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Devil Is Fine
Still reeling from a sudden tragedy, our biracial narrator receives a letter from an attorney: he has just inherited a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather. He travels to a beach town several hours south of his home with the intention of selling the land immediately and moving on. But upon inspection, what lies beneath the dirt is far more complicated than he ever imagined. In a shocking irony, he is now the Black owner of a former plantation passed down by the men on his white mother’s side of the family.
Vercher deftly blurs the lines between real and imagined, past and present, tragedy and humor, and fathers and sons in this story of discovering and reclaiming a painful past. With the wit and rawness of Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, Devil Is Fine is a gripping, surreal, and brilliantly crafted dissection of the legacies we leave behind and those we inherit.
Vercher deftly blurs the lines between real and imagined, past and present, tragedy and humor, and fathers and sons in this story of discovering and reclaiming a painful past. With the wit and rawness of Paul Beatty’s The Sellout, Devil Is Fine is a gripping, surreal, and brilliantly crafted dissection of the legacies we leave behind and those we inherit.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2024
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June 29, 2024
4.5⭐️
With exquisite prose, dark humor, complex characters and a gripping narrative that revolves around themes of grief, trauma, fatherhood, racial identity and legacy, I found Devil Is Fine by John Vercher hard to put down.
As the novel begins, we meet our unnamed narrator/protagonist, a biracial author born to a White mother and Black father, grappling with the recent loss of his teenage son Malcolm. When he inherits a plot of land from his estranged maternal grandfather, he wants nothing to do with the property and travels south to initiate all necessary formalities for its sale. However, a routine inspection of the land leads to a shocking discovery. As the dark history of the land and his ancestors is gradually revealed, our protagonist is traumatized by the implications.
Adding to his grief and pain are his strained personal relationships and the stress brought on by the fact that his latest manuscript isn’t generating much interest among publishing houses and that his inability to publish in recent years might make it difficult for him to hold on to his teaching position.
As our narrator slips back into old habits, triggering a downward spiral, what follows is a fever dream-like journey wherein the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur, past and present collapses into a hallucinatory series of events that force our protagonist to confront his complicated feelings about his legacy and explore how the same has impacted the most important aspects of his life.
The narrative is shared from the PoV of our unnamed protagonist in the form of a one-sided conversation with his deceased son. The author has deftly woven an element of magical realism into the narrative, creating a tension-filled almost claustrophobic vibe but also injects enough dry humor into the narrative so as not to overwhelm. The strength of this novel lies in its in-depth exploration of the protagonist's psyche – his beliefs, his motivations, his inner conflict and his worldview - as he wavers between moments of lucidity and phantasmagoria. The supporting characters are well thought out, and from their interactions with our narrator we are provided an insightful look into how he is perceived by those who know him/ come to know him as opposed to his self-perception. We might question our narrator's choices, because at times, his motivations are difficult to understand, but at no point do we stop rooting for him to emerge from his traumatized state and embark on a journey of self-acceptance, forgiveness, healing and redemption.
I appreciated the significance of the cover art - which is indicative of the symbolism of the jellyfish, which is integral to the narrative - more after reading the book. I only wish that we were given a bit more insight into past events and the history of the plantation.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Dion Graham who brought this story, the setting and the characters to life making for an intense immersion reading experience.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted work of literary fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven narratives with an element of magical realism.
Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 18, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
With exquisite prose, dark humor, complex characters and a gripping narrative that revolves around themes of grief, trauma, fatherhood, racial identity and legacy, I found Devil Is Fine by John Vercher hard to put down.
As the novel begins, we meet our unnamed narrator/protagonist, a biracial author born to a White mother and Black father, grappling with the recent loss of his teenage son Malcolm. When he inherits a plot of land from his estranged maternal grandfather, he wants nothing to do with the property and travels south to initiate all necessary formalities for its sale. However, a routine inspection of the land leads to a shocking discovery. As the dark history of the land and his ancestors is gradually revealed, our protagonist is traumatized by the implications.
Adding to his grief and pain are his strained personal relationships and the stress brought on by the fact that his latest manuscript isn’t generating much interest among publishing houses and that his inability to publish in recent years might make it difficult for him to hold on to his teaching position.
As our narrator slips back into old habits, triggering a downward spiral, what follows is a fever dream-like journey wherein the lines between reality and imagination begin to blur, past and present collapses into a hallucinatory series of events that force our protagonist to confront his complicated feelings about his legacy and explore how the same has impacted the most important aspects of his life.
The narrative is shared from the PoV of our unnamed protagonist in the form of a one-sided conversation with his deceased son. The author has deftly woven an element of magical realism into the narrative, creating a tension-filled almost claustrophobic vibe but also injects enough dry humor into the narrative so as not to overwhelm. The strength of this novel lies in its in-depth exploration of the protagonist's psyche – his beliefs, his motivations, his inner conflict and his worldview - as he wavers between moments of lucidity and phantasmagoria. The supporting characters are well thought out, and from their interactions with our narrator we are provided an insightful look into how he is perceived by those who know him/ come to know him as opposed to his self-perception. We might question our narrator's choices, because at times, his motivations are difficult to understand, but at no point do we stop rooting for him to emerge from his traumatized state and embark on a journey of self-acceptance, forgiveness, healing and redemption.
I appreciated the significance of the cover art - which is indicative of the symbolism of the jellyfish, which is integral to the narrative - more after reading the book. I only wish that we were given a bit more insight into past events and the history of the plantation.
I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Dion Graham who brought this story, the setting and the characters to life making for an intense immersion reading experience.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliantly crafted work of literary fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven narratives with an element of magical realism.
Many thanks to Celadon Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on June 18, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
June 27, 2024
Devil Is Fine by John Vercher is a Blend of Family and Literary Fiction with Touches of Magical Realism!
Our unnamed narrator is a biracial American author who leads us through this story speaking in his head to his recently deceased teenage son, Malcolm. He is ravaged with grief, resulting in debilitating panic attacks.
Days after the funeral, he receives a letter from an attorney concerning beachfront property Malcolm inherited from his estranged white maternal grandfather, Malcolm's great-grandfather. As his son's next of kin, this property now falls to him.
What begins as a quick trip south to view and sell the property, ends with unexpected news from an on-site inspection. Our unnamed narrator feels himself spinning in the aftermath of the tragic death of his only child and the shock of what is on this inherited land...
Devil is Fine is the first book I've read by this author and there is much to love about Vercher's beautiful writing, choice of sensitive topics, and flawed characters. This is one of the best books I've read this year and, at less than 300 pages and 9 hours, it's a perfect choice as an immersion read. The audiobook, magnificently narrated by Dion Graham and one of the best narrations I've experienced, was my preference, but either format will deliver a memorable read.
I felt compassion for our unnamed narrator who struggles with his biracial identity, his intense grief, and the bridges he's burned in his relationships. His spiral was hard to witness as he continued making poor choices, yet, I was mesmerized by the author's use of Magical Realism which left me questioning what was real, imagined, or mystical, and feeling much like the unnamed narrator felt.
If you enjoy a blend of Family and Literary Fiction with touches of Magical Realism that leave you wondering, Devil is Fine is a satisfying option I highly recommend!
5⭐
Thank you to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and John Vercher for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
Our unnamed narrator is a biracial American author who leads us through this story speaking in his head to his recently deceased teenage son, Malcolm. He is ravaged with grief, resulting in debilitating panic attacks.
Days after the funeral, he receives a letter from an attorney concerning beachfront property Malcolm inherited from his estranged white maternal grandfather, Malcolm's great-grandfather. As his son's next of kin, this property now falls to him.
What begins as a quick trip south to view and sell the property, ends with unexpected news from an on-site inspection. Our unnamed narrator feels himself spinning in the aftermath of the tragic death of his only child and the shock of what is on this inherited land...
Devil is Fine is the first book I've read by this author and there is much to love about Vercher's beautiful writing, choice of sensitive topics, and flawed characters. This is one of the best books I've read this year and, at less than 300 pages and 9 hours, it's a perfect choice as an immersion read. The audiobook, magnificently narrated by Dion Graham and one of the best narrations I've experienced, was my preference, but either format will deliver a memorable read.
