60 pages • 2 hours read
Jason MottHell of a Book
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott intertwines the stories of a young Black boy named Soot in rural North Carolina, whose parents teach him to become invisible for safety, and an unnamed Black author on a book tour, struggling with grief, hallucinations, and memory loss. Sensitive topics in the novel include anti-Black police violence and mental illness.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Hell of a Book by Jason Mott has been widely praised for its innovative narrative structure and poignant exploration of race and identity. Readers appreciate Mott's blending of humor and gravity, although some find the non-linear storyline challenging. Overall, it’s hailed as a profound and timely piece, despite occasional difficulty in following the plot.
Who Should Read Hell of a Book?
Readers who appreciate introspective, metafictional narratives like Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison or The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz will enjoy Hell of a Book by Jason Mott. This novel combines humor, tragedy, and a profound exploration of racial identity, making it compelling for those interested in complex, thought-provoking stories.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Race / Racism
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Magical Realism
Values/Ideas: Literature
Natural World: Appearance & Reality
Identity: Race