House of Cotton

Author:

Monica Brashears

Genre:

Literary Fiction, Horror

Summary:

After Magnolia’s grandmother dies, she finds herself pregnant, strapped for cash, and avoiding her creepy landlord who wont take no for an answer. So when Cotton offers her a lucrative opportunity— with cash up front— she takes it. But as time wears on, she’s asked to give more and more of herself with increasingly odd requests. She starts to lose her way and becomes haunted by her past.

Review:

I’m dumbfounded to learn this is a debut author. She holds complete command over the narrative (and my attention) with exquisite word choices and symbolism. Although Magnolia finds herself conforming to the wills of those around her, but the author always finds ways to subvert the readers’ expectations. magnolia is a fighter who may not win every battle, but is a force to be reckoned with as she navigates racism, misogyny, violence, and trauma as a strong, black, southern woman.

My Rating:

4 Stars

Beverage Pairing: Large quantities of sweet tea, spiked with bourbon.