Thank you for approving me for this title. After some thought, I’ve realized it’s not quite the right fit for me personally, so I won’t be able to provide a full review. I appreciate the opportunity to access it and wish the book great success.

John Vercher has crafted a literary masterpiece that transcends genre boundaries in *Devil Is Fine*, a haunting exploration of grief, identity, and the weight of inherited trauma. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page—a profound meditation on what it means to reckon with both personal loss and America's original sins.

The unnamed narrator, a biracial writing professor reeling from his teenage son's sudden death, receives an unexpected inheritance: a plantation from his estranged white grandfather. What should be a simple real estate transaction becomes a journey into the deepest caverns of American history and personal identity. As he travels to this coastal town with plans to quickly sell and leave, he discovers that the land holds the remains of both his slave-owning ancestors and the people they enslaved—a discovery that shatters his already fragmented sense of self.

Vercher's use of magical realism is nothing short of brilliant. The supernatural elements don't feel forced or gimmicky; instead, they emerge organically from the narrator's grief-stricken state, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination, past and present. The author masterfully creates a reading experience where you question what's real alongside the protagonist, feeling the same disorientation and psychological unraveling that comes with profound loss.

The writing itself is exceptional—prose that is both lyrical and unflinchingly honest. Vercher has a gift for capturing the complexity of biracial identity in America, particularly the way grief can strip away the careful compartmentalization that allows mixed-race individuals to navigate different spaces. The narrator's spiral is difficult to witness, but Vercher writes it with such compassion and authenticity that you can't help but feel deeply for this man making increasingly poor choices while drowning in sorrow.

What elevates this novel beyond a simple grief narrative is Vercher's fearless examination of inherited trauma—both personal and historical. The plantation setting serves as more than just backdrop; it becomes a character itself, forcing the narrator to confront not just his son's death but the violent legacy that flows through his bloodline. The absurdist elements that emerge from this confrontation are both darkly comic and deeply unsettling, creating a reading experience that defies easy categorization.

The book's structure mirrors the narrator's fractured mental state, with chapters that feel like fragments of consciousness pieced together. This technique could have felt pretentious in less skilled hands, but Vercher uses it to create genuine intimacy with his protagonist's psychological journey. You feel the weight of his grief, the confusion of his identity crisis, and the surreal nature of inheriting land soaked in blood and suffering.

Perhaps most impressively, Vercher manages to tackle enormous themes—racism, colonialism, father-son relationships, and the publishing industry—without ever losing sight of the human heart at the story's center. This is fundamentally a book about a father's love for his son and the devastating aftermath of that son's death, but it's also a searing indictment of American racial dynamics and the ways our history continues to haunt the present.

The novel's exploration of the writing life adds another layer of authenticity, as Vercher clearly draws from his own experiences as a biracial author navigating predominantly white literary spaces. The narrator's struggles with his career and his relationship with his own work feel painfully real and add depth to his character beyond the central tragedy.

*Devil Is Fine* is the kind of novel that reminds you why literature matters. It's a book that dares to be both experimental and deeply human, tackling America's most difficult conversations while never losing sight of individual pain and resilience. Vercher has created something truly special here—a work that feels essential for our current moment while remaining timelessly powerful in its examination of loss, identity, and the ghosts we inherit.

This is a novel that deserves to be read widely and discussed deeply, a stunning achievement that establishes Vercher as one of our most important contemporary voices.

**Highly recommended for:** Readers of literary fiction, anyone interested in explorations of biracial identity, fans of magical realism, and those seeking profound examinations of grief and American history. A must-read for 2024.

This book is incredibly thought-provoking, tackling heavy subjects like grief, racism, and intergenerational trauma with remarkable sensitivity and a surprising touch of dark humor. While it's a deep and challenging read, the powerful storytelling and John Vercher's exquisite writing make it an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate literary fiction that delves into complex themes with depth and nuance.

A biracial professor, grieving the tragic death of his teenage son, inherits a plot of land from an estranged grandparent. What a premise.

The land turns out to be a former plantation, complete with enslaved remains, complicating the narrator's decision to sell it. Meanwhile, he struggles with panic attacks, tenure troubles, and ghostly apparitions. If you like magical realism and poetic writing, I highly recommend this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing this digital reviewer copy.

