Author:Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
'Riveting' Guardian
'Electrifying' Colson Whitehead
When the world collapses, where will you run?
After rolling blackouts and epic storms engulf America, the neighbourhood of First Street, Charlottesville comes under attack by violent white supremacists. A small group of families, friends and strangers flee for their lives, taking refuge in Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's historic plantation home in the hills above the town.
Over nineteen heart-stopping days the group, led by Da'Naisha Love - a young Black descendant of Jefferson and Sally Hemings - find ways to survive as the world burns beneath them. But with the terror below coming closer, they must decide how far they're willing to go to protect what's theirs . . .
'Absolutely unforgettable' Roxane Gay
'Stunning' Mail on Sunday
Riveting storytelling. This incandescent work speaks not just to the moment, but to history
—— Publishers Weekly (starred review)A badass debut by any measure - nimble, knowing, and electrifying
—— Colson Whitehead, twice-Pulitzer Prize winning author of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD and THE NICKEL BOYSAn electric new literary voice
—— EsquireAbsolutely unforgettable. Johnson's prose soars to remarkable heights
—— Roxane Gay, New York Times bestselling author of HUNGER and AYITIUnputdownable... Extraordinarily powerful... One of the finest books of 2021 and a future classic
—— The Bookseller, Book of the MonthMy Monticello is a magnificent debut that holds so much in its gaze. This breathtaking, artful book is a gift
—— Megha Majumdar, New York Times bestselling author of A BURNINGI was enthralled from the opening lines of this book. Stunning
—— Charles Yu, National Book Award-winning author of INTERIOR CHINATOWNThis is a stunning debut by a brilliant and original new voice
—— Danielle Evans, award-winning author of THE OFFICE OF HISTORICAL CORRECTIONSJohnson's debut book is stellar
—— Kirkus (starred review)A powerful and beautiful read
—— Nina Pottell , PrimaAn extraordinary debut from a gifted writer with an unflinching view of history and what may come of it.
—— Washington PostJohnson is a great observer. The novel is full of stunningly precise figurative language... [it's] utterly absorbing...a meditation of how the brutal past of slavery still has a potent legacy in contemporary America; it also portrays the redemptive powers of love and care
—— Tomiwa Owolade , Daily TelegraphThis powerful and memorable book is a must-read
—— Joanne Finney , Good HousekeepingA powerful, thought-provoking novel
—— Sarra Manning , Red[A] tenderly rendered apocalyptic novella... Johnson is an unusually sensitive writer, combining a mood of impending doom with language of soulful beauty
—— Claire Allfree , Daily MailThis brief, brilliant gut-punch of a novel is frighteningly plausible... Lush, harrowing, and entirely believable - a marvel of economy
—— Paul Connolly , MetroMy Monticello is short, satisfying and punchy: more debuts should be like this
—— John Self , The TimesStunning
—— Eithne Farry , Mail on SundayChilling, affecting and intelligent
—— Stuart Kelly , Scotland on SundayThis brief, brilliant gut-punch of a novel is frighteningly plausible
—— Paul Connolly , Metro, *Christmas Gift Guide 2021*My Monticello is a bleak story but reading it elicits the same kind of sensation that comes from listening to a poignant blues song: there is pleasure in its creation without denying the pain of the subject
—— Colin Grant , GuardianA history lesson, a fable, an inquiry into the nature of historic monuments, a heartfelt tale of community and above all a nail-biting story.
—— GuardianBeautifully written with unforgettable characters... My Monticello is an unforgettable and thought-provoking novella that will unsettle you to your core.
—— VoiceA wild ride through Americana
—— BuzzFeedHistory [and] adventure collide in The Lincoln Highway . . . The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a loud coffee shop
—— Associated PressMagnificent . . . Towles is a supreme storyteller, and this one-of-a-kind kind of novel isn't to be missed
—— Publishers Weekly[A] playfully thought-provoking novel . . . [Towles] juggles the pieces of his plot deftly, shifting from voice to voice, skirting sentimentality and quirkiness with a touch of wistful regret, and leading up to an ending that is bound to provoke discussion
—— BooklistA new author to me- but I'll be reading Amor's A Gentlemen in Moscow, as I was blown away by this... A heartfelt read, one that makes me think of coming of age film Stand By Me
—— PrimaA natural storyteller, Towles keeps the plot ticking over nicely in a solid holiday listen destined for the big screen
—— Irish ExaminerA perfect paperback
—— The HeraldA book to lose yourself in
—— Muddy StilettosFlannery excels at working that counterpoint of dark and light, comedy in the face of tragedy . . . A brilliant debut
—— Anglo-CeltQuietly beautiful . . . Flannery's characters are very well drawn, as is her understanding of small-town mores and idle gossip. It's a book that leaves and impression long after the final page
—— Irish IndependentAn amazing story
—— Amie McAuley , Belfast Telegraph