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Acts of Forgiveness
In this stirring, tender-hearted debut about ambition and inheritance, a family grapples with how much of their lineage they’re willing to unearth in order to participate in the nation’s first federal reparations program.
Every American waits with bated breath to see whether or not the country’s first female president will pass the Forgiveness Act. The bill would allow Black families to claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are the descendants of slaves and for ambitious single mother Willie Revel the bill could be a long-awaited form of redemption. A decade ago, Willie gave up her burgeoning journalism career to help run her father’s struggling construction company in Philadelphia and she has reluctantly put family first without being able to forget who she might have become. Now, she's back living with her parents and her young daughter while trying to keep her family from going into bankruptcy. Could the Forgiveness Act uncover her forgotten roots while also helping save their beloved home and her father’s life work?
In order to qualify, she must first prove that the Revels are descended from slaves, but the rest of the family isn’t as eager to dig up the past. Her mother is adopted; her father doesn't trust the government and believes working with a morally corrupt employer is the better way to save their business; and her daughter is just trying to make it through the fifth grade at her elite private school without attracting unwanted attention. It’s up to Willie to verify their ancestry and save her family—but as she delves into their history, Willie begins to learn just how complicated family and forgiveness can be.
With powerful insight and moving prose, Acts of Forgiveness asks how history shapes who we become and to consider the weight of success when it is achieved despite incredible odds—and ultimately what leaving behind a legacy truly means.
Every American waits with bated breath to see whether or not the country’s first female president will pass the Forgiveness Act. The bill would allow Black families to claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are the descendants of slaves and for ambitious single mother Willie Revel the bill could be a long-awaited form of redemption. A decade ago, Willie gave up her burgeoning journalism career to help run her father’s struggling construction company in Philadelphia and she has reluctantly put family first without being able to forget who she might have become. Now, she's back living with her parents and her young daughter while trying to keep her family from going into bankruptcy. Could the Forgiveness Act uncover her forgotten roots while also helping save their beloved home and her father’s life work?
In order to qualify, she must first prove that the Revels are descended from slaves, but the rest of the family isn’t as eager to dig up the past. Her mother is adopted; her father doesn't trust the government and believes working with a morally corrupt employer is the better way to save their business; and her daughter is just trying to make it through the fifth grade at her elite private school without attracting unwanted attention. It’s up to Willie to verify their ancestry and save her family—but as she delves into their history, Willie begins to learn just how complicated family and forgiveness can be.
With powerful insight and moving prose, Acts of Forgiveness asks how history shapes who we become and to consider the weight of success when it is achieved despite incredible odds—and ultimately what leaving behind a legacy truly means.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2024
156 people are currently reading
23369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
January 6, 2025
Really interesting premise with some shaky execution. In Acts of Forgiveness, Maura Cheeks explores an alternate world in which reparations are granted and Black families in the United States can claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are the descendants of enslaved people. The novel does a nice job of centering themes of what racial justice and forgiveness actually look like, the intersection of race and class, and how our personal ambitions are tempered by oppression and reality.
While the novel addresses an extremely important topic, I felt that it struggled to find a balance between being more literary fiction and character-driven and exploring the alternate reality brought to life by Cheeks. There was some development on both sides though I wish there had been more robust characterization or an even stronger commitment to seeing through what the Forgiveness Act would entail. I could see this book raising some interesting discussion though!
While the novel addresses an extremely important topic, I felt that it struggled to find a balance between being more literary fiction and character-driven and exploring the alternate reality brought to life by Cheeks. There was some development on both sides though I wish there had been more robust characterization or an even stronger commitment to seeing through what the Forgiveness Act would entail. I could see this book raising some interesting discussion though!
March 31, 2024
A solid premise the execution was very shaky
The book opens with tension as the characters wait to hear whether the US first female president will pass the Forgiveness Act. With this act, Black families can claim up to $175,000 if they can prove that they are descendants of slaves or had land stolen from them. What happens in the book is a exploration of how the Act affects Willie and her family.