I was intriged by the synopsis for The Devil is Fine. A man who is reeling from his 17 year old son's death receives a letter letting him know that he has received a parcel of land from his materal grandfather. He drops everything to move to the seaside of the Northeast, where his identity is shaken by the dark and haunting secret that lies beneath this inherited land. Devil is Fine is a brilliantly-crafted dissection of the legacies we leave behind, and those we inherit.
This book was a solid three for me, it was very much a character driven plot and I loved the humor throughout. I truly felt for the MMC, a big part of the story was centered around his struggle to deal with being both black and white. He seemed to subconciously resent his son because he was visibly "more black" than the MC. I can relate to a degree, when I was in middle and high school I defintely struggled where do I fit in being mixed. Both seen as too black to be white and too white to be black. It was interesting at at this man's grown age he was still grappling with this, I think we have a duty to our children to do our best to not pass down or place our traumas on them. The horror element was secondary to the identity crisis. Therefore, the horror felt vey rushed as did the ending.

This was such a powerful piece of literary fiction with a bit of magical realism and dry humor. It was well written, a good length, and touched on important topics of racial identity and grief.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read Devil is Fine by John Vercher. I was able to listen to this book through my local library and really enjoyed the narrator.
I must admit, I spent most of this book confused. But there were moments throughout that were easier to follow.
I tend to enjoy quirky books with magical realism, and was very intrigued with the protagonist turning into a jellyfish. I feel like this book holds so many different emotions - sadness and grief, anger, hope - and there were so many elements involved - racism, slavery, loss, tragedy. I feel like much of this book went above my concept of understanding. I'm still grateful I read it.

The Devil is Fine was incredibly captivating and a gift to storytelling. I don't think I've read a book like this before.

I received a copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

In DEVIL IS FINE John Vercher crafts an intricate tale that navigates the complexities of racial identity, grief, and the legacies we inherit. The story is told through the eyes of a biracial father, still reeling from the tragic loss of his teenage son, Malcolm. The narrative unfolds as the father receives a letter from an attorney, revealing that he has inherited a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather.

Initially, the father's intention is clear: he plans to sell the land and move on from his grief. However, as he arrives at the coastal town and begins to explore the land, he uncovers a shocking truth: it was once a plantation, marked by the suffering of enslaved individuals. This revelation forces the narrator to confront not only his family's past but also the troubled dynamics of his relationship with Malcolm, who was meant to inherit the land.

I enjoyed this moving story with its themes of regret, grief, and the struggle for identity. The father’s conversational tone added a layer of intimacy, and with his self-deprecating humor mixed with regret, I really liked him. However, there were several moments when I felt a bit confused by the dialog, and I am still not sure what the author meant! Ultimately, the story ties together with an emotional and meaningful conclusion.

I want to give special mention to the audio version. The narrator, Dion Graham, does an exceptional job providing the voice for the father.

Devil is Fine was the perfect historical fiction read for February; it sparked such a thought-provoking discussion in our buddy read group.

I'm really impressed by this novel. The book is written in the second person, which I don’t often come across, but here it works beautifully. The confessional tone, directed at the unnamed narrator's son Malcolm, who has passed away, creates a deep intimacy, pulling me directly into his complex emotional world.

The narrator, a biracial author, struggles with grief and regrets after losing his son. He inherits land from his white grandfather that was once a plantation. The discovery of skeletons of enslaved people on the property forces him to confront its painful history. As he deals with the weight of his inheritance and his son's death, his mental stability begins to unravel.

What I loved:
✨Mental Health & Grief: The narrator’s panic attacks, struggles with sobriety, and emotional unraveling felt so raw and real. His fugue states and the tension of his deteriorating mind highlight how grief can overwhelm and distort reality.
✨Slices of Humor: Despite the novel’s heavy themes, I appreciated the humor that balanced the weight. The banter in the bar scenes and the narrator’s use of humor to deflect discomfort provided lighter moments that kept the story from becoming too overwhelming.
✨Unnamed narrator: Brillant!! This decision to leave him unnamed amplifies the themes of identity. Throughout the novel, he questions who he is—not just as a father, a son, a writer, but also a biracial man in a world that constantly tries to define him.
✨Narration: Dion Graham’s narration of the audiobook was outstanding, bringing the story and its raw emotions to life. His voice was perfect for this deeply introspective novel.

I highly recommend this beautifully written and emotionally charged story. It’s one that will stay with me for a long time.

