This novel is a Family Saga driven by the nature and complexities of human experience, a rich tapestry of good and bad generational inheritance.
We follow Ebby Freeman and her affluent parents as they navigate prejudice, trauma, and survivor’s guilt. All three carry the weight of loss, the young life of a beloved son and brother cut short during a home invasion. Years later, after being silently abandoned at the altar by Henry Pepper, she seeks refuge and solitude to tend to her new and old wounds. A friend who owns rental property offers Ebby a chance to escape scrutiny, a working sabbatical in France. Still grappling with the tragic loss of her brother and a fiancé, Ebby uses this trip to offer a new perspective on the events of her life and time to plan for the future. Just when Ebby feels her painful grip on the past may finally loosen . . . she finds herself in heart-pounding confrontation with it.
Be prepared that this novel is historical fiction and the timeline oscillates between past and present. Exploring how history, personal experiences, and family lore can play an essential role in shaping destiny is so interesting. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy stories of adversity and resilience.
I thank NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of Good Dirt for my unbiased evaluation. 5 stars