The Other Americans is a beautifully written and thoughtfully executed novel about a black elite family. The Dessommes family ancestry dates back to the underworld of the French Quarter who, over time, amassed great wealth for their family that began with one hotel in Atlanta, which morphed over time to The Dessommes Group.

They were "elite". They moved in all the right circles but this family was MESSYYYYYYYYY!! I read this book almost in one sitting because it is full of so much page-turning drama and trauma, I only put it down to go to bed.

What's does it have in it? Colorism, social stratification, the duality of the black elite in America, mental health, and even an attempted sexual assault (it isn't gruesome in description) of a woman by her own brother!

There's Jillian Dessommes who was the one attacked by her brother and she inflicts pain on herself to try and numb the pain of not only her brother, but her mother who reminds her at every turn that she never wanted to have Jillian.

There's Addison, Jillian and Vinces' mother, who just needs to be thrown away! She has absolutely no redeeming qualities at all! The woman is straight evil.

There's Vince, who also needs to be thrown away. He's a great business man. But he's also a manipulative, violent, and calculating monster.

Aaliyah, who is not a part of the elite circles, who has come from Trinidad and worked hard at her job, putting in long hours, only to be passed over for a promotion for the millionth time.

There are who I call the terror twins, Paige and Pia, who are snooty ass twins with huge entitlement chips on their shoulders.

See what I mean? Drama! And I loved every minute of it!

If you are looking for some good book drama, The Other Americans has it!