59 pages • 1 hour read
A Good Neighborhood
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
North Carolina • Contemporary
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In A Good Neighborhood, the Whitman family moves into Oak Knoll, North Carolina, and their construction damages an old oak tree belonging to Valerie Alston-Holt and her son, Xavier. Tensions rise when Xavier and Juniper Whitman begin a secret relationship, while Valerie sues Brad Whitman over the tree. Misunderstandings, racism, and a false accusation against Xavier lead to tragic consequences. The book contains depictions of sexual assault, abuse, and suicide.
Contemplative
Emotional
Challenging
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
62,334 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Therese Anne Fowler's A Good Neighborhood is a captivating exploration of race, class, and love in a suburban setting. Many reviewers praise its timely social commentary and complex characters, though some feel the narrative occasionally lacks subtlety. Overall, it is a thought-provoking read that prompts important conversations.
Who Should Read A Good Neighborhood?
Fans of complex, character-driven dramas like Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold will relish A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler. This poignant novel tackles themes of race, class, and the impact of environmental decisions within a suburban community.
62,334 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
North Carolina • Contemporary
2020
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.