I appreciate novels that teach me while entertaining me. This is true of What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris.
In addition to sharing a compelling story about Black families in coastal Georgia, this novel introduced me to heirs property: homes and land that pass between generations of a family in the absence of legal documents. This becomes problematic when one family member wants to sell the property, forcing all others to âbuy out' that person or risk losing the property, often the home in which they are living. It can occur anywhere, but predominantly impacts Black families living in the rural South. It's a factor of my white privilege that I wasn't aware of this term or practice and its dangers for people who inherit their home in this way.
This plot has elements of a legal thriller, mystery, family drama, the supernatural, and a bit of politics; it also links to the Geechee-Gullah culture. Ms. Morris skillfully blends these many elements into a cohesive story that held my attention from beginning to end. The characters are nuanced and I wasn't sure who I could trust, which kept me turning the pages.
I'm grateful this book was put on my reading radar by Cindy Burnett and the Thoughts From a Page podcast; I read an egalley and listened to a private interview with the author as a patron perk. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the review copy.
In addition to sharing a compelling story about Black families in coastal Georgia, this novel introduced me to heirs property: homes and land that pass between generations of a family in the absence of legal documents. This becomes problematic when one family member wants to sell the property, forcing all others to âbuy out' that person or risk losing the property, often the home in which they are living. It can occur anywhere, but predominantly impacts Black families living in the rural South. It's a factor of my white privilege that I wasn't aware of this term or practice and its dangers for people who inherit their home in this way.
This plot has elements of a legal thriller, mystery, family drama, the supernatural, and a bit of politics; it also links to the Geechee-Gullah culture. Ms. Morris skillfully blends these many elements into a cohesive story that held my attention from beginning to end. The characters are nuanced and I wasn't sure who I could trust, which kept me turning the pages.
I'm grateful this book was put on my reading radar by Cindy Burnett and the Thoughts From a Page podcast; I read an egalley and listened to a private interview with the author as a patron perk. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the review copy.