Willie Revel and her family grew up well off but never sheltered from racism. She loves her family and her dream was to be a part of the construction company, that’s until she decided to become a journalist. After a one-night stand she becomes pregnant, moves back home raise her daughter with her family and work in the business. The business is struggling and this forgiveness act can help them stay afloat. In order to cash in on the act Millie goes digging into her family’s history- she finds how complicated family dynamics can be.
Honestly, this book felt so flat for me. I think the execution was not great, I wanted to have more of a deep dive on how the Forgiveness Act changed things, or didn’t change anything. While I enjoyed Willie’s back story, I wanted more about what happened after the act and I did not get that. Also the book is called, “ACTS OF FORGIVENESS” and little was explored with that.
Fair attempt I guess.
The book opens with tension as the characters wait to hear whether the US first female president will pass the Forgiveness Act. With this act, Black families can claim up to $175,000 if they can prove that they are descendants of slaves or had land stolen from them. What happens in the book is a exploration of how the Act affects Willie and her family.
Willie Revel and her family grew up well off but never sheltered from racism. She loves her family and her dream was to be a part of the construction company, that’s until she decided to become a journalist. After a one-night stand she becomes pregnant, moves back home raise her daughter with her family and work in the business. The business is struggling and this forgiveness act can help them stay afloat. In order to cash in on the act Millie goes digging into her family’s history- she finds how complicated family dynamics can be.
Honestly, this book felt so flat for me. I think the execution was not great, I wanted to have more of a deep dive on how the Forgiveness Act changed things, or didn’t change anything. While I enjoyed Willie’s back story, I wanted more about what happened after the act and I did not get that. Also the book is called, “ACTS OF FORGIVENESS” and little was explored with that.
Fair attempt I guess.
February 7, 2024
Acts of Forgiveness will undoubtedly be on a lot of people’s ’Best of’ lists in 2024. This account of what could be, dreams deferred, and the forgiveness it takes to realize those dreams is one that will sit with me for years.
Everyone waits with baited breath to see if the first female president will pass The Forgiveness Act—granting each descendant of slavery in the US over the age of 18 $175,000. We follow the main character Willie and her family through their journey of forgiving the country and each other.
I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of Acts of Forgiveness after reading the brief description. As a Black American, the conversation around reparations is one that we hear tossed around time and time again and seeing how it might actually play out was eye-opening. But what stole the show was the family story Cheeks’ told about the Revels.
Taking us from Philly to the Deep South, we follow Willie as she navigates being the Privileged Black Girl, The Only Black Girl, The Black Single Mother, The Angry Black Woman, and more. Willie learns the power of forgiveness within herself and her family in addition to how to forgive on behalf of and for others. We also get a look into the meaning of legacy with the Revel family business and how being Black in America can often feel like one step forward means two steps backwards.
This book made me laugh, cry, and feel an immense sense of pride to be a Black American in this country. A fantastic debut for Maura Cheeks and I can’t wait for everyone to be talking about this book. Thank you Random House and Ballantine Books for my advanced copy. Acts of Forgiveness is out February 13, 2024.
Everyone waits with baited breath to see if the first female president will pass The Forgiveness Act—granting each descendant of slavery in the US over the age of 18 $175,000. We follow the main character Willie and her family through their journey of forgiving the country and each other.
I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of Acts of Forgiveness after reading the brief description. As a Black American, the conversation around reparations is one that we hear tossed around time and time again and seeing how it might actually play out was eye-opening. But what stole the show was the family story Cheeks’ told about the Revels.
Taking us from Philly to the Deep South, we follow Willie as she navigates being the Privileged Black Girl, The Only Black Girl, The Black Single Mother, The Angry Black Woman, and more. Willie learns the power of forgiveness within herself and her family in addition to how to forgive on behalf of and for others. We also get a look into the meaning of legacy with the Revel family business and how being Black in America can often feel like one step forward means two steps backwards.
