Hell of a Book

Hell of a Book[lower-alpha 1] is a 2021 book by Jason Mott. It won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.

Hell of a Book
First edition cover
AuthorJason Mott
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherDutton
Publication date
2021
Pages323 pp
ISBN978-0593330999

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 in riddles.

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
  1. 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
  1. Steelman, Ben (July 17, 2021). "Wilmington-area author uses Black experience to pen 'Hell of a Book'". Star-News. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  2. "National Book Awards 2021". National Book Foundation. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  3. "2022 Winners". American Library Association. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  4. "Announcing the Longlist for the 2022 Aspen Words Literary Prize". Aspen Institute. November 10, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  5. "2022 Joyce Carol Oates Prize Longlist". The New Literary Project. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
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