James Hannaham Boeken

Gelukkig waren ze, Darlene en Nat Hardison, met hun zoontje Eddie, hun buurtwinkel en de politieke bijeenkomsten bij hen thuis. Maar na de gewelddadige moord op Nat verliest Darlene zich in drugs en staat Eddie er hoegenaamd alleen voor. Dan krijgt Darlene een veelbelovende baan aangeboden op een boerderij die gerund blijkt te worden door een louche bedrijf - met rampzalige gevolgen. Aardse vruchten vertelt het verhaal van drie onvergetelijke personages: een moeder, haar zoon en het verdovende middel dat hen beiden te gronde dreigt te richten. Vol humor en compassie belicht deze eigentijdse Grote Amerikaanse Roman thema's als liefde en vrijheid, vergeving en verlossing, (zelf)destructie en de wil om te overleven. (flaptekst)

In this “dangerously hilarious” novel, a trans woman reenters life after over twenty years in a men’s prison, set against the backdrop of a consequential Fourth of July weekend. Carlotta Mercedes has faced misunderstanding her entire life. After a robbery gone wrong, she was incarcerated under the name she grew up with in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. While in prison, she embraced her identity as Carlotta, but authorities rejected this, keeping her in an all-male cell block where she faced abuse and solitary confinement. Finally, in her fifth appearance before the parole board, Carlotta is granted conditional freedom and returns to a transformed New York City. Over the holiday weekend, she grapples with reconciling with her estranged son, navigating a family hesitant to accept her true identity, and avoiding any minor parole violations that could send her back to prison. Written with remarkable verve, the novel takes readers through the streets of Brooklyn, reminiscent of Joyce’s Ulysses through Dublin. It delivers an entertaining narrative filled with unforgettable characters while confronting the injustices of a prison system that punishes individuals long after their sentences are served.

Exploring the complexities of morality and the human experience, this narrative offers a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into a character's internal battle to make ethical choices. Through a blend of wit and vulnerability, the story delves into the challenges of navigating life's dilemmas, highlighting the universal struggle to balance personal desires with a sense of responsibility. The journey promises to resonate with readers, inviting them to reflect on their own choices and the intricacies of doing what is right.