I felt compassion for our unnamed narrator who struggles with his biracial identity, his intense grief, and the bridges he's burned in his relationships. His spiral was hard to witness as he continued making poor choices, yet, I was mesmerized by the author's use of Magical Realism which left me questioning what was real, imagined, or mystical, and feeling much like the unnamed narrator felt.
If you enjoy a blend of Family and Literary Fiction with touches of Magical Realism that leave you wondering, Devil is Fine is a satisfying option I highly recommend!
5⭐
Thank you to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and John Vercher for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.
July 25, 2024
This beautifully written book opens with the narrator trying to reckon with the very recent death of his teenage son. His life is thrown into a deeper spiral when he learns that he, a biracial man, has inherited an old plantation from a white relative. He begins experiencing strange visions and sensations and wonders if he’s going mad…or if he’s being haunted.
The writing in this book is highly literary, almost lyrical, and yet the dialogue is down-to-earth, with characters frequently making jokes that made me laugh out loud. The skewering of self-righteous white liberals who aren’t as antiracist as they think they are is particularly effective. Flashbacks to the protagonist’s childhood, and that of his son, are meted out throughout the course of the book, slowly giving readers a fuller picture of who he is. The magical realism is handled in a very literary way, and I think it will definitely still appeal to readers who prefer more realistic, grounded stories. The ending is ambiguous but hopeful, perfectly tying the book together.
The writing in this book is highly literary, almost lyrical, and yet the dialogue is down-to-earth, with characters frequently making jokes that made me laugh out loud. The skewering of self-righteous white liberals who aren’t as antiracist as they think they are is particularly effective. Flashbacks to the protagonist’s childhood, and that of his son, are meted out throughout the course of the book, slowly giving readers a fuller picture of who he is. The magical realism is handled in a very literary way, and I think it will definitely still appeal to readers who prefer more realistic, grounded stories. The ending is ambiguous but hopeful, perfectly tying the book together.
June 12, 2024
This was an intriguing read; much of the time, I was utterly confused, though I suppose that puts me on the same page as the unfortunate protagonist and narrator of this book. Here we have the strange tale of a haunted author/professor coping with the recent death of his son. He's just found out he's the sole inheritor of an undesirable property. He's also plagued by nightmares, and he may, um, yeah . . . be turning into a jellyfish.
One thing I love about Vercher's work is that even in the saddest of stories, he still manages to toss in laugh out loud quips like this one: a bar customer, upon overhearing that the narrator is a writer asks, "Do you know James Patterson?"
Snort!
With this one, his third fine book, Vercher has made the list of my favorite authors. I'm looking forward to whatever he dreams up next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the read.
One thing I love about Vercher's work is that even in the saddest of stories, he still manages to toss in laugh out loud quips like this one: a bar customer, upon overhearing that the narrator is a writer asks, "Do you know James Patterson?"
Snort!
With this one, his third fine book, Vercher has made the list of my favorite authors. I'm looking forward to whatever he dreams up next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the read.
July 7, 2024
It is important to note that most of the themes explored in this book deal with sensitive subject matters. My review, therefore, touches on these topics as well. Many people might find the book's subject matters & those detailed in my review overwhelming. I suggest you steer clear of both if this is the case. Please note that from this point forward I will be writing about matters that contain reflections on the death of a loved one, slavery, racism, substance abuse, bigotry, scenes depicting the graphic death of a minor, & others.
The salivating need to redeem the sacred soul leads to follies. Characters whose plight feels burdened by reality present readers with interesting subjects. The digestion of their story is unmoored by the current of other nutrients, the substance they offer is all their own. Yet, the troubled reality of those who receive no forgiveness, no calming finality to their torment, offer stories that are given as warnings rather than common truths.
I received this book in the evening. The post had come late & I had not been expecting the gift I found. I was quick to share my joy with my book-loving friends, & those whose relationship with literature differs quite significantly from my own. My enthusiasm was purely materialistic. I cannot rationalize that I receive books to review; this is something my young small-town self would find absurdly cool & to this day, a wave of humbling joy overcomes me. The background is given here because I had not heard of Vercher before receiving his book. I can confirm to you that the sunset’s gift of this story has left me longing for more of the author’s work.
In truth, as I spoke about my enthusiasm, & my humbled gratitude, in response to receiving this book, I wondered if I would be the target audience. Had the publisher been correct in sending me this book? Would I be able to appreciate the labelled scars on the skin & souls of the characters? The synopsis left much to the imagination & I ruminated on what possible avenues the author might take in order for his main character to tell his story.
If one is looking for a sad story, one is in good company here. Rather than adopt the genre of magical realism tinged with creatures of old school horror—the likes of which have been done before in this setting—Vercher offers the reader their own home; asks them to turn off the lights, & listen to the hum of silence, deafening them with anguish.
In essence, this is a story about grief. The main character begins to speak to his son who died in a car accident, with him at the wheel. The chapters follow the narrator as he attempts to push through the wall of bricks that he has built, unconsciously, around himself. He shimmies over mounds of regrets, sadness, & hollowed-out spaces that reflect his shortcomings to himself. The story he shares with the reader is complicated & simple; he is sad. However, the main character is also angry; his failure to be a better person resulted in years of frustration for his son & left him reeling in his last moments, grasping for safety with a parent who was never there to offer it.
While reading this story I began to wonder how I would explain it. What words would I use to recount my experiences with the plot & how would I describe the setting? Did I enjoy this story? Was the moral of the story tangible? Did the main character experience growth or regression? Was this a story that all readers may be able to appreciate? Though I have come to find the answers to these questions less easy to present in writing, the answer overall resides squarely with one’s own awareness of society.
In recent years, the subject of ethnicity, race, nationality; the abstract demise of community, & the Land, have circled spaces intended for open discourse. Those among us who have been made to perish lock-jawed in the dirt find that the trees that shade their unrestful repose have grown strong; ignorance cannot survive forever. Yet it does persist. The reality that led the tomb to be shattered; the intentional sinking ship; the fire to the crops; the genocidal intent to eradicate; all these things live in the bones of those who wander the earth desperate & hopeful to find what has been lost to them.
The main character has experience with these subjects on a more intimate level than simply through discussion. It is here that the reader will choose their path & decide how they will interpret the story.
On the one hand, a reader may revel in the magic that colours the perimeter of this story. The main character experiences a shift in his physique as he slowly transforms into a jellyfish. He spends days fearing the worst, losing sleep, & speaking to shadows, only to return to the water from whence he originated. On the other hand, readers may interpret the dual narrative as a secret whispered to those who saunter the shores of experience; the exposure to a broken fraction; attempting to live life not wholly one part, but neither insufficient in either.
As a person who empathizes with the reality of the main character, I found the dialogue that circled his truth to be presented authentically. Chapters explored the shifting tide of the diminished attention span, as those around him who are one with the identity they hold, discouraged him from expressing himself further, noting that no one cared to read about that anymore.
The frustration will surely mount in readers who recognize the truth in these statements; though, it is certainly powerful to share, what feels like a majority of people are not listening to understand but to suck dry the oyster so they may declare themselves full.
The narrative presents readers with snippets of blatant reality. Not everyone is given a spot at the table, some people aren’t even told that there is a table, left altogether unaware of a gathering. What may render this honesty difficult for certain readers to stomach is that it is presented by a character who is nearly, entirely, unlikeable. Readers who are led by logic & whose own days have been brimmed with an intimate acquaintanceship with humanity will have no trouble discerning value in what the main character is trying to communicate, even though he was a negative force in the life of his child.
I found the inclusion of such negative traits an interesting choice. Certainly, if one is among the crowd of those who tire of conversations that include race, one may decide upon this being the perfect reason to duck out; people are angry & so why listen?
On the other hand, I appreciated that the main character was redundantly flawed. This did not discount his reality. Indeed, if one studies the flow of the main character’s regression to a sea creature, the puddles of a grief-stricken parent, or simply the sorrow of a person who is intentionally misunderstood & ostracized because of what others see in him, this story speaks clearly about the empathy that is lacking in our communities. Why is it so difficult to accept that anger expressed is not an indication of fault in logic?
