rmwh's review against another edition
4.0
Johnson's writing style is gorgeous. The prose is delicate yet impactful. The novella, "My Monticello," is emotional and well-developed. I don't have as much to say as I thought I would, but I will note that the short stories ought to be collected on their own and "My Monticello" could easily be a novel on its own. I would read twice as much of the novella. These are only formatting opinions, though; it's not cohesive as one physical work, but it is absolutely worth reading.
I won this ARC via a Goodreads giveaway.
I won this ARC via a Goodreads giveaway.
chantelmccray's review against another edition
4.0
My Monticello contains five short stories that are sort of realistic, plus a superb distopian-ish novella that is uncomfortably close to present day racial realities in America.
In the title novella, as ocean tides rise and electricity fails, armed white men in jeeps, blaring "The Star Spangled Banner" and shouting "OURS!" set fire to a mostly Black neighborhood in Charlottesville. They force black students to leave campus. In the midst of the chaos, our narrator, Da'Naisha Love, her boyfriend, and her asthmatic grandmother, take refuge at a deserted Monticello. Da’Naisha is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. There they meet other black people who have fled there to escape the white supremacists who have taken over their community.
Great premise, right? Jocelyn Nicole Johnson is a fresh and exciting voice. She’s definitely one to watch.
In the title novella, as ocean tides rise and electricity fails, armed white men in jeeps, blaring "The Star Spangled Banner" and shouting "OURS!" set fire to a mostly Black neighborhood in Charlottesville. They force black students to leave campus. In the midst of the chaos, our narrator, Da'Naisha Love, her boyfriend, and her asthmatic grandmother, take refuge at a deserted Monticello. Da’Naisha is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. There they meet other black people who have fled there to escape the white supremacists who have taken over their community.
Great premise, right? Jocelyn Nicole Johnson is a fresh and exciting voice. She’s definitely one to watch.
mandkips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Slavery
gypsynyx91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
unfxckwhittable's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
readingatthemuseum's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ddvan2005's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5