Burn Down Master’s House

Inspired by true,long-buried stories of enslaved people who dared to fight backa searing portrayal of resistance for readers of Colson WhiteheadJesmyn Wardand Percival Everettfrom Clay Caneaward-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Grift. As turmoil simmers within a divided nationsmoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American Souththeir seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justiceconnecting them in ways quiet at timesexplosive at others. As these flames riseso will they. Lukequick-witted and literateand Henria man with a strong and defiant spiritforge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hellLuke and Henri will leave their marksparking resistance among the lives they touch… One is Josephinea youngsharpand observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henri’s resilienceshe listenswatcheswaits for the moment to make her move. Then there is Charity Butlerher husband a formerly enslaved man who proved his ferocity as a young boy standing alongside Josephine. At his encouragementCharity fights for her freedom in court and wins – only to battle a deeply unjust system designed to destroy the life they’ve built. And finallythere is Nathanielwho ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men wholike himare enslavers. A perversion of the system of slaveryhis fragile and contradictory rule will become a catalyst of its own. Inspired by the true stories of the profoundly courageous men and women who dared to fight backBurn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force of a novel—breathtaking in scopecompassionand a timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.