As the story progressed & the main character struggled to stay face, the plot explored the burly nature of imbecilic reasoning. Characters flew on to the page to express that seeing is believing & then quote the Bible as rationalized jargon that may support them in their crimes. These people wanted to continue to enslave the souls of those who perished deep into the earth, denoting value in success for a job well done rather than an intricate understanding of what it means to love someone.
By this I mean, that a person who loses without the ability to see, once more, what has been taken; a person whose sight witnesses despair & the similar, if not same skin walking villains protrude through the gentle flow of life; this person will never grow beyond the ignorance they wield.
Certain aspects of this story lingered without giving the reader further clarity into their presence. The main character speaks of his grandfather who was a terrible man; What does this mean? What changed in the days they spent together while the main character was a child? Did this man express racially derogatory sentiments? Did he leave the property—the plantation—to Malcolm because he wanted him to know that no matter how brilliant his melanin, how deep his brown eyes, or how thick his locs were; deep down he would always be the product of malice?
I cannot begin to know the answers to these questions though, I believe that the book does not necessitate me having clarity into the burdened soul of a bad man. Rather, I believe this book wants readers to reflect. Why would any of this have taken place?
Readers like me may wonder at the forgiveness that is not given to the main character. The soothing nature of the water sings back to him as he escapes the burden of being the person that he is in a world that does not accept any portion of his identity. There is no winning in a system where a person needs to break off pieces of themselves to fit keyholes & purport terminology that is neutral & inauthentic. I was glad to see him enveloped by the water that cups the land, the ecosystem that shields life from humanity.
Ultimately, this book was interesting & perhaps that is enough. When I think back, I am troubled by the aggression of the main character & flummoxed by his intentionality when treating others poorly. The flashbacks as his son grew up offered this story well-needed intimacy with the narrator, without which readers might be left wondering where to offer their sympathies.
Truthfully, I felt moved by mournfulness as the narrator revisited the death of his child; the destruction of a life that had yet to experience the good that does thrive in the world, due to the unfortunate seething anger of his parent. This left me with deeply wounded gloom.
My appreciation of this story mirrors the familiar twinge that beats deep in my mind. The sleepless nights & chatter with Grandfather Moon; the seething torment of rivers burdened with molasses; the life that seems utterly devoid of the tranquillity satiated by the ignorant, & an existence that is kept in the profoundly cavernous shadows of the self, unspoken to those whose boisterous cries decry an end of all things passed, though their pruned Capillaries drip downstream.
Readers may cherish the story that speaks truth into darkness even if only for the ghosts. Reprieve from misunderstanding & a hollowed existence for the fault of a shape that has been disavowed though crafted originally by a spirit whose mania romanticized the very scoundrel it created, is all but absent. Such is the nature of the tormented, invisibly apparent, tremors of sorrow.
Thank you to Celadon Books & John Vercher for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The salivating need to redeem the sacred soul leads to follies. Characters whose plight feels burdened by reality present readers with interesting subjects. The digestion of their story is unmoored by the current of other nutrients, the substance they offer is all their own. Yet, the troubled reality of those who receive no forgiveness, no calming finality to their torment, offer stories that are given as warnings rather than common truths.
I received this book in the evening. The post had come late & I had not been expecting the gift I found. I was quick to share my joy with my book-loving friends, & those whose relationship with literature differs quite significantly from my own. My enthusiasm was purely materialistic. I cannot rationalize that I receive books to review; this is something my young small-town self would find absurdly cool & to this day, a wave of humbling joy overcomes me. The background is given here because I had not heard of Vercher before receiving his book. I can confirm to you that the sunset’s gift of this story has left me longing for more of the author’s work.
In truth, as I spoke about my enthusiasm, & my humbled gratitude, in response to receiving this book, I wondered if I would be the target audience. Had the publisher been correct in sending me this book? Would I be able to appreciate the labelled scars on the skin & souls of the characters? The synopsis left much to the imagination & I ruminated on what possible avenues the author might take in order for his main character to tell his story.
If one is looking for a sad story, one is in good company here. Rather than adopt the genre of magical realism tinged with creatures of old school horror—the likes of which have been done before in this setting—Vercher offers the reader their own home; asks them to turn off the lights, & listen to the hum of silence, deafening them with anguish.
In essence, this is a story about grief. The main character begins to speak to his son who died in a car accident, with him at the wheel. The chapters follow the narrator as he attempts to push through the wall of bricks that he has built, unconsciously, around himself. He shimmies over mounds of regrets, sadness, & hollowed-out spaces that reflect his shortcomings to himself. The story he shares with the reader is complicated & simple; he is sad. However, the main character is also angry; his failure to be a better person resulted in years of frustration for his son & left him reeling in his last moments, grasping for safety with a parent who was never there to offer it.
While reading this story I began to wonder how I would explain it. What words would I use to recount my experiences with the plot & how would I describe the setting? Did I enjoy this story? Was the moral of the story tangible? Did the main character experience growth or regression? Was this a story that all readers may be able to appreciate? Though I have come to find the answers to these questions less easy to present in writing, the answer overall resides squarely with one’s own awareness of society.
In recent years, the subject of ethnicity, race, nationality; the abstract demise of community, & the Land, have circled spaces intended for open discourse. Those among us who have been made to perish lock-jawed in the dirt find that the trees that shade their unrestful repose have grown strong; ignorance cannot survive forever. Yet it does persist. The reality that led the tomb to be shattered; the intentional sinking ship; the fire to the crops; the genocidal intent to eradicate; all these things live in the bones of those who wander the earth desperate & hopeful to find what has been lost to them.
The main character has experience with these subjects on a more intimate level than simply through discussion. It is here that the reader will choose their path & decide how they will interpret the story.
On the one hand, a reader may revel in the magic that colours the perimeter of this story. The main character experiences a shift in his physique as he slowly transforms into a jellyfish. He spends days fearing the worst, losing sleep, & speaking to shadows, only to return to the water from whence he originated. On the other hand, readers may interpret the dual narrative as a secret whispered to those who saunter the shores of experience; the exposure to a broken fraction; attempting to live life not wholly one part, but neither insufficient in either.
As a person who empathizes with the reality of the main character, I found the dialogue that circled his truth to be presented authentically. Chapters explored the shifting tide of the diminished attention span, as those around him who are one with the identity they hold, discouraged him from expressing himself further, noting that no one cared to read about that anymore.
The frustration will surely mount in readers who recognize the truth in these statements; though, it is certainly powerful to share, what feels like a majority of people are not listening to understand but to suck dry the oyster so they may declare themselves full.
The narrative presents readers with snippets of blatant reality. Not everyone is given a spot at the table, some people aren’t even told that there is a table, left altogether unaware of a gathering. What may render this honesty difficult for certain readers to stomach is that it is presented by a character who is nearly, entirely, unlikeable. Readers who are led by logic & whose own days have been brimmed with an intimate acquaintanceship with humanity will have no trouble discerning value in what the main character is trying to communicate, even though he was a negative force in the life of his child.
I found the inclusion of such negative traits an interesting choice. Certainly, if one is among the crowd of those who tire of conversations that include race, one may decide upon this being the perfect reason to duck out; people are angry & so why listen?
On the other hand, I appreciated that the main character was redundantly flawed. This did not discount his reality. Indeed, if one studies the flow of the main character’s regression to a sea creature, the puddles of a grief-stricken parent, or simply the sorrow of a person who is intentionally misunderstood & ostracized because of what others see in him, this story speaks clearly about the empathy that is lacking in our communities. Why is it so difficult to accept that anger expressed is not an indication of fault in logic?
As the story progressed & the main character struggled to stay face, the plot explored the burly nature of imbecilic reasoning. Characters flew on to the page to express that seeing is believing & then quote the Bible as rationalized jargon that may support them in their crimes. These people wanted to continue to enslave the souls of those who perished deep into the earth, denoting value in success for a job well done rather than an intricate understanding of what it means to love someone.
By this I mean, that a person who loses without the ability to see, once more, what has been taken; a person whose sight witnesses despair & the similar, if not same skin walking villains protrude through the gentle flow of life; this person will never grow beyond the ignorance they wield.
