My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
A Powerful Debut on Race, Belonging, and Resistance
My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson is a stunning literary debut that weaves together stories of identity, history, and survival in America. At the center of this acclaimed collection is the title novella, in which a young Black woman leads a group of neighbors to take refuge in Thomas Jefferson’s historic Monticello estate once owned by her ancestors’ enslaver in the wake of a violent white supremacist attack.
Blending speculative fiction, realism, and historical reflection, Johnson explores the complexities of being Black and American today, asking what it means to claim space and rewrite the narrative.
Book Bundle
Perfect for fans of The Vanishing Half, The Prophets, and How Long 'Til Black Future Month? ideal for readers who appreciate bold literary fiction, social commentary, and emotional depth.
Why My Monticello is a Must-Read:
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Award Finalist: Longlisted for the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award.
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Narrative Range: Includes short stories and one unforgettable novella.
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Urgent Themes: Tackles race, climate, history, and resistance.
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Critical Acclaim: Called “a masterwork of fiction” by NPR and The New York Times.
Memorable Quote (from the book)
"We claimed the house because it was ours because, in some deep way, it had always been ours."
Translation (Sinhala):
"අපි ගෙදර හිමිකමට පැමිණිෙම ඒක අපේ නිසායි ගැඹුරු මට්ටමකදී, එය සෑම විටම අපේවෙලා තිබුණා."
Translation (Tamil):
"அந்த வீட்டை நாம் கைப்பற்றியது அது நமதே என்பதால் அது எப்போதும் நமதேயாக இருந்தது."
Availability at Booxworm.lk
You can order My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson online from Booxworm.lk or visit our Colombo store to read one of the most urgent and praised debut collections in recent American literature.
Physical Store Location:
180, W.A. Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
+94 768 46 2551
Visit: www.booxworm.lk
About the Book
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Title: My Monticello
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Author: Jocelyn Nicole Johnson
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ISBN: 9781250865879
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Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
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Published Year: 2021
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Number of Pages: ~224 Pages (Paperback)
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Genre: Literary Fiction / Short Stories / African American Fiction / Speculative Fiction
