A thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga, with a moving and hopeful ending

Wilkerson expertly tackles grief , trauma and the drive to live as you wish , in spite of your family’s expectations and your community’s barely concealed racism

A remarkable exploration of family bonds, grief, heartbreak, friendship, and the deep scars of slavery and racism… Wilkerson’s prose is succinct yet richly evocative, masterfully delving into the minds and motivations of her characters and delivering a narrative that lingers long after the final page… This novel solidifies Wilkerson’s place as one of the great multi-generational storytellers of our time.

What a beautiful and masterfully crafted story. I’m in utter awe of Charmaine. I found Ebby’s story just heartbreaking, but ultimately it left me thinking deeply about the process of healing from unspeakable pain and building the muscle of resilience… Charmaine is the real deal – she has SUCH a talent for every aspect of storytelling. I fell in love with her characters; I was gripped by her plot; I adore her words.

There are chapters that push your tear ducts to the limits

A masterclass in storytelling, world-building and drawing characters who feel so real you can reach out to the page and feel them reaching back out toward you. Good Dirt is a searing portrait of grief, of death and life and the truth that one without the other does not exist, that to find new life does not always mean forgetting the past, but reshaping and rebuilding it and realising all the remarkable ways in which it can be reforged. Charmaine Wilkerson is a stunning writer, whose brilliance knows no adequate words, and whose characters will live long in my memory.

A sensational intergenerational story about hidden heartbreak, hope, and the restorative power of embracing and sharing one’s ancestry. A story not only told incredibly well, but most importantly, a pleasure to read.

Good Dirt is a mystery that weaves together multi-generational strands of past and present trauma, from West Africa to Long Island Sound, from the 1800s to the present. Written in glittering and discerning prose, poignant yet hopeful, Good Dirt is a masterful character study exploring the stories we inherit and how the past informs the present. I loved it. Brava, Charmaine.

A writer of extraordinary gifts. She can capture the arc of a family story like none other. This kaleidoscopic novel of love, loss, and triumph will sit with you for a long time after you finish the last page

Charmaine Wilkerson has a superb talent for showing how contemporary characters’ lives are entwined with the past, creating a story that is rich in compassion and hope – and utterly engrossing.