60 pages • 2 hours read
336
Novel • Fiction
2021
Adult
18+ years
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott intertwines the stories of a young Black boy named Soot in rural North Carolina, whose parents teach him to become invisible for safety, and an unnamed Black author on a book tour, struggling with grief, hallucinations, and memory loss. Sensitive topics in the novel include anti-Black police violence and mental illness.
Emotional
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Humorous
27,906 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott has been widely praised for its innovative narrative structure and poignant exploration of race and identity. Readers appreciate Mott's blending of humor and gravity, although some find the non-linear storyline challenging. Overall, it’s hailed as a profound and timely piece, despite occasional difficulty in following the plot.
Readers who appreciate introspective, metafictional narratives like Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison or The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz will enjoy Hell of a Book by Jason Mott. This novel combines humor, tragedy, and a profound exploration of racial identity, making it compelling for those interested in complex, thought-provoking stories.
27,906 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
336
Novel • Fiction
2021
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.