Certain aspects of this story lingered without giving the reader further clarity into their presence. The main character speaks of his grandfather who was a terrible man; What does this mean? What changed in the days they spent together while the main character was a child? Did this man express racially derogatory sentiments? Did he leave the property—the plantation—to Malcolm because he wanted him to know that no matter how brilliant his melanin, how deep his brown eyes, or how thick his locs were; deep down he would always be the product of malice?
I cannot begin to know the answers to these questions though, I believe that the book does not necessitate me having clarity into the burdened soul of a bad man. Rather, I believe this book wants readers to reflect. Why would any of this have taken place?
Readers like me may wonder at the forgiveness that is not given to the main character. The soothing nature of the water sings back to him as he escapes the burden of being the person that he is in a world that does not accept any portion of his identity. There is no winning in a system where a person needs to break off pieces of themselves to fit keyholes & purport terminology that is neutral & inauthentic. I was glad to see him enveloped by the water that cups the land, the ecosystem that shields life from humanity.
Ultimately, this book was interesting & perhaps that is enough. When I think back, I am troubled by the aggression of the main character & flummoxed by his intentionality when treating others poorly. The flashbacks as his son grew up offered this story well-needed intimacy with the narrator, without which readers might be left wondering where to offer their sympathies.
Truthfully, I felt moved by mournfulness as the narrator revisited the death of his child; the destruction of a life that had yet to experience the good that does thrive in the world, due to the unfortunate seething anger of his parent. This left me with deeply wounded gloom.
My appreciation of this story mirrors the familiar twinge that beats deep in my mind. The sleepless nights & chatter with Grandfather Moon; the seething torment of rivers burdened with molasses; the life that seems utterly devoid of the tranquillity satiated by the ignorant, & an existence that is kept in the profoundly cavernous shadows of the self, unspoken to those whose boisterous cries decry an end of all things passed, though their pruned Capillaries drip downstream.
Readers may cherish the story that speaks truth into darkness even if only for the ghosts. Reprieve from misunderstanding & a hollowed existence for the fault of a shape that has been disavowed though crafted originally by a spirit whose mania romanticized the very scoundrel it created, is all but absent. Such is the nature of the tormented, invisibly apparent, tremors of sorrow.
Thank you to Celadon Books & John Vercher for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
This book is so heartbreakingly and beautifully written! As a parent your worst nightmare is losing your child before something happens to you and this book provokes those thoughts.
I had so many feelings while reading this book.
We also find out that the narrator inherited land from him grandfather on his mothers side. You end up finding out the deep history that at times is dark but also introduces a new perspective.
I will be recommending this book to all of my friends.
Especially the ones who are wanting to dip their toes into literary fiction.
I received this book as a gift from celadon in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you celadon books for sending me a copy.
#celadonreads#DevilIsFine
I had so many feelings while reading this book.
We also find out that the narrator inherited land from him grandfather on his mothers side. You end up finding out the deep history that at times is dark but also introduces a new perspective.
I will be recommending this book to all of my friends.
Especially the ones who are wanting to dip their toes into literary fiction.
I received this book as a gift from celadon in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you celadon books for sending me a copy.
#celadonreads#DevilIsFine
July 23, 2024
“The self-evident truth meant I had no room for error, that they had no time for a diversity hire professor, who didn’t publish, especially after that diversity hire was hired due to the acclaim of his diversity book, but then couldn’t publish because he wrote another diversity book that the zeitgeist had now determined was too diverse. … I mean, my God, man, think of the optics. They couldn’t be out of step with the times. There was enrollment to consider.”
The unnamed protagonist is a biracial writing professor. (That also describes the author of this book.) The book begins with the protagonist’s panic attack on his way to a funeral. We very gradually learn who died, and near the of the book we finally learn why the protagonist is in such despair. Complicating his life is the discovery that he has just inherited a plantation from his racist white grandfather. And he also has to publish a new book, and diversity may be out of fashion.
While I loved the author’s first two books, I was less in love with this one. The book was too meta for me and I am not a fan of magical realism. When characters start to talk to ghosts the book usually loses me. Nevertheless, this book was an interesting exploration of grief and the country’s racial past. The book reminded me a little of Percival Everett’s work.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The unnamed protagonist is a biracial writing professor. (That also describes the author of this book.) The book begins with the protagonist’s panic attack on his way to a funeral. We very gradually learn who died, and near the of the book we finally learn why the protagonist is in such despair. Complicating his life is the discovery that he has just inherited a plantation from his racist white grandfather. And he also has to publish a new book, and diversity may be out of fashion.
While I loved the author’s first two books, I was less in love with this one. The book was too meta for me and I am not a fan of magical realism. When characters start to talk to ghosts the book usually loses me. Nevertheless, this book was an interesting exploration of grief and the country’s racial past. The book reminded me a little of Percival Everett’s work.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
May 30, 2024
This was an absolutely stunning novel by John Vercher. It combines elements of mystery, fantasy, and tragedy in a beautiful narrative about a grieving biracial man who inherits a plot of land from his white great grandfather. It explores the complexities of father-son relationships through an ongoing one-sided conversation between the narrator and his son.
Throughout the story the narrator deals with visions and various odd physical experiences. At no point did I ever know where the story was going next. The flashbacks and fantasy-like elements were really well done.
My favorite part of the novel was the gorgeous prose. There were so many vivid descriptions and lots of quotes that made me gasp or stop reading to reflect. I’ll be recommending this book to everyone.
Throughout the story the narrator deals with visions and various odd physical experiences. At no point did I ever know where the story was going next. The flashbacks and fantasy-like elements were really well done.
My favorite part of the novel was the gorgeous prose. There were so many vivid descriptions and lots of quotes that made me gasp or stop reading to reflect. I’ll be recommending this book to everyone.
May 27, 2024
At no point was I ever sure what was going to happen next in “Devil is Fine” by John Vercher. Vercher’s latest release felt like an acid trip at times, as readers witness a man, grieving over the loss of his son, begins to witness things that directly contradict reality. It was just the right amount of weird, it did not overload the senses.
One of the things I loved the most about this book was the writing itself. Vercher is truly a master of his craft. I felt myself sucked into the book by his writing alone.
There is so much humanity in this novel. Imperfection of the family is a constant. The main character is unlikeable in many regards. However, I still felt for him, as I felt like I went through his struggled alongside him. It is difficult to not feel for someone who is losing his mind.
Spoilers:
One thing that I actually struggled to believe throughout this book was the reactions of the people around him to the things he discloses experiencing. I believe if most people were told that they were seeing things, like their legs becoming tentacles, they would not take it in stride.
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
One of the things I loved the most about this book was the writing itself. Vercher is truly a master of his craft. I felt myself sucked into the book by his writing alone.
There is so much humanity in this novel. Imperfection of the family is a constant. The main character is unlikeable in many regards. However, I still felt for him, as I felt like I went through his struggled alongside him. It is difficult to not feel for someone who is losing his mind.
Spoilers:
One thing that I actually struggled to believe throughout this book was the reactions of the people around him to the things he discloses experiencing. I believe if most people were told that they were seeing things, like their legs becoming tentacles, they would not take it in stride.
Thank you to Netgalley and Celadon books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2024
Incredibly imaginative, heartfelt, weird, and at times darkly humorous. Meditations on grief and loss, fatherhood, race and identity. The magical realism pieces are wonderfully executed and the prose is beautiful. By the end, I wished for a deeper exploration on the plantation’s generational history and its relation to our narrator but overall, a remarkably compelling story.
June 5, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This felt like Don't Cry For Me by Daniel Black and Erasure by Percival Everett, if you squint. For the most part, I really liked this. I loved the grief, the family aspects, and the very weird magical realism bits. This did take me awhile to get into though. It's a slow book, but it picks up a bit with its wry humor and strange but compelling imagery. I struggled a bit with the audiobook narrator but the interesting writing style made me push through.
This felt like Don't Cry For Me by Daniel Black and Erasure by Percival Everett, if you squint. For the most part, I really liked this. I loved the grief, the family aspects, and the very weird magical realism bits. This did take me awhile to get into though. It's a slow book, but it picks up a bit with its wry humor and strange but compelling imagery. I struggled a bit with the audiobook narrator but the interesting writing style made me push through.
