Fueled by tomato sandwiches and green milkshakes, and obsessed with cars, Philbet struggles with life and love as a gay, physically-misshapen boy in rural Georgia.
He’s happiest when helping Grandaddy dig potatoes from the vegetable garden that connects their houses. But Philbet’s world is shattered and his resilience shaken by events that crush his innocence and sense of security; expose his physical deformity skillfully hidden behind shirts Mama makes for him on her Singer; and convinces him that he’s not fit to be loved by Knox, the older boy he idolizes to distraction.
Over time, Philbet finds refuge in unexpected places and inner strength in unexpected ways, leading to a resolution from beyond the grave.
"The only way was to caress their painted skin, running my finger along the curve of a chromed bumper or the loop of a door handle, letting the car know that I wanted to give it the gift of my cool hand during a Georgia-hot summer afternoon.”
"The only way was to caress their painted skin, running my finger along the curve of a chromed bumper or the loop of a door handle, letting the car know that I wanted to give it the gift of my cool hand during a Georgia-hot summer afternoon.”
A portion of all book proceeds are donated to:
The Trevor Project works towards building a safer, more inclusive world for LQBTQ young people: a world where all LGBTQ young people see a bright future for themselves.
Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, supports the mental health of young people and works with them to build a kinder and braver world.
“When moist, it had the texture of silken butter, but when the beating Georgia sun leached it of moisture, it was either hard or powdery, slippery even in the heat, feeling almost liquid against skin. That was the alchemy of red clay.”
Red Clay Suzie has been chosen as a longlist finalist for The Center for Fiction 2023 First Novel Prize. The twenty-five debut novels were selected from over 160 submitted titles with U.S. publication dates between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.