This book made me laugh, cry, and feel an immense sense of pride to be a Black American in this country. A fantastic debut for Maura Cheeks and I can’t wait for everyone to be talking about this book. Thank you Random House and Ballantine Books for my advanced copy. Acts of Forgiveness is out February 13, 2024.
February 12, 2024
Wilhelmina “Willie” Revel is the daughter of Max and Lourdes. When Max's construction company becomes a success, the family moves a few miles away to a more upscale suburban Philadelphia neighborhood. Willie is sent to a private school where she is the only Black student. While she started out to become a journalist, Willie returns to her family's home after a promising start in her career, when she is needed in the family business. Years later, female President Elizabeth Johnson, a descendant of Andrew Johnson and also a former mentor to Willie, passes the Forgiveness Act. The government sets to pay $175,000 to people who can prove they were descendants of slaves. The country becomes divided on its fairness. Willie sets out to learn the history of her family as the reparation payments offer a chance to get the family back on its feet.
In an impressive debut, author Maura Cheeks tackles the subject of reparations in Acts of Forgiveness. Through the eyes of one family, it becomes clear that this is a complex topic. Not everyone is comfortable with Willie researching the family's roots. And not everyone agrees on the role the government should play in providing these payments. This is a moving, multigenerational family drama where the lives of the Revel family play out in various timelines and narratives while addressing racism and a hypothetical public policy.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books | Random House for the opportunity to read this touching book in advance.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
In an impressive debut, author Maura Cheeks tackles the subject of reparations in Acts of Forgiveness. Through the eyes of one family, it becomes clear that this is a complex topic. Not everyone is comfortable with Willie researching the family's roots. And not everyone agrees on the role the government should play in providing these payments. This is a moving, multigenerational family drama where the lives of the Revel family play out in various timelines and narratives while addressing racism and a hypothetical public policy.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books | Random House for the opportunity to read this touching book in advance.
Rated 4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
July 19, 2024
Thank you to the author Maura Cheeks, publishers Ballentine Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of ACTS OF FORGIVENESS. All views are mine.
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This book visits some really important themes that I wish fiction explored more, like EPA disasters that injure socially vulnerable populations. This book is in part about school children contracting lead poisoning from their public schools.
2. This 12-year-old character is unrealistically logical, but she's still believably youthful. She offers to kidnap her friend–who is to pack herself into a suitcase–and bring her home to live, as a possible solution to homesickness. Because 12 year olds. She also dreams of running an engineering firm in NYC almost purely so she can have a fancy home and live close to great shopping and dining. Still pretty childlike, as a motivation for life plans. But she's logical enough to recognize she isn't taken seriously as a female student– and that she must change both her goal and her methods to achieve it. And so, we have a reasonably believable 12 year old investigative journalist. It's fascinating character work.
3. I love what Cheeks does with the Forgiveness Act subplot. In her like-real-world fictional universe, the US government has paid reparations to black Americans for the losses they have experienced as a result of slavery and racism. The author presents and explores many possible ramifications of such an event, from the wonderful to the expected to the ironic to the wildly unpredictable.
4. This is also a story about fathers and daughters, or men and women, more generally: Women can’t work in construction used to be his unspoken but strongly held belief , and now that he had changed his mind, she was supposed to forget he had ever made her feel that way. He waved his hand and watched her leave. Loc.1264
5. The interviews that break up the form is an excellent stylistic choice.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot drags a little in the middle, where the narrative explains the finer points of the Forgiveness Act.
Rating: 📜📜📜📜.5 / 5 legal acts
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Feb 12 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
📚 contemporary fiction
👩🏾🦱 race and racism
💵 reparations
⛓️ slavery
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. This book visits some really important themes that I wish fiction explored more, like EPA disasters that injure socially vulnerable populations. This book is in part about school children contracting lead poisoning from their public schools.