This book had a lot of interesting parts to it. Ghostly magical realism mixed with dark comedy and struggling with racial identity. This was a super interesting read, I loved the weird magical realism that was going on as the main character not only dealt with the death of his son, and then the little bit of horror elements when he also starts seeing the ghosts of his white ancestor and the slaves he owned on the plantation land he inherits from his white grandfather because of his sons passing. This isn't my typical genre but it's interesting to see the way the narrator deals with not only his grief but his racial identity that is also wrapped up in that grief.

I’m not sure I was the intended audience for this one. When I started the book, I was hooked with the first chapter. I felt like it was going to be tense and keep me on the edge of my seat. The further in I got, the more it seemed disjointed, I assume from the grief the father was feeling from the tragic loss of his son, and I had a hard time staying invested in the story.

Don’t get me wrong, the author is a wonderful with words. It just didn’t hit me the way I had hoped, but maybe it just wasn’t the right time in my life to read this one.

3 stars

If you want to talk about a book that’s narrative is incredibly unforgiving and took me out of my comfort zone — this was it.

This author carefully balances heavy hitting topics such as racism, family dynamics and more with moments of fragility and vulnerability. This book may have felt like a bunch to the gut but by god… could I have another?

This book was an unlikely love from me, but this author shocked me and definitely taught me not to judge a book by its cover here.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

Devil Is Fine by John Vercher is a gritty, heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and personal reckoning wrapped in a raw, unflinching narrative. Vercher doesn’t shy away from tough topics—racism, mental health, and family dynamics—but he balances the heaviness with moments of vulnerability and humanity that make the characters leap off the page.

The story pulls you in with its honesty and keeps you hooked with its emotional punches. It's not your typical feel-good read, but it’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking (and even texting a friend to say, “You have to read this”). Vercher’s prose is sharp and engaging, making even the tough moments feel worth it.

If you're in the mood for a powerful, introspective read with a splash of hope amid the darkness, Devil Is Fine delivers.

Devil is Fine by John Vercher
3/5 🌟

This book is a bit out of my comfort zone for books which I love to experience new perspectives and storylines. That is likely who it may have been hard for me to fully follow the book.

The unnamed protagonist a biracial professor is dealing with loss in many ways which makes it very heavy. We find him at work being told to continue to produce another book on the tails of a less than positive one, he then decides to leave and go visit a small town to see the land left to him from his white grandfather. Once there he reflects on raising his son and the sacrifices he made while raising a black son in todays society.

He starts to drink after being sober and we learn he lost his son as well. The land now in his name is a plantation where slaves worked so his narrative spirals a bit as expected. Wonderfully point of view and great ideas I just was a bit in the weeds as it got further in.

I was not able to read and review this one before the publishing date but now that I have read it I gave it 4 1/2 stars

“Devil is Fine” by John Vercher was an unexpected treasure. Approaching it with no expectations, I discovered a beautifully raw and unapologetic exploration of grief.

The narrative follows a biracial man, an author, who is mourning the loss of his son while inheriting a plot of land from his estranged white grandfather. From the very first chapter, I was captivated; my heart raced as the story unfolded.

The book seamlessly transitions between past and present, with parts written in a monologue form, alternating between the narrator’s perspectives as an adult father and as a son. This structure effectively conveys a heartbreaking journey filled with self-reflection and gut-wrenching discoveries.

The complexities of father-son relationships and the nuances of parenting are exquisitely depicted. The novel delves deeply into themes of grief, identity struggles, guilt, racial issues, and reconciling with a painful past. Elements of magical realism, mystery, and tragedy are interwoven so skillfully that they sent shivers down my spine. The poetic prose provided a stunning backdrop to this deeply moving story.

“Devil is Fine” is profoundly thought-provoking, and the narrator’s pain resonated through every page. One particular part moved me to tears, especially as a parent, overwhelming me with emotion.

I was fortunate to receive both an audio ALC and an electronic copy of “Devil is Fine,” which I read in tandem. Dion Graham’s narration was spectacular. I extend my thanks to @macmillan.audio @celadonbooks and @jverchwrites for providing these copies in exchange for an honest review. Vercher’s accessibility and willingness to answer some of my questions were greatly appreciated.

I’ve never read anything like this! The main character takes us through his journey while battling grief and other demons. It’ll have you wanting to yell at him while also cheering him on to get himself together.. this book makes for great discussion !

I received this novel awhile ago and forgot to post review. It is worth the time, and so well written.