These Ghosts Are Family: A Novel

These Ghosts Are Family is a debut novel that explores the consequences of a man faking his own death and stealing his best friend's identity. The novel follows the Paisley family from colonial Jamaica to present-day Harlem, exploring the ways each character wrestles with their ghosts and struggles to forge independent identities outside of the family and their trauma.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Longlisted for the 2020 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, "These Ghosts Are Family" is a captivating debut novel that delves into the intricate dynamics of a Jamaican family, spanning generations, reminiscent of Yaa Gyasi's "Homegoing."

An Entertainment Weekly, Millions, and LitHub Most Anticipated Book of 2020 Pick, as well as Buzz Magazine's Top New Book of the New Decade, Stanford Solomon's astonishing thirty-year-old secret is about to upend the lives of everyone around him. Stanford has accomplished the unthinkable—he has faked his own death and stolen the identity of his closest friend. Stanford Solomon is, in fact, Abel Paisley.

As he nears the end of his life, Stanford is about to reunite with his firstborn daughter, Irene Paisley, a home health aide who has unwittingly arrived for her first day of work, assuming her father is deceased.

At the heart of "These Ghosts Are Family" lies the consequences of Abel's decision and the captivating story of the Paisley family, tracing their roots from colonial Jamaica to present-day Harlem.

Meet Vera, a widow forced into the role of a single mother, raising two daughters and a granddaughter who are unaware of their familial connection. Alongside them are individuals like the houseboy who loved Vera, whose lives might have taken different paths if not for Abel Paisley's actions.

This "rich and layered story" (Kirkus Reviews) delves into the profound struggles of each character as they navigate the complexities of their past and strive to forge independent identities outside of the confines of their family and their trauma. The result is a "beguiling…vividly drawn, and compelling" (BookPage, starred review) portrayal of a family and individuals caught in the sweeping tides of history, slavery, migration, and the more personal dramas of infidelity, loss, and redemption.

Through its vivid prose and intricate characterizations, "These Ghosts Are Family" offers a profound exploration of the human experience, reminding us of the enduring power of family, resilience, and the pursuit of personal truth.

Weight: 228g
Dimension: 135 x 203 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982117443