April 12, 2024
A biracial author, struggling to cope with the death of his teenage son, searches for his own identity and purpose in the world. A compelling read.
May 25, 2024
This one hit me deep. A character-driven masterpiece narrated by the phenomenal Dion Graham. The story follows a grieving father after the loss of his son. His world is shattered, and his only solace is his sometimes quirky humor, which the narrator, Dion Graham portrays perfectly. When he inherits a plantation, things take a surprising turn.
This isn't your typical plantation story. The author blends the real and imagined, past and present, to create a unique exploration of grief, race, and family legacy. It gets a little weird at times (hello, paranormal!), but that's part of the book's charm. It's ultimately a beautiful story about healing and confronting the past. Every time I see a jellyfish, I will be forever reminded of this book.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books for the gifted copy.
This isn't your typical plantation story. The author blends the real and imagined, past and present, to create a unique exploration of grief, race, and family legacy. It gets a little weird at times (hello, paranormal!), but that's part of the book's charm. It's ultimately a beautiful story about healing and confronting the past. Every time I see a jellyfish, I will be forever reminded of this book.
A very special thanks to Macmillan Audio and Celadon Books for the gifted copy.
June 24, 2024
I was a little stunned after reading this book. It was so beautiful, unique, and mesmerizing. I kind of felt like I had woken up from a trance when I was done; the writing was so beautiful. With the added layers of magical realism to this story, and the slight sarcasm and dry humor, the heavy subjects of grief and racism are tackled in a non-heavy hitting way. It still makes your heart hurt, but with the feeling that everything is going to be okay.
I did a tandem read & listen to this book, and while I LOVED the narrators voice, I preferred to go back and read what I had listened to so I could recapture some of his writing. I don’t know how to explain it, but seeing the words written out helped his writing really sink in.
Overall a fantastic book. If you���re a fan of literary fiction and beautiful prose, with a light dose of magical realism, you’ll love this book.
I did a tandem read & listen to this book, and while I LOVED the narrators voice, I preferred to go back and read what I had listened to so I could recapture some of his writing. I don’t know how to explain it, but seeing the words written out helped his writing really sink in.
Overall a fantastic book. If you���re a fan of literary fiction and beautiful prose, with a light dose of magical realism, you’ll love this book.
April 10, 2024
An amazing story! Seen through the narrators'.
Twists and turns, and an ending so serene.
A definite must-read!
Thank you to the Author, Goodreads, & Caledon Books for the
Wonderful Giveaway of this Book!
Twists and turns, and an ending so serene.
A definite must-read!
Thank you to the Author, Goodreads, & Caledon Books for the
Wonderful Giveaway of this Book!
June 15, 2024
https://wendyreadit.wordpress.com/202...
The premise and subject matter of this story certainly intrigued me. The daughter of a white privileged family has a son with a black man. Their son is deceased when his white grandparents die so the estate goes to his father. It turns out, this beach estate was a plantation and all that image conjours up. Interesting, right? Well, I listened to the audio version and, even making it louder and louder, the narrator's intonations made a lot of his whispers and softer speech difficult to hear. The flashbacks and hallucinations also made the story difficult to follow. While I had high hopes for this story, aside from difficulty with the narrator's voice, the magical realism concepts aren't my favorite
The premise and subject matter of this story certainly intrigued me. The daughter of a white privileged family has a son with a black man. Their son is deceased when his white grandparents die so the estate goes to his father. It turns out, this beach estate was a plantation and all that image conjours up. Interesting, right? Well, I listened to the audio version and, even making it louder and louder, the narrator's intonations made a lot of his whispers and softer speech difficult to hear. The flashbacks and hallucinations also made the story difficult to follow. While I had high hopes for this story, aside from difficulty with the narrator's voice, the magical realism concepts aren't my favorite
May 30, 2024
This is the story of a man wheeling in grief, a man whose mistakes have dominated his life, who hits bottom and finds his way back. For most of the novel, you won’t like this man, and you will be unsure of the line between psychological and physical illness and reality.
He has lost his son, the fruit of a one night stand with a friend, a son with whom he could never connect. He is not going to earn tenure if he can’t find a publisher for his second book, but times have changed and no one cares about “racial narratives”. As a biracial man with a black father and white mother, he has struggled with identity all of his life.
He discovers he has inherited a plantation from his mother’s father. It was to go to his son. He makes the trip to the shore, intending to sell the land. After seventeen years of sobriety, he accepts a drink, which does not go well with his Lexapro. He has a blackout, walks into the ocean, and is stung by a jellyfish. His leg becomes infected. He learns that there are bodies of masters and slaves on the plantation grounds.
As he plummets in a downward spiral, haunted by visions and ghosts, he gains a few friends. He faces up to his past, and inspired by his recollected son’s sharp insights and understanding, finds the courage to change.
I delighted in reading such a unique novel, so dark and darkly humorous, so deep and psychologically and culturally rich.
Thanks to Celadon Books for a free book through NetGalley.
He has lost his son, the fruit of a one night stand with a friend, a son with whom he could never connect. He is not going to earn tenure if he can’t find a publisher for his second book, but times have changed and no one cares about “racial narratives”. As a biracial man with a black father and white mother, he has struggled with identity all of his life.
He discovers he has inherited a plantation from his mother’s father. It was to go to his son. He makes the trip to the shore, intending to sell the land. After seventeen years of sobriety, he accepts a drink, which does not go well with his Lexapro. He has a blackout, walks into the ocean, and is stung by a jellyfish. His leg becomes infected. He learns that there are bodies of masters and slaves on the plantation grounds.
As he plummets in a downward spiral, haunted by visions and ghosts, he gains a few friends. He faces up to his past, and inspired by his recollected son’s sharp insights and understanding, finds the courage to change.
I delighted in reading such a unique novel, so dark and darkly humorous, so deep and psychologically and culturally rich.
Thanks to Celadon Books for a free book through NetGalley.
May 15, 2024
What an amazing, beautiful, heartbreaking, thought provoking novel. A man tells his story to his son from past and present perspectives. He includes it all. It’s honest, heart wrenching and just go read this as soon as you can. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review.
May 28, 2024
I had no idea what to expect from this book going in, but this was an incredible story with beautiful prose. I was hooked from the very first page!
Our biracial narrator has recently lost his teenaged son. This book, told in a stream of consciousness style, follows him as her learns to navigate his grief and his new life--he blames himself for the loss of his son, his job situation isn't what he wanted, he's divorced, and he's tired of being told writing about Black issues isn't "trendy" anymore. This is a story about loss, about grief, and about finding strength within yourself and learning how to heal when you haven't had those role models or a support system to help you.
There are stories in this book that can resonate with anyone, there are stories that are difficult (but necessary) to read. And there are bits that I found a bit unrealistic in a practical sense, but still entertaining, nonetheless.
It was witty, it was emotional, it was relatable (even for me as a white woman that doesn't have kids!), and it was beautiful. If you're looking for a book to make you feel something, and something that truly speaks to what it means to be human, then this one is for you.
That you to Celadon and Netgalley for the ARC and eARC of this book! What a fantastic read.
Our biracial narrator has recently lost his teenaged son. This book, told in a stream of consciousness style, follows him as her learns to navigate his grief and his new life--he blames himself for the loss of his son, his job situation isn't what he wanted, he's divorced, and he's tired of being told writing about Black issues isn't "trendy" anymore. This is a story about loss, about grief, and about finding strength within yourself and learning how to heal when you haven't had those role models or a support system to help you.
There are stories in this book that can resonate with anyone, there are stories that are difficult (but necessary) to read. And there are bits that I found a bit unrealistic in a practical sense, but still entertaining, nonetheless.
It was witty, it was emotional, it was relatable (even for me as a white woman that doesn't have kids!), and it was beautiful. If you're looking for a book to make you feel something, and something that truly speaks to what it means to be human, then this one is for you.
That you to Celadon and Netgalley for the ARC and eARC of this book! What a fantastic read.
