I enjoyed this book, but…
Mostly a gripping read, but there were a few parts of the story that I found did not really add to the tale, or were slightly unsatisfying.
Loved the historical aspects, and the story of the ancestors who escaped slavery, but was less convinced by some of the present-day characters and coincidences.
Almost a great book.

This book follows Ebony Freeman and the history of her family.

In 2000, the Freemans suffered a terrible tragedy: their home was broken into and Baz, the 15-year-old son, was shot dead. Ebony, or Ebby, was 10 at the time, and she witnessed the event.
Ever since that time, she’s had to live with the guilt of what had happened, and the curiosity of the local community. The Freemans were the only black family living in the area, so the obvious questions arose, such as “Was it because they were black?”, and “Did they bring it on themselves?”.

During the robbery, a storage jar named “Old Mo”, was smashed. Old Mo was a family heirloom dating back to the 1800s and it was made by their ancestor during the enslavement period.

In 2018, to add more fire to Ebby’s tragedy, her husband-to-be, Henry, leaves her on their wedding day with no explanation.

It is now 2019 and Ebby is trying to rebuild her life back together. She travels to France to visit her friend, Hannah, and stay in her house. Next to Hannah’s house, there is a gite, which Hannah lets out to tourists.

Imagine Ebby’s horror when one of the tourists turns out to be Henry (her Henry!) with a new girlfriend, Avery.

I won’t spoil any more of the plot, but you simply must read this book for yourselves.

I found it extremely moving and I really wanted for Ebby to move on. It seemed like she was stuck in 2000 and she wouldn’t let her brother go – which is understandable.

I really didn’t care for Henry – he was a coward, leaving Ebby in the lurch, and when he saw her in France, all of a sudden he wanted to explain himself. He’s had a full year to do so!

I loved the story of Old Mo, the jar. The harrowing story of the Freemans ancestors takes us back to the 1800 where we discover how the jar was made.

This book shows a portrayal of how brutal the slavery was, and also how against odds, human spirit prevails.

I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Michael Joseph for my NetGalley widget.

This really felt like a step up from her last novel - which was already very good. Here we meet an American Black middle-class family who go back many generations and have their own traditions and ways to behave just like the White families of the Eastern seaboard who still tend to think themselves superior.

An important member of the family is "Old Mo", a jar made by an enslaved man, Mo, a potter, which has passed down through the generations along with its forbidden scratched message and, we find, has had an important role in keeping the family history going and in helping others through the Underground Railroad in one section of its existence.

Skipping back and forth through the centuries, we learn organically about the master potters, forced labour making particular kinds of pottery, who gained certain privileges, but not many, and then the Black seamen of New England, working trading and whaling ships.

We live most in Ebony - Ebby's - timeline as she deals with the fallout of her brother's violent death and the feeling of all eyes being upon her, all mouths talking about her. The arrival at her refuge in rural France of the man who jilted her at the altar a year ago, complete with new girlfriend, feels like a romance trope but is handled a lot differently, giving opportunities for reparations and apologies which Henry, the foolish fop scion of an even more well-to-do family will likely need more guts and brains than he has to manage.

We root for Ebby and for her parents, and there are revelations that take in 9/11 and Covid times, again in a natural organic way, all the time popping back down the centuries to find out more about the ancestors.

What a tour de force, joining "Roots" and "Homegoing" in a seam of excellent deep histories of the Black American experience. It did remind me of what I've heard about "All that She Carried: the Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake" by Tiya Miles, so it was interesting to read in the author's note that she was indeed inspired by that nonfiction book as well as others.

Blog review out 11 Feb: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/book-review-charmaine-wilkerson-good-dirt/

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

Charmaine Wilkerson’s Good Dirt is a beautifully layered generational family saga that delves into themes of legacy, identity, and the weight of the past. The novel offers an immersive experience, drawing readers into its world with intertwined stories and family legacies.

That said, the first 30% of the book felt repetitive, often rehashing the same points multiple times within just a few pages. This made the beginning feel sluggish, as if the narrative was circling back on itself rather than progressing. However, once past that initial stretch, the story gained momentum, and I found myself more engaged with the unfolding story and the characters.

The pacing throughout the novel felt a bit uneven—sometimes moving too slowly, at other times picking up just enough to keep me invested. Despite this, it was a compelling story about family ties and personal history that ultimately makes for an interesting read.

