Caul Baby: A Novel

In Morgan Jerkins' novel "Caul Baby," a young woman seeks the help of a powerful Harlem family known for their healing caul to become a mother, but when a deal falls through, her niece is born with a caul and delivered to the Melancons to raise as one of their own. The book explores themes of familial connection, tradition, and the dark corners of the human heart.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Caul Baby is a captivating novel by Morgan Jerkins, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author. This fiction debut transports readers into the heart of a powerful and enigmatic family, where secrets, betrayal, intrigue, and magic intertwine in a tale that will captivate fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Jacqueline Woodson.

Laila, a woman desperate to become a mother, has faced numerous heartbreaks in her past pregnancies. Determined to make this time different, she seeks the help of the Melancons, an old and powerful Harlem family renowned for their caul, a precious layer of skin that holds their healing power. However, when a deal to acquire a piece of caul falls through, Laila is devastated. But when her niece, Amara, delivers a stillborn baby, Laila is overcome with grief and rage. Little does she know that her niece will be delivered to the Melancons to be raised as one of their own.

Hallow, born with a caul, is a special child who holds the potential to restore the family's prosperity according to their matriarch, Maman. Growing up, Hallow feels that something is amiss in her life. She questions whether Josephine, the woman she calls mother, truly brought her into the world, and why her cousin Helena, who is confined to the family's decrepit brownstone, is allowed to roam the streets of New York freely. As the Melancons strive to maintain their status, Amara, now a successful lawyer running for district attorney, seeks revenge against the family for a long-standing grudge.

When mother and daughter cross paths, Hallow is forced to confront her true identity and decide where she truly belongs. Caul Baby is an engrossing, unique, and page-turning novel that delves into the search for familial connection, the enduring power of tradition, and the dark corners of the human heart. Jerkins' writing is vivid and evocative, drawing readers into the lives of the Melancons and their complex relationships. This is a must-read for anyone who loves literary fiction with a touch of magic and mystery.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 203 x 135 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780062873187