Good Dirt Audiobook By Charmaine Wilkerson cover art

Good Dirt

A Novel

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Good Dirt

By: Charmaine Wilkerson
Narrated by: January LaVoy
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About this listen

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
African American Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sagas Women's Fiction Tearjerking Heartfelt

Interview: Charmaine Wilkerson delivers another stunning multigenerational family story in "Good Dirt"

'I love how a story can be embodied by a new person and it becomes something different.'
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  • Good Dirt
  • 'I love how a story can be embodied by a new person and it becomes something different.'
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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

Masterful Storytelling • Interwoven History • Generational Saga • Emotional Depth • Rich Historical Details
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This is a very good book that begins slow but ooh this author is so satisfying to read. I loved the plot but found the slave narrative difficult to read but necessary. If highly recommend it.

A slow burn

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"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!

Ten Stars

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@ 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.

History is one of my heart strings

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We enjoyed the entire product! The story was excellently researched, and although non fiction, accurately reflects the times.

The intricate details .

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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!

Compelling!

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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.

Generational Stories

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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

Hold the Moment

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Incredible writing and exploration. There is a sadness to this story and this beautiful Black family loves strongly.

Very deep, fascinating and heartfelt!

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

Great Historical and Love Story

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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 🙌🏽

Yummy 😋

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