the author did a lot of research in writing this story. I would recommend to readers who enjoyed Black Cake and readers of multi-generational family stories and historical fiction

Absolutely fantastic- no less than one would expect from the fabulous Charmaine Wilkerson! A multi-layered, well written novel that grabs you from word one.

“Because to tell your story was to experience a kind of freedom. To be able to share news of your adventures, and name your relations and favorite places, was to be a man.”

Like Wilkerson’s debut novel, Black Cake, the quote above sums up one of the main themes of the story which is storytelling. Being fascinated by the first novel I wasn’t sure how it would hold up to her sophomore piece, but it still held its own and kept me enraptured in the plot. The novel is similar but different to Black Cake in its structuring but also tells a new multigenerational story of a family overcoming trauma, navigating their history, and discovering their identity. Like Wilkerson states in her author’s note, “History can be told only through a chorus of voices. Storytelling can be part of that chorus”.

The author has such a way with words and the way she weaves storylines of the past and present to create her stories. Though fictional characters, much of the history in this novel was tied to real-life events and pottery created back in the 1800s. It was fascinating, although sometimes harrowing, to read how the Freeman’s history of “Old Mo” came to be and how one object alone can hold so many stories. reading this novel made me think about stories I had been told about the items in families house-holds and learning about previous ancestors that have crafted or passed down items. Though it may seem to be just a jar, the story highlights the importance of items that may seem insignificant to others.

I enjoyed reading about each character through the multiple perspectives presented in the story. The novel is a testament to why it’s so important to learn about history and how tragedy can reshape us. I thoroughly enjoyed this read from beginning to end. The mixture of a family saga, romance, history, and mystery kept me engaged with the novel and I never wanted the novel to end. Highly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy stories about multigenerational narratives and history.

I enjoyed it very much. The style was very much the same as the authors previous book Black Cake with the going back and forth between the past and the present and again it was done very well. I did have some issues with the pacing in the begining but I did enjoy how it all came together. The characters were very real and very flawed and I enjoyed the character growth and the healing of the main character Ebony and her parents. I was a little upset that they never really got justice for Baz but I understand it because in reality you don't always get that kind of closure but I love how they honored his memory. It's definitely not a quick read and you really have to take time to digest the information and the characters and it took me a little longer than expected because of this and some issues with pacing but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was rich and interesting and touching read.

GOOD DIRT by Charmaine Wilkerson is a captivating genre crossing novel that I found impossible to put down. Part historical fiction, part family saga, and part romance, this book blends richly drawn characters and superb storytelling.

It’s a story that explores grief, mental health, tragedy, heartbreak, tradition, racism, slavery, ancestry, healing, and the importance of history in shaping the present and future. Told via multiple perspectives and across various timelines, GOOD DIRT is the story of the Freeman family and, by proxy, part of the African American experience.

Central to the story is Ebby Freeman who as a child witnessed her brother’s brutal murder as part of a home invasion. Now an adult, Ebby’s life is again turned upside down after a publicly humiliating failed romance. Much of the Freeman family history is tied to a pottery jug that’s been in their possession for generations. It’s such an important piece of family lore that it has a name and identity all it’s own. Old Mo holds not only the Freeman family past, but also the key to its future.

Ms. Wilkerson has woven an intricate and beautiful tapestry. I was captivated by her storytelling and ability to create a story that was both hopeful and reflective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

As a young child, Ebby Freeman faced unimaginable loss when a home invasion shattered her family, taking both her brother and Old Mo—a 175 year old jar that has been in their family for six generations. Years later, reeling from the fallout of a failed engagement, she flees to France in search of solace, only to realize the past isn’t so easily left behind. Good Dirt seamlessly blends past and present in a sweeping tale of family and resilience.

Good Dirt is a thought-provoking read that inspires reflection. What truly stands out is the emphasis on oral history and storytelling passed down through generations, highlighting the enduring power of words. The inscription on the jar—Old Mo—carries profound significance, serving as the foundation and inspiration for the Freeman family legacy. While the multiple POVs and timelines occasionally disrupt the pacing of the plot, there is depth to this sweeping multigenerational story. Impactful and memorable, I recommend this book to all who enjoy a multigenerational epic and can easily see it becoming a book club favorite upon release.