If you enjoy multi-generational family stories with deep emotional layers, Good Dirt is worth picking up—just be prepared for a slow start before it finds its rhythm.

I expected something different when I started this novel, something a bit more straightforward I guess. We follow Ebby Freeman, a young, wealthy Black woman who has decided to spend some time in France as a break after her white fiance left her without a word on the morning of their wedding. Ebby is no stranger to tragedy as she was the only witness to her brother's murder in a robbery-gone-wrong when two men entered their family home to steal a precious jar, a family heirloom worth a lot of money, crafted by an enslaved ancestor.

That's it in a nutshell, but then of course there are many chapters where we meet the ancestors who made or received the jar (some for only one chapter), then the ex-fiancé resurfaces, then there's a bit of a thriller because we still don't know who robbed them and killed her brother Baz, then she meets an attractive French man... I enjoyed the initial premise of the novel but it went into too many directions and borrowed from so many genres I found it confused and confusing at times. Still, a well written novel with compelling characters.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

A captivating historical fiction novel that delves into a family’s history, trauma, and their search for a new beginning. The story follows Ebony “Ebby” Freeman, a 29-year-old woman who flees to France after a public romantic betrayal. There, she begins to unravel the past, including the unsolved murder of her brother and the destruction of a cherished family heirloom.

What I loved most about the book was how Wilkerson blends contemporary and historical fiction, intertwining multiple perspectives through a non-linear narrative, joined together by a family heirloom, Mo. Each character adds their own unique piece to the story, building a rich, multi-layered experience that keeps you engaged. The shifting timelines allows the reader to connect with the characters while exploring the impact of the past on their present lives. The conclusion was especially satisfying, tying up the narrative threads in a way that felt both rewarding and inevitable. With its deep emotional resonance and compelling storytelling, I can absolutely see why it’s one of the most anticipated books of 2025. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys intricate, reflective novels about family, history, and personal growth.

#Gifted #Netgalley

Good Dirt is the second novel from Charmaine Wilkerson, following on from the huge success of Black Cake, a book I really enjoyed.

Ebby Freeman has lived a careful life following the shocking murder of her older brother in their home, during a burglary gone wrong when they were both children. Ebby’s family seemed to be the only African American family living in their affluent coastal Connecticut neighbourhood at the time, and the tragedy they experienced along with their wealth and race, made for a major national news story.

Twenty years later, Ebby is set to marry her fiancé Henry, when he leaves her at the altar. Feeling unsure of her place in the world, and still dealing with ptsd from her brother’s death, she temporarily moves to France to mind her friend’s Airbnb, clear her head, and begin to write down the history of her enslaved ancestors; stories which still resonate strongly with her to this day.
Unfortunately, events conspire against her, leaving her with a whole new set of revelations to deal with.

This is a beautifully written book. I loved how the story weaved between Ebby’s present day, her childhood, and all the way back to her ancestors lives. Sometimes the narrative switches between Ebby and others in her life, and I loved getting their perspectives on the tragedy the Freeman family live with; it felt like we were really seeing the full picture.

There’s a lot going on here; family drama, loss and grief, heartbreak, racism, ancestry, modern love, redemption, and the power of history to affect our present. I flew through it and found it an incredibly satisfying read. I think book clubs will love this one as there’s so much to discuss, and Ebby is a wonderful character that you can really get behind.

I highly recommend this one!

Available to buy on the 6/2. with @thegalwaybooknook many thanks @netgalley @michaeljbooks @penguinrandomhouse for my early copy. All opinions are my own, as always.

(I’ve included both US/European covers cause they’re both so pretty 😅)

It took me up until the 20% point to really get into this book, but once I did I sped through it pretty quickly (never a bad sign!).

Good Dirt focuses on Ebby and the history of her family, pivoting between numerous timelines to depict the journey of the Freemans from enslaved people to successful and affluent leaders across multiple fields.

I enjoyed the various themes the book covers - surviving trauma, the bonds of family, the history and impact of slavery through the eyes of one family. Modern day racism, prejudice and micro aggressions. Reading this at the start of American Black History Month felt really appropriate and a firm reminder that Black history is all of our history.

