Hell of a Book
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Jason Mott |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Dutton |
Publication date | 2021 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 323 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0593330999 |
Hell of a Book[a] is a 2021 book by Jason Mott. It won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.
Plot summary
In alternating chapters, the novel tells the stories of two different characters: a nameless novelist on tour for a book also titled Hell of a Book, and an African-American child named Soot. Soot, who lives near Whiteville, North Carolina, is being bullied on the school bus, while the novelist is troubled by visions of a child he calls "The Kid", who speaks to him and seemingly guides him through his issues.
Reception
The Star-News said that with the novel, Mott earned "a place on the shelf beside such African-American writers as Colson Whitehead and Octavia Butler".[1]
On November 17, 2021, the novel was awarded the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.[2] It was also longlisted for the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction,[3] the 2022 Aspen Words Literary Prize,[4] and the 2022 Joyce Carol Oates Prize.[5]
Notes
- ^ The full title of the novel is Hell of a Book: Or the Altogether Factual, Wholly Bona Fide Story of a Big Dreams, Hard Luck, American-Made Mad Kid.
References
- ^ Steelman, Ben (July 17, 2021). "Wilmington-area author uses Black experience to pen 'Hell of a Book'". Star-News. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "National Book Awards 2021". National Book Foundation. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Winners". American Library Association. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Announcing the Longlist for the 2022 Aspen Words Literary Prize". Aspen Institute. November 10, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
- ^ "2022 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Longlist". The New Literary Project. Retrieved April 19, 2022.