The New Naturals

Here is a summary of the book:
The New Naturals is a novel by Ernest J. Gaines that explores the idea of creating an underground utopia. Rio, a young Black woman, is bereft after the loss of her newborn child and convinces her husband to help her construct a society underground, somewhere safe, loved, and accepted. The novel follows the journey of two unhoused men, a young journalist, and a former soccer player who are drawn to the utopia. However, the question remains whether the society can work and save them from the existential dread of life above the surface. The book is praised for its fresh and perceptive portrayal of life in the 21st century and its exploration of love and connection to each other as a means of salvation.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Workman Publishing

A touching, timely novel by the acclaimed author of Everywhere You Don't Belong, The New Naturals is a tour de force that Publishers Weekly has called wry and astonishing. Set in an abandoned restaurant on a hill off the highway in Western Massachusetts, the novel follows Rio, a young Black woman who is bereft after the loss of her newborn child. Determined to create an underground utopia where everyone can feel loved, wanted, and accepted, Rio convinces her husband to help her construct a society where children learn actual history, everyone has an equal shot, and the existential dread of life above the surface is replaced with meaning and sanctuary.

As Rio's utopia begins to take shape, she attracts the attention of a Benefactor, who provides the necessary resources to make it a reality. Two unhoused men, hearing about the society, embark on a journey by bus from Chicago to join it. A young and disillusioned journalist stumbles upon it and is drawn in. A former soccer player, having lost his footing in society, is persuaded to check it out as well.

However, as the society grows and evolves, questions arise about its sustainability. Can it truly work? What happens if it fails? These are the questions that keep the characters on edge as they navigate the complexities of their new lives.

The New Naturals is a remarkable feat of imagination that captures the absurdity of life in the 21st century. It is fresh and deeply perceptive, resonating with readers of Paul Beatty's The Sellout and Jennifer Egan's The Candy House. With its interwoven stories and thought-provoking themes, The New Naturals is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted and compelling novel.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 147 x 217 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781616208806