Good Dirt

A Novel

By: Charmaine Wilkerson

Narrated by: January LaVoy

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake, a Read with Jenna Book Club Pick

“Engrossing . . . Wilkerson masterfully weaves these threads of love, loss and legacy [into] a thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga.”—The New York Times

When ten-year-old Ebby Freeman heard the gunshot, time stopped. And when she saw her brother, Baz, lying on the floor surrounded by the shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar, life as Ebby knew it shattered as well.

The crime was never solved—and because the Freemans were one of the only Black families in a particularly well-to-do enclave of New England—the case has had an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public. The last thing the Freemans want is another media frenzy splashing their family across the papers, but when Ebby's high profile romance falls apart without any explanation, that's exactly what they get.

So Ebby flees to France, only for her past to follow her there. And as she tries to process what's happened, she begins to think about the other loss her family suffered on that day eighteen years ago—the stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations, brought North by an enslaved ancestor. But little does she know that the handcrafted piece of pottery held more than just her family's history—it might also hold the key to unlocking her own future.

In this sweeping, evocative novel, Charmaine Wilkerson brings to life a multi-generational epic that examines how the past informs our present.

©2025 Charmaine Wilkerson (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Engrossing . . . Wilkerson masterfully weaves these threads of love, loss and legacy through Old Mo’s journey as well as the ongoing mystery of Baz’s murder. The result is a thoroughly researched and beautifully imagined family saga, with a moving and hopeful ending.”—The New York Times​

“[A] moving sophomore novel . . . a multigenerational tale about a family haunted by tragedy.”—The Washington Post

“A remarkable exploration of family bonds, grief, heartbreak, friendship, and the deep scars of slavery and racism, Good Dirt seamlessly links the tragedies and resilience of our past in a way that is both brilliantly resonant and heartbreakingly beautiful. 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.”—​Abi Daré, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl with the Louding Voice

Great Historical and Love Story

Absolutely Love this book. I dont hear much about my people and I truly appreciated hearing facts of the Boston Old culture.

Yummy 😋

This novel was soooooo delicious I couldn't stop listening!!!!!!!!!! Each character (ingredients) storyline (stock) and woven together lives (seasoning) kept me hungry for more. I have been blessed 🙌🏽

Ten Stars

"The mind cannot be chained" was the engravement. This novel echoed that with imaginative storytelling that kept you engaged throughout . The Freedman family will be engraved in my mind with its depth of characters and richness of history concerning a particular jar. Such an excellent read!

History is one of my heart strings

@ Brownsugabc wanted to choose an amazing Author for the month of black history. And Charmaine left no crumbs behind with this book. I was completely full from reading. I felt like a kid in the front seat of history class. I was all ears from beginning to end! I finished with more than I expected. Such a knowledgeable book. Very much enjoyed it.

Moments of brilliance

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

In Short: Many moments of brilliance and some great commentary on many important topics and a great exposition of grief, but the brilliance is slightly lessened by some loose threads and some disjointed themes.

General Thoughts: This was a book club read. Similar to Black Cake, I enjoyed a lot about the book. Many moments in this book shone and were really thought-provoking. I loved how Charmaine really delved into grief and also how intergenerational trauma can complicate that grief. I also loved the symbolism and history of the jar. Charmaine is at her best when she dips into family lore, and the snippets into the past were really one done. There was a lot to love about this book.

However, at the conclusion of part two, I found myself thinking, how are we only halfway through the book? The book is only 368 pages, but it felt so much longer. I think that's indicative of some of the pacing issues in the book. Now, there were many parts of Parts 3 and 4 that I absolutely loved, but the book at times felt disjointed or like some threads didn't fully connect. I felt it could have benefited from some pruning and tightening up a bit. Some characters and POVs felt like they cluttered the story. I said I felt like the author tried to do too much in book one all at once, and I felt that way here, too. But I would definitely read more by the author because I think she'll get there. Lots to love about this book, but some parts were hard to get through.

Tropes:
-historical fiction
-multi pOV
-family saga
-family mystery

Fantastic performance of an outstanding story

My gosh, this book was complex with complicated but believable characters and the layers of history that shaped them. The reading was truly acting and took you directly into the moment. This was one of the best audio books I have ever, ever read.

Absolutely Beautiful!

Charmaine Wilkerson doesn’t miss! I cried like a baby at the end! This story was more than beautifully crafted. I can’t wait to read more by her! 🥹

Compelling!

This beautifully written story had me hooked immediately. The rich history of how enslaved people contributed to the beauty of the world, while unfolding the traumatic story of Basil, and Ebony and the family navigating of life while also reckoning with the trauma, the attention, and the reality of everything was just masterfully intertwined. I loved the opportunity to hear each characters thoughts and perspectives throughout time. Beautiful!

Generational Stories

Charmine Wilkerson did it again. Good Dirt is full of generational stories, some family trauma due to a murder that was left unsolved and how the family has not been healed. There’s a bit of drama and romance. Truly enjoyed this book.

Hold the Moment

This was a deep dive through the minds of so many and so many perspectives. I don’t know if it’s me being the same age as Ebby, reading about the trade routes while visiting the area, or just the light of strong black people fighting for freedom but WOW