Lead Review

  • Book: My Monticello
  • Location: Charlottesville
  • Author: Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

Review Author: Tina Hartas

Location

Content

The book is largely set at Monticello (meaning hillock in Italian), the plantation home of the third President of the USA – Thomas Jefferson – a man who declared all men were born equal, yet did not espouse his own edict when it came to his slaves. Now, in a present-cum-near future, white supremacists have attacked a local neighbourhood and the ‘black and brown’ inhabitants have been forced to flee. They choose Monticello as their destination.

In the acknowledgements, the author thanks the Thomas Jefferson Foundations for the preservation and care of the house, where, she says, she felt both ‘awestruck and heartsick‘.

Da’Naisha Hemings Love is the central character, who knows the property well, having worked there. It is strange to imagine a group of people spending their days in what is primarily a tourist attraction in modern times and no longer a living house. They create food from the gift shop edibles and have to make do with the sanitary arrangements as they find them. They explore the rooms and the antiquities on show to the general public and acquaint themselves with their heritage. It transpires that Da’Naisha is a descendant of Sally Hemings, who was sold into slavery, and Jefferson is thought to have sired 6 children with her. Therefore being stationed in the house is an incredibly personal journey for her. The irony of their plight is clear.

Given the tumult and violence beyond the confines of the house, it is evident that racism and persecution are still a pernicious part of contemporary society – as if one ever doubted that. The author is like a butterfly, she alights on an issue she wants to include, draws out the nectar for her readers and then moves on, tying everything together with a capable and assured hand

This short novel has a hugely inventive premise that slides around from the present to the past, to inform on a personal and broader level. It is very readable and though provoking debut. A future ‘classic’, perhaps?

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