June 16, 2024
I was provided both a digital and audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own. The audiobook is wonderful, I highly recommend it! Dion Graham does a wonderful job with the narration, giving each character a distinct voice and delivering on the emotion.
This was quite a moving and emotional story. It deals with some very heavy topics, so make sure you check trigger warnings before diving in. I'm not sure my review will do this book justice, but I'll try my best.
This follows our main character in the wake of his teenage son's death. He and his son Malcom had a bit of a combative relationship, and our narrator struggles with his choices as a father and a man after Malcom's passing. His struggles increase when he finds that Malcom was set to inherit a large plot of land from his own estranged grandfather, as next of kin it is his to deal with. He intends to sell the land but comes to find that it has historical significance and further causes our narrator to struggle with his biracial identity.
As I was reading this I was reminded of Octavia E. Butler's Kindred, this is told in jumps between the past and the present. Vercher blurs the lines of reality and uses time jumps in such an interesting way. You can't tell if our main character is actually experiencing what is described to the reader or if he is hallucinating from a cocktail of bourbon and medication. Either way the things he is experiencing is horrifying and makes him question everything.
I thought this book was beautifully done. There is a bit of magical realism, and you aren't sure exactly what is happening or if it is happening at all. Our main character is dealing with alot, and it really makes you think about racism, religion, parenting, grief, and so much more. Books told from a more stream of consciousness format are hit or miss for me, but it really works well in this book. It is as if he is having a casual conversation with you about his life as it unfolds. I also tend to shy away from books about loss of a child, as a mom it hits a bit close to the heart, but this is so well written and engaging. I do highly recommend it!
This was quite a moving and emotional story. It deals with some very heavy topics, so make sure you check trigger warnings before diving in. I'm not sure my review will do this book justice, but I'll try my best.
This follows our main character in the wake of his teenage son's death. He and his son Malcom had a bit of a combative relationship, and our narrator struggles with his choices as a father and a man after Malcom's passing. His struggles increase when he finds that Malcom was set to inherit a large plot of land from his own estranged grandfather, as next of kin it is his to deal with. He intends to sell the land but comes to find that it has historical significance and further causes our narrator to struggle with his biracial identity.
As I was reading this I was reminded of Octavia E. Butler's Kindred, this is told in jumps between the past and the present. Vercher blurs the lines of reality and uses time jumps in such an interesting way. You can't tell if our main character is actually experiencing what is described to the reader or if he is hallucinating from a cocktail of bourbon and medication. Either way the things he is experiencing is horrifying and makes him question everything.
I thought this book was beautifully done. There is a bit of magical realism, and you aren't sure exactly what is happening or if it is happening at all. Our main character is dealing with alot, and it really makes you think about racism, religion, parenting, grief, and so much more. Books told from a more stream of consciousness format are hit or miss for me, but it really works well in this book. It is as if he is having a casual conversation with you about his life as it unfolds. I also tend to shy away from books about loss of a child, as a mom it hits a bit close to the heart, but this is so well written and engaging. I do highly recommend it!
June 12, 2024
"𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞."
3.5
So much of this book was SO well done. The grief, the grappling with religious standings, the struggle to find your own identity in the face of adversity, the substance abuse and mental health representation... amazing. All of that felt so raw and real - Vercher has such a poetic prose that brings it to life. The characters felt like normal, every-day people and I loved that. You never know what someone is going through and this book is a perfect representation of that.
I also really loved that the majority of the story was told from the main character's inner monologue that's directed at his son. I thought it was a unique way to go about telling the story and it made the emotional aspect of this book so much more powerful.
The one major part of the story that knocked it down for me was the "magical realism" aspect. Sometimes it felt a little bit overdone and almost complicated the story. While I understand the majority of why it was included throughout the book, there were some moments that didn't quite make sense to me... and maybe it would be worth a reread to see if I can find the connections after having read the whole story now. I think that some of the timeline also gets a little jumbled at points because of the different aspects of the story that are being told... it does eventually make sense for the most part, but for me personally it's a bit difficult to follow when the storyline jumps around.
Overall, not a bad read! I enjoyed it for the most part and love the raw reality that Vercher was able to portray through his writing.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to John Vercher and Celadon Books Publishing for the gifted ARC!
3.5
So much of this book was SO well done. The grief, the grappling with religious standings, the struggle to find your own identity in the face of adversity, the substance abuse and mental health representation... amazing. All of that felt so raw and real - Vercher has such a poetic prose that brings it to life. The characters felt like normal, every-day people and I loved that. You never know what someone is going through and this book is a perfect representation of that.
I also really loved that the majority of the story was told from the main character's inner monologue that's directed at his son. I thought it was a unique way to go about telling the story and it made the emotional aspect of this book so much more powerful.
The one major part of the story that knocked it down for me was the "magical realism" aspect. Sometimes it felt a little bit overdone and almost complicated the story. While I understand the majority of why it was included throughout the book, there were some moments that didn't quite make sense to me... and maybe it would be worth a reread to see if I can find the connections after having read the whole story now. I think that some of the timeline also gets a little jumbled at points because of the different aspects of the story that are being told... it does eventually make sense for the most part, but for me personally it's a bit difficult to follow when the storyline jumps around.
Overall, not a bad read! I enjoyed it for the most part and love the raw reality that Vercher was able to portray through his writing.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to John Vercher and Celadon Books Publishing for the gifted ARC!
June 23, 2024
John Vercher's writing is strong in "Devil is Fine," drawing you straight into the complicated heart of the main character, a biracial father grappling with the loss of his teenage son. After recently inheriting a plot of land from his white relatives and feeling unmoored from his family's tragedy, he travels to the south to prepare the land for sale. While there, he begins to experience strange visions and comes to realize that the land was once the site of a former slave plantation.
The main character is at times unlikeable — he hasn't made the best choices and his life reflects that. Still, you can't help but feel for him and cheer him on. This book was unique, compelling, and somewhat dreamlike as Vercher explores themes of family, loss, racial inequalities, slavery, justice, father-son relationships, forgiveness, and redemption — all in a complex, subtly nuanced way that feels relatably human.
While I will admit that the cover didn't initially attract me (though others are drawn to it just fine), I can see how it's a perfect illustration of the story. My only wish in an otherwise striking reading experience was for more of the back story for the slaves who once inhabited and died with the land. I felt there could have been a much larger theme and emotional statement in this area — though the man's own grief packs a sufficient punch.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and John Vercher for an advance copy for honest review. This was my first John Vercher novel and I'll definitely be seeking out more.
The main character is at times unlikeable — he hasn't made the best choices and his life reflects that. Still, you can't help but feel for him and cheer him on. This book was unique, compelling, and somewhat dreamlike as Vercher explores themes of family, loss, racial inequalities, slavery, justice, father-son relationships, forgiveness, and redemption — all in a complex, subtly nuanced way that feels relatably human.
While I will admit that the cover didn't initially attract me (though others are drawn to it just fine), I can see how it's a perfect illustration of the story. My only wish in an otherwise striking reading experience was for more of the back story for the slaves who once inhabited and died with the land. I felt there could have been a much larger theme and emotional statement in this area — though the man's own grief packs a sufficient punch.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and John Vercher for an advance copy for honest review. This was my first John Vercher novel and I'll definitely be seeking out more.
July 4, 2024
When I read the synopsis for this book I thought it sounded interesting; however, it did not deliver the way I hoped it would. While there was reference to how the main character dealt with being biracial and finding out he inherited a plantation from his deceased white grandfather, it seemed like more time was spent showing how he was dealing with the tragedy surrounding his son. I was confused a lot while reading as I did not fully grasp what was happening in the present vs. the past and you don't fully know the relationship to the hallucinations he was having until midway through the book when you find out what happened to his son. Even the ending kind of left off with a cliffhanger and had me trying to figure out what really happened with the main character. Overall the book was okay but with the way it was written, I found it hard to really follow and get into. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Celadon Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 6, 2024
The narrator of Devil Is Fine is biracial, black father, white mother and is nameless throughout the book. He is suffering through things so severe his anxiety and panic attacks - aided by mixing massive quantities of alcohol and medication are starting to cause him hallucinations. On edge and in a stupor - he unknowingly emails his book agent a pitch for a book.