I love a book with multiple timelines and POV - at times in Good Dirt I did feel a little disjointed as we switched very quickly through many characters and time periods in short succession. I wanted to sit with some of the characters a little longer; while others I felt we didn’t really need the POV of at all (Avery).

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself quite emotional in the closing pages, something i wasn’t anticipating from the majority of the book.

Something I found especially interesting was the authors closing notes, remarking about the inclusion of 2 areas in Black history that we rarely hear of (history being white washed as ever) - the involvement of enslaved people in the pottery trade and whaling industry. It really gave food for thought once more on our history as a people and how modern day perceptions of different people are twisted by the (invariably white) victors who write the history books.

This was a story of so many things - slavery, loss, guilt, love, history, family stories and so much more.

I loved the interweaving of the past and present, all told with the significance of a jug. It’s a story so steeped in the past that the writing just captured me.

The main character Ebby and her families story is traumatic, difficult and sad but there is so much hope in this book. There are secrets that people are holding, which you slowly discover at the same time witnessing the difficult lives lived by Ebby’s family in the past.

I enjoyed her discovery of finding herself again and connecting more fully with those that she loves.

It’s a beautifully written book which like Black Cake was such a wonderful book to read and cements the author as a favourite of mine.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is a beautifully written, deeply moving novel that explores family, history, and resilience. The story unfolds across three parts, weaving between past and present, different characters, and little chapters—yet it never felt overwhelming or confusing. Wilkerson’s writing is immersive, making me feel like I was walking alongside these characters, experiencing their triumphs and heartaches firsthand.

The MFC and her family are so well-developed; they feel like real people and are fully fleshed out, making every emotion hit that much harder. The way this book made me feel—I was in tears at some points, angry at others, and completely warmed in moments of tenderness.

One of the most powerful aspects of this story is how it highlights the resilience of Black people across generations and circumstances. The pain, the endurance, the strength—it’s all woven into these pages so beautifully. If you love multi-generational family stories with rich, emotional depth, this is one to pick up!

I really wanted to love this book. I found it really distracting jumping from person to person and the different timelines. I never felt that I got a chance to connect to a character.

I did think it was well written and I really hoped I could have enjoyed the storyline but sadly it wasn't for me

In Good Dirt, we follow Ebby and her esteemed family, the Freemans.
Tragedy strikes early on when Ebby witnesses the murder of her brother, Baz, as he protects their family's most prized heirloom. This heartbreaking crime goes unsolved and continues to haunt Ebby and her family for years. Fast forward to adulthood, when Ebby finds herself thrust into the public eye following a very messy breakup. What follows is a beautiful, complex story of healing, resilience, and honoring those who've been lost.
This book hooked me from the very first page and never let go. I love a good family saga, and this one absolutely delivered. I also appreciated the thought-provoking commentary on classism, mixed-race relationships, and the complex questions around ownership of historical artifacts.
Read this book if you love: historical fiction, family sagas, and stories that stick with you long after you've finished.

“She loves to think that something that has been broken can be pieced back together.”

Ebby’s life and that of her family has been defined in many ways by a tragedy. that occurred when she was ten years old. People respond to her, and perceive her through the prism of, both this incident and a further heartbreak which propels her back into the public gaze. A beautiful pottery jar made by a former slave connects the family to their history, which began with Willis, later Edward Freeman, who escaped from his owners and began what would become one of the eldest, most prosperous and most successful black families in New England. What emerges is a story of how grief and loss can be survived, that resilience and healing are still possible, and that srories give meaning to people’s lives and unites them as human beings. This was such a lovely and thoughtful novel, with one of the most poignant openings I have ever read- the last happy memories before a family is devastated. Although the horrors of slavery are touched upon, the characters here retain their dignity and pride, and the suggestion seems to be that forgiveness and understanding can be found when light is shone on the truth. The struggles of Ebby and her family to cope with their trauma and to rebuild their lives is moving and ultimately full of hope. A delight.

Having absolutely loved Charmaine’s first novel Black Cake, I was delighted to be invited to read this book by the publisher and NetGalley.
This is a wonderful read spanning several centuries, the story follows an African-American family from being enslaved to freedom, to a terrible tragedy in the recent past and the family’s struggles to carry on. I really liked Ebby and her personal battles with her memories of the awful day of her brother’s murder, the breakdown of her relationship and the way her family history ultimately heals her. The retelling of the family history is perfectly interspersed throughout the story and Old Mo, the jar, is a superb character in itself. I really liked the supporting cast and each of their internal struggles and secrets. This book covers so many themes: tragedy and trauma, grief and heartbreak, racism and the importance of history and people’s roots. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this and it has had me picking it up at every opportunity.

