by Ann E Beman: Set in New England, and briefly France, Wilkerson’s second novel explores more family secrets, trauma, and identity. With a timeline ranging from 1803 to 2021, Good Dirt is a multigenerational, historical epic told from multiple points of view. Because, “History is a collective phenomenon. It can only be told through a chorus of voices.”
The novel’s keystone is Old Mo, a 20-gallon stoneware jar crafted by an enslaved man in a South Carolina pottery. For six generations, Old Mo has been part of the Freeman family, an affluent Black family living in a well-to-do New England enclave. Wilkerson deftly ties together the family’s and the novel’s multiple threads. I’d argue that the threads set in France could have been nixed, but overall, I was drawn in by the characters, plot devices, and history lessons. An engrossing book — emotional, reflective, medium-paced, informative, poignant, and hopeful — it would make for excellent book club discussions.
Thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an opportunity to read and share my opinion of this book.