Thank you Ballantine Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Five stars, couldn’t put it down. Is it too early to start my best of ‘25 list?!? Good Dirt is an epic multi-generational story spanning over 175 years of family history that jumps in time from Southern slavery to present day, with an ending that brings the story full circle. We learn about our main protagonist Ebby; -herself, her family, her ancestry from past to present, and of a now-broken stoneware jar carried North by her enslaved ancestor that holds the key to unlocking Ebby’s future. On page, these powerful, heartbreaking stories told through multi-POVs and multi-timelines exploring racism, trauma and family legacy are not whitewashed.. and although fictional, I can’t imagine a more thorough telling of one family’s Black history than what’s within these pages. Bravo, CW, Bravo!! Pub. 1/28/25

I absolutely loved this beautiful story. Part historical fiction, part mystery, part family drama, and part romance, it truly had everything I could possibly want. I thoroughly enjoyed Black Cake but Good Dirt may be even better! I loved the history of the jug, I loved Ebby’s story and personal growth, I loved the story of Ebby’s family and their fierce pride in their rich history. I wouldn’t change a thing about this perfect book and cannot recommend it enough. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

A fascinating story, and one which I found very hard to put down. Good Dirt is a story that offers many different ways in. I’m grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this prior to publication.
The story focuses primarily on the character of Ebby Freeman, who as a young girl of ten was witness to the shooting of her older brother. Blaming herself for forcing him to play hide and seek, Ebby has never shared that she heard the gunmen come in and ask her brother where the precious family heirloom - a jar that had been made by their enslaved ancestor - was. She has never shared that her brother tried to save the family heirloom and, as a result, was shot. Neither Ebby nor her parents has ever really talked about the events of that day, or the precious object that led to these events taking place.
When the story opens Ebby has run away to France, trying to get over the upset felt at being dumped on her wedding day by her white fiancé Henry. She is, understandably, shocked when Henry arrives to stay with his new girlfriend at the same place Ebby is looking after.
Though Ebby is at the forefront of much of the story, I was captivated by the details given about the family history and the significance of the jar. It felt fitting that much of the story centred on the role it played within the lives of the respective family members.

Ebony “Ebby” Freeman’s young life was irrevocably changed the day her older brother Baz was killed in a home invasion, his body surrounded by the broken shards of a stoneware jar that had been in the Freeman family since it was crafted by an enslaved ancestor. The crime was never solved, and Ebby continues to be plagued by trauma. After her wedding to a prominent young banker is called off when the groom does a no-call, no-show, Ebby flees to France to process and heal hurts both new and old.

Charmaine Wilkerson’s sophomore novel is a sweeping, ambitious multi-generational saga. It’s moving and beautifully written, spanning centuries and generations of Freemans. The history of the jar affectionally known as Old Mo begins with the history of enslaved persons in the American South and their role in the creation of pottery. The plot is non-linear and features many POVs, weaving the threads of Ebby’s story in the present with the threads of her family history as Old Mo’s creator endures enslavement in South Carolina, escapes, and works his way north. This emotional and compelling story unflinchingly tackles a number of heart-wrenching themes, ultimately ending on a beautiful and hopeful note.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.

Well written, emotional, meaningful and important, this novel embodies the words said by one character, “history can told only through a chorus of choices”. Ebby experienced a horrible tragedy when her beloved brother, Baz, was shot in their home when she was younger. The after effects of that tragedy impacted the family, as her mother and father also try to move forward. At the time of the shooting, a handmade piece of pottery, a jar, that travelled through many generations of the family, was broken, but the stories surrounding it were essential to the novel. The chapters move back and forth through the slave history of the family, and the current time where Ebby must face how much her life has been impacted by her history and that event. I highly recommend this excellent novel. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.