This Is Not a Ghost Story - by Amerie (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A beautiful and subversive take on the afterlife, as razor-sharp as it is deeply moving." --Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Amerie's dazzling, satirical adult debut tells the story of a Black man who walks into the light...to find himself in Los Angeles, where he becomes an instant celebrity for being the first visible and verifiable ghost.

John's House provides all he needs. Surrounded by a vast, beautiful ocean under a void of sky, the House is John's haven. He is alone, but never lonely; he is here now, but neither remembers nor longs for a before. In his House, John is safe and untroubled.

But then a terrible shadow creature breaks in--and it wants him out. Pushed from the House, John falls into the light...

And finds himself in modern-day Los Angeles, the first person to ever come back from the other side. Though he has no memory of his past life, or even how he died, everyone wants to know more about the Black man who has returned from the dead--is he the second coming? A hoax? Or something beyond explanation? Soon he has brand deals, TV interviews, and politicians aiming to use him for their agendas, yet all John wants is to go home.

But going home will require, most unfortunately, help. In search of a way back, John grudgingly joins forces with a mystic holding dubious qualifications, a hard-edged publicist bent on making him famous, and an aspiring actress who is unsettlingly familiar. With this ragtag band of allies, John begins a journey to find his House on the ocean--but getting there will prove more complicated than he imagined, for it will require not only trusting in someone other than himself, but will mean uncovering painful truths about who John was in life and, perhaps most difficult, who he must become.

A gorgeous, tender story of hope, sacrifice, and what it means to be human, This Is Not a Ghost Story introduces an astonishing new voice in literary fiction.

Review Quotes

"Is there anything Amerie can't do? Clearly not, because this novel is brilliant. A beautiful and subversive take on the afterlife, as razor-sharp as it is deeply moving. It's a fresh, thought-provoking exploration of fame, identity, and what it truly means to live." - Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

"[This is Not a Ghost Story] quite effectively demonstrates how fantasy can be used to amplify political and emotional concerns. ... Satisfying."

"[Amerie] crafts a captivating story that's not merely about ghosts and the living but about human desire, confronting one's own faults and misdeeds, and the healing power of friendship." - Library Journal (starred review)

"Sharp, satirical, and deeply resonant, This Is Not a Ghost Story cuts to the core of identity, race, and what it means to be seen in a world eager to capitalize on spectacle. With a voice as incisive as it is unrelenting, Amerie crafts a narrative that is both hauntingly surreal and bracingly human. Sly humor and hard truths immerse readers in this gripping meditation on visibility, power, and the fragile line between aspiration and exploitation--a stunning debut!" - Jonathan Escoffery, author of If I Survive You

"A compelling, thoughtful, and often funny meditation on identity, race, class, fame, and the afterlife. This bold debut novel offers a fresh and exciting take on 21st Century America. Amerie's singular voice shines like a beacon on a sea of sameness. Highly recommended!" - Ace Atkins, New York Times bestselling author of Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"This is Not a Ghost Story is a mind-bender and a mind-blower, a hugely original and entertaining exploration of grief, regret, ambition, and friendship. John is not (just) a ghost, but a singular main character who will live with you long after you finish the last page." - Lou Berney, Edgar Award-winning author of Dark Ride