2. This 12-year-old character is unrealistically logical, but she's still believably youthful. She offers to kidnap her friend–who is to pack herself into a suitcase–and bring her home to live, as a possible solution to homesickness. Because 12 year olds. She also dreams of running an engineering firm in NYC almost purely so she can have a fancy home and live close to great shopping and dining. Still pretty childlike, as a motivation for life plans. But she's logical enough to recognize she isn't taken seriously as a female student– and that she must change both her goal and her methods to achieve it. And so, we have a reasonably believable 12 year old investigative journalist. It's fascinating character work.
3. I love what Cheeks does with the Forgiveness Act subplot. In her like-real-world fictional universe, the US government has paid reparations to black Americans for the losses they have experienced as a result of slavery and racism. The author presents and explores many possible ramifications of such an event, from the wonderful to the expected to the ironic to the wildly unpredictable.
4. This is also a story about fathers and daughters, or men and women, more generally: Women can’t work in construction used to be his unspoken but strongly held belief , and now that he had changed his mind, she was supposed to forget he had ever made her feel that way. He waved his hand and watched her leave. Loc.1264
5. The interviews that break up the form is an excellent stylistic choice.
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. The plot drags a little in the middle, where the narrative explains the finer points of the Forgiveness Act.
Rating: 📜📜📜📜.5 / 5 legal acts
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Feb 12 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
📚 contemporary fiction
👩🏾🦱 race and racism
💵 reparations
⛓️ slavery
February 19, 2024
This one was a bit of a bait-and-switch to me. It's marketed as a satirical parable about what would happen if black people actually received reparations, but most of it's story is taken up by so many side plots and dangling, unresolved story threads that the book barely explores its central concept.
Today, the question of reparations is still very polarizing as leadership in both political parties (despite this book's suggestion that it has support among elected Democrats) view it as a largely fringe policy position.This means that for it to pass, public opinion needed to have shifted tremendously.
How? Was it a movement that led the charge? Can a president be elected on such a platform if it is not supported by her campaign donors? The book doesn't really bother to state how the political concensus on this issue shifted so dramatically, given the well-known corporate influence on the American political process. If the elites don't favor reparations for black people (and they don't in the U.S.), it is not happening outside of some seismic political shift.
It was a major blown opportunity to show the process of this political shift as it offered an abundance of opportunities to explore the subject from various perspectives, from inside the beltway to the media.
But that aside, once the Forgiveness Act is passed and reparations are granted (with admittedly accurate bureaucratic red tape), the book becomes a Finding Your Roots episode with characters tracking down their former slave relatives with little analysis on what the moment means to the community as a whole. There are protests opposing the policy, but they are quickly extinguished in a line of dialogue about how they burned out eventually, and they have no real impact on the story.
It also bothered me that the book ends on an award ceremony rather than a needed denouement about how black lives changed in the months that followed the reimbursements.
Acts of Forgiveness means well and has a strong writing style, but its refusal to commit to its central thesis makes it a big disappointment.
Today, the question of reparations is still very polarizing as leadership in both political parties (despite this book's suggestion that it has support among elected Democrats) view it as a largely fringe policy position.This means that for it to pass, public opinion needed to have shifted tremendously.
How? Was it a movement that led the charge? Can a president be elected on such a platform if it is not supported by her campaign donors? The book doesn't really bother to state how the political concensus on this issue shifted so dramatically, given the well-known corporate influence on the American political process. If the elites don't favor reparations for black people (and they don't in the U.S.), it is not happening outside of some seismic political shift.
It was a major blown opportunity to show the process of this political shift as it offered an abundance of opportunities to explore the subject from various perspectives, from inside the beltway to the media.
But that aside, once the Forgiveness Act is passed and reparations are granted (with admittedly accurate bureaucratic red tape), the book becomes a Finding Your Roots episode with characters tracking down their former slave relatives with little analysis on what the moment means to the community as a whole. There are protests opposing the policy, but they are quickly extinguished in a line of dialogue about how they burned out eventually, and they have no real impact on the story.