This is the second novel by the author of Black Cake. I may be going against the grain but I much preferred this one - some other early reviewers felt that the old jar featured in this book didn‘t have as much impact as the cake recipe in the first but I liked it.

There was quite a time distance between the tales of slavery (and the jar) and the modern day, which perhaps lessened the impact but the modern-day storyline was fascinating and compelling. My favourite fiction book of the year so far.

"And thank goodness for the memory. Because you never know, do you?"

I don't know where to start with this review, but I will let you know one thing: By the time I reached the final page, my eyes were watering.

After being jilted at the altar, Ebby decides to embark on a 3 month trip to France, to get away from her family, her home & her ex fiancé. Despite the remote location, Ebby bumps into her ex, with his new gf in tow. Ebby is left with no alternative but to reckon with her past. The m*rder of her brother, which took place 20 years earlier, her family history + the memories of Old Mo - the anchor of her family.

Good Dirt covers a multitude of themes:
Grief/ Family expectations/ Interracial dating / Trauma/ Slavery / Race.

One of the themes that struck me the most whilst reading was that of grief. Namely how it informs the choices of those left behind. How, at times, it hinders our ability to be rational, honest + present.

I was surprised whilst reading to find out that this was not only a story of Ebby's struggles. While I enjoyed Ebby's growth & reading of her journey, I was particularly taken by the historical aspect of this book. Charmaine writes historical fiction so beautifully that I was captivated by the chapters from Moses + Willis.

As with most historical fiction relating to slavery, I always feel a pang of sadness that starts in my mind and radiates around my body until it settles in my heart. This story made me think of how lucky the Freeman's were to carry a piece of their family across 6 generations. Old Mo was not just a family heirloom. It was a family member, one that touched the lives, minds & hearts of the Freeman family.

As I continued to read this story, I found myself surprised that I was enjoying it, as it is quite a long-winded story, transversing the perspectives of many. But for me, it worked. I don't think this will be a book for many, but I do hope that those who embark upon the journey of Good Dirt allow this story to unravel & spark thought to our history, our pain, our lost love, our hope, our existence. It wasn't in vain.

"At least, this. At least, this."

For lovers of The Island of Missing Trees.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.85

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

Ebby Freeman goes to stay at her friend's cottage in France after her fiance Henry doesn't turn up for their wedding. Ebby is already carrying the trauma of witnessing her brother's murder 20 years earlier and throughout the story we go back in time to that day and even further back to the history of the Freeman family and the maker of the family heirloom, a vase called Old Mo.

Oh wow, this book is BRILLIANT! I'm in awe of the author's ability to weave a modern day story with generations of family history and such important themes - slavery, trauma, prejudice, loss and grief to name but a few. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to read what the author writes next. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Brilliant storytelling. I was so excited to receive this ARC, as I absolutely loved 'Black Cake'. I certainly wasn't disappointed with the author's second novel.
This book had it all - strong characters, history, romance, family drama and I always love to come away from a much enjoyed novel to have also learnt a little something. In this case, I hadn't realised that slaves were not allowed to learn to read and write, with heavy penalties for those who dared to teach them.
The novel's main character is Ebby and how her life is affected by a family tragedy when she was 10 years old. The author covers the lives of African Americans during the enslaved period and brings it right upto date with Ebby's family.
Highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Ebby Freeman never gets over the trauma of her brothers murder when a child and when later she is jilted on her wedding day she escapes to France to start again. When she thinks she has made a new life for herself after a tragic past and is enjoying her life again when her ex turns up with his new girlfriend causing deep emotions to resurface.
The story did hop a lot between time zones so I did get a bit confused with the characters but you can still follow the overall story.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charmaine Wilkerson proves herself as a master story teller with her second novel Good Dirt. Despite the heartbreaking storyline, the was also page turning compelling read. Part historical Fiction, Mystery, Family Drama and Romance, this book has it all. I especially enjoyed how the story was told from multiple perspectives over changing time line without being confusing - well done!