My Monticello is an absolutely stunning debut collection of short fiction about race, place, home and family, all set in Virginia. The titular novella, about a group of mostly racialized people hiding out at Jefferson's historic plantation after environmental and societal collapse, has big Octavia Butler [b:Parable of the Sower|52397|Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1)|Octavia E. Butler|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442169447l/52397._SY75_.jpg|59258] energy, and I say that in the best sense of the comparison. It's emotional, beautiful and terrifying, showing both the gravity of the situation confronting our world and the potential for love and solidarity.

Johnson also includes five short stories, including the acclaimed "Control Negro," about a Black professor who detachedly observes his son from birth, as a subject of his research on racial privilege. Other stories like "The King of Xandria" are more about painting a portrait of contemporary life and illuminating the way it is stratified by race, gender and class.

Halfway through 2022 I know already this will be on my top reads for the year.