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I’m still reading books I’ve had on my shelves for awhile but haven’t read yet… and the one I’m here to discuss today is no different!
It’s “A Good Neighborhood” by Therese Anne Fowler.
I bought this book in 2020, and I know I really wanted to read it because I ordered it from a small book shop in Georgia (meaning I paid full price for it, and it’s not even thrifted!). I was likely drawn in by its cover and setting: a university town in North Carolina.
However, I have a semi-bad habit of reading the first sentence of a book’s description and choosing to read it or not just based on that.
On one hand, that means I probably read a lot of books I otherwise would’ve looked over but it also means I end up SHOCKED mid-book when things take a turn.
Here’s the scoop on “A Good Neighborhood”:
In the lush, close-knit community of Oak Knoll, North Carolina, Valerie Alston-Holt, a professor of forestry and ecology, is raising her bright and talented biracial son, Xavier, who is preparing to leave for college in the fall. Life seems peaceful until the Whitmans, a wealthy family with a troubled teenage daughter, move in next door, tearing down the existing house and trees to build a grand new home.
Despite sharing only a property line, tension soon rises between the two families—first over a historic oak tree in Valerie’s yard and later, the budding romance between their teenagers.
A Good Neighborhood tackles pressing questions about modern American life: what does it mean to be a good neighbor, and how do we coexist when our perspectives clash? Through themes of class, race, and complex love, this novel offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of community and human connection.
This book started off pretty slow; almost a little boring.
And then it really unexpectedly slammed into gear — my jaw was literally hanging open.
I won’t spoil anything, and I will say this book is not for everyone, as some uncomfortable topics get brought up.
But I’m going to be thinking about this book for a long, long time.
Without meaning to, I’ve been reading many books this year that deal with complicated stories and complex people.
In this book, each character’s many layers contribute to what ultimately happens. This doesn’t mean what they do is right, but the thin layers contribute to each action.
If you’ve read this, I’d love to know your thoughts!
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The Bitter Lemon 