To: emily@randomnamehereagency.com
From: unnamednarrator@gmail.com
Subject: Devil Is Fine
"Devil Is Fine is the story of a biracial black writing professor, grieving the loss of his son, who inherits a plantation from the white side of his family. In the process of selling the land, bodies of both the plantation owners and the enslaved individuals are discovered buried on the grounds. Questioning his notions of faith and family while exploring the impact of colonialism on his identity and beliefs, he becomes haunted by the ghosts of the dead while he writes a fictional account of the land's history."
To: unnamednarrator@gmail.com
From: emily@randomnamehereagency.com
"Are you drinking again? What is this? What am I supposed to do with this? Call me when you get this. I'm worried."
This isn't a pitch for a book - this is the actual nightmare the narrator is suffering through.
This is a beautifully written book, with dark humor at times with a little bit of hope that our narrator can conquer his demons and find his identity.
To: emily@randomnamehereagency.com
From: unnamednarrator@gmail.com
Subject: Devil Is Fine
"Devil Is Fine is the story of a biracial black writing professor, grieving the loss of his son, who inherits a plantation from the white side of his family. In the process of selling the land, bodies of both the plantation owners and the enslaved individuals are discovered buried on the grounds. Questioning his notions of faith and family while exploring the impact of colonialism on his identity and beliefs, he becomes haunted by the ghosts of the dead while he writes a fictional account of the land's history."
To: unnamednarrator@gmail.com
From: emily@randomnamehereagency.com
"Are you drinking again? What is this? What am I supposed to do with this? Call me when you get this. I'm worried."
This isn't a pitch for a book - this is the actual nightmare the narrator is suffering through.
This is a beautifully written book, with dark humor at times with a little bit of hope that our narrator can conquer his demons and find his identity.
June 18, 2024
I’m struggling with just how to describe this phenomenal book. Devil Is Fine is far more than just fine. Featuring lyrical prose, incredibly timely themes, and a sympathetic narrator, I was moved from the first page to the last as I read this indescribable book.
Our narrator is a grieving father who’s just lost his only son. He’s also a biracial man who finds out he’s inherited a plantation. Either of these two themes would have made for an excellent story, but together they weave an even more complex tale. Add in an additional element of magical realism and wow. This last at first blush seemed almost absurd in this context, but it became much more compelling if also perplexing as the story progressed. It worked like a sort of poetry, pulling together the difficult personal and social issues this story explored so exquisitely.
Thank you John Vercher, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Our narrator is a grieving father who’s just lost his only son. He’s also a biracial man who finds out he’s inherited a plantation. Either of these two themes would have made for an excellent story, but together they weave an even more complex tale. Add in an additional element of magical realism and wow. This last at first blush seemed almost absurd in this context, but it became much more compelling if also perplexing as the story progressed. It worked like a sort of poetry, pulling together the difficult personal and social issues this story explored so exquisitely.
Thank you John Vercher, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 9, 2024
I HIGHLY recommend the audio here. It brought out the humor present and the voice of our narrator cannot be missed on the page but is absolutely all encompassing in our ears. I sometimes had no clue what was going on and if it was real or not, but somehow, it all worked. It goes without saying that a book about reconciling, dissecting, and reclaiming a dark past will be dark, but I feel the need to say this really gets dark, with some major horror elements at play.
April 25, 2024
Devil is Fine is told from the perspective of a biracial man speaking conversationally to his dead son. The narrator is struggling to process his grief over the loss of his 17-year-old son when he learns that he has inherited a large tract of property in a beachside town close to his home on the Northeast Coast of the US. The property had been bequeathed to his son from his maternal great-grandfather and on the death of his son, it passes to the narrator. The narrator did not have a good relationship with his white grandparents and his plan is to have the property surveyed and then sell it. However, in a twist of fate, human remains are found on the property – five of European descent and three of West African descent, thereby confirming that the property had been a plantation with slaves. Throughout the novel, the narrator struggles to come to terms with this complex legacy, his grief, and regret over his mistakes.
Devil is Fine is a layered, poetic, finely-crafted work of literature. It is the kind of novel that a reader should take their time reading, allowing the words to sink in and rereading some passages. I did not understand what was happening at the beginning of the novel, or even in the middle of it, but I knew I needed to be patient and it would all coalesce into something greater than the sum of its parts, and I was not disappointed. The narrator is a deeply flawed and likeable person. He is carrying the weight of his own grief, guilt and regret and history adds the additional burden from his ancestors. Combined with his health issues, medications and “fall off the wagon”, this leads to frightening visions which could be hallucinations, dreams or “haints”. It all culminates in a reckoning which finally gives him some peace.
This novel will stay with me. Thank you to Celadon for bringing me another extraordinary novel.
Devil is Fine is a layered, poetic, finely-crafted work of literature. It is the kind of novel that a reader should take their time reading, allowing the words to sink in and rereading some passages. I did not understand what was happening at the beginning of the novel, or even in the middle of it, but I knew I needed to be patient and it would all coalesce into something greater than the sum of its parts, and I was not disappointed. The narrator is a deeply flawed and likeable person. He is carrying the weight of his own grief, guilt and regret and history adds the additional burden from his ancestors. Combined with his health issues, medications and “fall off the wagon”, this leads to frightening visions which could be hallucinations, dreams or “haints”. It all culminates in a reckoning which finally gives him some peace.
This novel will stay with me. Thank you to Celadon for bringing me another extraordinary novel.
July 22, 2024
I finished this book an hour ago and have since been sitting here staring at my screen trying to put into words something that has taken hold of my soul, which is pretty hard to do.
First, I want to say that the reviewers who said that they were confused throughout most of this book are the exact group of people who NEED to read this. It is not confusing at all, in fact it makes perfect sense and is quite easy to follow. Yes, there are magical realism elements, all of which make sense as the narrator tries to grapple with an unspeakable grief followed by an inheritence that he never wanted but now has a dire responsibility too. As a biracial person in America I understand that I relate to this personally more than a lot of people. From the conversations with colleagues and friends who feel comfortabe saying things to me because of my perceived whiteness, to his job tokening him until it is no longer the "hot" thing to do and then letting him go, to grappling with inhereted trauma from BOTH the trauma causers and the trauma receivers, going back hundreds of years, and so many things in between. But that's why I think that it is such an important book. Because it talks about an American history that most people want to keep covered up and it desperately NEEDS to be uncovered. I am calling this required reading. Schools should remove the outdated "classics" from the required reading list and add this gem instead.
Now, on to my review. This book is written in a unique prose that I don't think I have ever seen before in a novel, at least not for the entire book. The narrator tells the entire story in dialog, a dialog that the narrator is having with his dead son. This causes the reader to be a direct part of the story instead of just a voyuer. The prose is absolutely beautiful, and while nearly all of the topics presented are horrific and heartbreaking, the author somehow manages to still make it funny...like laugh out loud funny...though the humour is very dark. There are several subtle literary nods like the naming of all of the characters except for the narrator, the countless nicknames that Clarence comes up with for the narrator, and the agent, who is basically every literary agent ever. But what struck me the most was that with all of the pain and trauma and history, this still manages to be a redemption story. The narrator comes back from the brink of insanity to overcome his biggest fear AND change the future of 3 enslaved people who's past could not be undone. Whether we are to believe that the magical elements were supposed to be taken as literally happening (there's a witness to confirm the narrator turns into his ancestor in front of their eyes and a shard that appears in his wounded leg after multiple doctors had declared the wound to be just fine), or that the narrator was actually just losing his mind from the grief (along with the mixing of anti-depressants with alcohol) he was utimately redeemed and I would even venture to say that he managed to heal the generational trauma that had been given to him without his consent. He healed this for himself, his son, his ancestors, the slaves who his ancestors tortured and murdered, even his parents.
Every single character is well written, well developed, and real. The topics are hard to read, uncomfortable even. But that's the point. This book isn't very long, only 272 pages, so there are just a couple of things that I would love to have seen a little more of. For one, the relationship between the narrator and his estranged grandfather and why it went bad (the narrator's son comments that they used to be close and the narrator only replies that the grandfather is a bad man), and what the narrator decides to do with the plantation. Will he sell or rent to the wedding planners? I kept going back to see if I missed what he decided. Lastly, I really wanted Freddie to end up being the narrator's agent in the end. This would have been a nice callback to the earlier (poorly delivered) joke that the narrator makes about her being Jamaican (IYKYK). While I would have liked to see these things, the lack of them does not change how I feel about this beautiful, brilliant, unique, heartbreaking, and ultimately redeeming book. I want to give it 10 stars. One more note, I went back and forth between the audio and print book, and the narrator of the audio is EXCELLENT and may have made this even more enjoyable to read.
I am a voracious reader, and there have only been a few books in my entire life that made me want to meet the author personally to tell them how much their book meant to me. This book is absolutely one of them. @John Vercher I noticed that you read and like some of the reviews on here so if you are reading this, THANK YOU.
First, I want to say that the reviewers who said that they were confused throughout most of this book are the exact group of people who NEED to read this. It is not confusing at all, in fact it makes perfect sense and is quite easy to follow. Yes, there are magical realism elements, all of which make sense as the narrator tries to grapple with an unspeakable grief followed by an inheritence that he never wanted but now has a dire responsibility too. As a biracial person in America I understand that I relate to this personally more than a lot of people. From the conversations with colleagues and friends who feel comfortabe saying things to me because of my perceived whiteness, to his job tokening him until it is no longer the "hot" thing to do and then letting him go, to grappling with inhereted trauma from BOTH the trauma causers and the trauma receivers, going back hundreds of years, and so many things in between. But that's why I think that it is such an important book. Because it talks about an American history that most people want to keep covered up and it desperately NEEDS to be uncovered. I am calling this required reading. Schools should remove the outdated "classics" from the required reading list and add this gem instead.
Now, on to my review. This book is written in a unique prose that I don't think I have ever seen before in a novel, at least not for the entire book. The narrator tells the entire story in dialog, a dialog that the narrator is having with his dead son. This causes the reader to be a direct part of the story instead of just a voyuer. The prose is absolutely beautiful, and while nearly all of the topics presented are horrific and heartbreaking, the author somehow manages to still make it funny...like laugh out loud funny...though the humour is very dark. There are several subtle literary nods like the naming of all of the characters except for the narrator, the countless nicknames that Clarence comes up with for the narrator, and the agent, who is basically every literary agent ever. But what struck me the most was that with all of the pain and trauma and history, this still manages to be a redemption story. The narrator comes back from the brink of insanity to overcome his biggest fear AND change the future of 3 enslaved people who's past could not be undone. Whether we are to believe that the magical elements were supposed to be taken as literally happening (there's a witness to confirm the narrator turns into his ancestor in front of their eyes and a shard that appears in his wounded leg after multiple doctors had declared the wound to be just fine), or that the narrator was actually just losing his mind from the grief (along with the mixing of anti-depressants with alcohol) he was utimately redeemed and I would even venture to say that he managed to heal the generational trauma that had been given to him without his consent. He healed this for himself, his son, his ancestors, the slaves who his ancestors tortured and murdered, even his parents.
Every single character is well written, well developed, and real. The topics are hard to read, uncomfortable even. But that's the point. This book isn't very long, only 272 pages, so there are just a couple of things that I would love to have seen a little more of. For one, the relationship between the narrator and his estranged grandfather and why it went bad (the narrator's son comments that they used to be close and the narrator only replies that the grandfather is a bad man), and what the narrator decides to do with the plantation. Will he sell or rent to the wedding planners? I kept going back to see if I missed what he decided. Lastly, I really wanted Freddie to end up being the narrator's agent in the end. This would have been a nice callback to the earlier (poorly delivered) joke that the narrator makes about her being Jamaican (IYKYK). While I would have liked to see these things, the lack of them does not change how I feel about this beautiful, brilliant, unique, heartbreaking, and ultimately redeeming book. I want to give it 10 stars. One more note, I went back and forth between the audio and print book, and the narrator of the audio is EXCELLENT and may have made this even more enjoyable to read.
I am a voracious reader, and there have only been a few books in my entire life that made me want to meet the author personally to tell them how much their book meant to me. This book is absolutely one of them. @John Vercher I noticed that you read and like some of the reviews on here so if you are reading this, THANK YOU.
May 28, 2024
“If your devil is real, send me to him. If I got to choose between your God and the devil, then the devil is fine. Send me to him so I can haunt you and yours until all your dying days.”
I chose this book to review based on its description and author’s credentials – after quickly scanning the internet and finding positive blurbs regarding his previous work, I dove in. I was pulled in immediately and not disappointed with the experience.
The novel opens somberly with a divorced man attending his teenage son’s funeral and it’s clear he has strained relations with his ex-wife and parents. Utilizing the stream-of-conscious/inner voice technique, we learn quickly that he is haunted and gain insight into the protagonist’s points of view, hear his inner thoughts, and understand his emotions, actions, and motivations. This choice worked well because the novel is deeply layered and is influenced by religious, political, social, economic, and racial aspects – all blending together in a dizzying dysfunctional mess of a man grappling to make sense of it all: father-son relationships, challenges to faith/religion, survivor’s guilt. Via the lens of academia and the publishing industry, we see him deal with diversity, equality, and inclusion issues, identity politics, the desire to belong, and the bi-/multi-racial conundrums of navigating difficult spaces as “other.”
These are heavy, multi-dimensional topics alone; so, when he discovers he has inherited land (specifically a former slave plantation) and gruesome discoveries on said land, his problems are exacerbated to the point of otherworldly delusions. The use of humor, wordplay, witty monologues/dialogues, insightful observations is where the author shines brilliantly – akin to (in my opinion) the comedic stylings of Percival Everett and Paul Beatty. The witticisms, vulnerability, and wholesomeness of the protagonist made him a likable character (in fact, the entire cast was richly flushed out very well) – I was rooting for him from the beginning through the end.
I enjoyed this offering tremendously and will add this author’s previous work to my backlog.
Thanks to the publisher, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
I chose this book to review based on its description and author’s credentials – after quickly scanning the internet and finding positive blurbs regarding his previous work, I dove in. I was pulled in immediately and not disappointed with the experience.
The novel opens somberly with a divorced man attending his teenage son’s funeral and it’s clear he has strained relations with his ex-wife and parents. Utilizing the stream-of-conscious/inner voice technique, we learn quickly that he is haunted and gain insight into the protagonist’s points of view, hear his inner thoughts, and understand his emotions, actions, and motivations. This choice worked well because the novel is deeply layered and is influenced by religious, political, social, economic, and racial aspects – all blending together in a dizzying dysfunctional mess of a man grappling to make sense of it all: father-son relationships, challenges to faith/religion, survivor’s guilt. Via the lens of academia and the publishing industry, we see him deal with diversity, equality, and inclusion issues, identity politics, the desire to belong, and the bi-/multi-racial conundrums of navigating difficult spaces as “other.”
These are heavy, multi-dimensional topics alone; so, when he discovers he has inherited land (specifically a former slave plantation) and gruesome discoveries on said land, his problems are exacerbated to the point of otherworldly delusions. The use of humor, wordplay, witty monologues/dialogues, insightful observations is where the author shines brilliantly – akin to (in my opinion) the comedic stylings of Percival Everett and Paul Beatty. The witticisms, vulnerability, and wholesomeness of the protagonist made him a likable character (in fact, the entire cast was richly flushed out very well) – I was rooting for him from the beginning through the end.
I enjoyed this offering tremendously and will add this author’s previous work to my backlog.
Thanks to the publisher, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
June 26, 2024
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story! After the death of his son, the bi-racial narrator inherits land from the white side of his family. When bodies are found buried on his land, he learns that it was a plantation. Throughout the story, the narrator deals with his grief, his faith, and his identity as a black man and father. This book had many twists and turns, and the dual timeline added a lot of insight into his relationship with his son. This book was nothing like what I expected, but I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to John Vercher and Celadon for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5⭐️ (rounded up to 4 stars)
Thank you to John Vercher and Celadon for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5⭐️ (rounded up to 4 stars)
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