It also bothered me that the book ends on an award ceremony rather than a needed denouement about how black lives changed in the months that followed the reimbursements.
Acts of Forgiveness means well and has a strong writing style, but its refusal to commit to its central thesis makes it a big disappointment.
February 7, 2024
This was an interesting debut novel that imagines an America in which a Forgiveness Act is passed which allows Black families to claim up to $175,000 if they can prove they are descended from slaves.
Focused on the ways in which this affects one particular family, this was a fascinating exploration about the implications of what such an Act could mean in terms of helping heal past wrongs or incite further racial divides.
I also really loved how much emphasis there was on researching family genealogy and how difficult it was for descendants of slaves due to the nature of the records (ie lack thereof).
Good on audio and definitely the mark of an author to watch in the future. This would make an excellent book club book, sure to spark fruitful discussions!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Focused on the ways in which this affects one particular family, this was a fascinating exploration about the implications of what such an Act could mean in terms of helping heal past wrongs or incite further racial divides.
I also really loved how much emphasis there was on researching family genealogy and how difficult it was for descendants of slaves due to the nature of the records (ie lack thereof).
Good on audio and definitely the mark of an author to watch in the future. This would make an excellent book club book, sure to spark fruitful discussions!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
February 16, 2024
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars. i enjoyed the author's writing on a line to line basis and definitely see a lot of potential in future works.
my biggest issue is how half-baked this incredibly compelling premise turned out :-( not once did i feel fully immersed in this story, and even worse, in the characters. there is so much good here - the social commentary is biting and the entire idea of government approved reparations don't seem outlandish or silly in this story. HOWEVER - i thought it was going to be a major focus and it just wasn't. i just needed a lot more for this to really hit.
my biggest issue is how half-baked this incredibly compelling premise turned out :-( not once did i feel fully immersed in this story, and even worse, in the characters. there is so much good here - the social commentary is biting and the entire idea of government approved reparations don't seem outlandish or silly in this story. HOWEVER - i thought it was going to be a major focus and it just wasn't. i just needed a lot more for this to really hit.
August 22, 2024
Somewhere between a 3 and a 4! Sort of slow and veered in a direction I wasn’t expecting — this is more a book about unearthing your family history than it is about the politics of reparations?
April 15, 2024
The propelling event in "Acts of Forgiveness" is the Forgiveness Act; the first American federal reparations program to compensate descendants of slavery. Unsurprisingly, it is an emotionally charged and a politically and logistically complex behemoth.
We follow four generations of the Revels, deservedly proud to be business owners and the first black family to live in their desirable neighborhood. But, times are tough and there are difficult decisions to be made. The money from the Forgiveness Act might be the answer, if they are willing to excavate their family history.
Overall, this debut novel has an interesting storyline and characters, but I found it a bit too on the nose and preachy. It gets a solid 3* from me. I look forward to Maura Cheeks next offering.
I received a drc from the publisher via NetGalley.
We follow four generations of the Revels, deservedly proud to be business owners and the first black family to live in their desirable neighborhood. But, times are tough and there are difficult decisions to be made. The money from the Forgiveness Act might be the answer, if they are willing to excavate their family history.
Overall, this debut novel has an interesting storyline and characters, but I found it a bit too on the nose and preachy. It gets a solid 3* from me. I look forward to Maura Cheeks next offering.
I received a drc from the publisher via NetGalley.
April 4, 2025
In her masterful debut novel, Maura Cheeks weaves a narrative that is both timely and timeless. Acts of Forgiveness navigates the complex terrain of family dynamics, racial identity, and national responsibility through the eyes of Willie Revel, a woman caught between ambition and obligation. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a groundbreaking legislative proposal—the Forgiveness Act—which would provide financial reparations to Black Americans who can prove they descended from enslaved people.
Cheeks has crafted a narrative that feels startlingly prescient yet deeply personal. As our country continues to wrestle with questions of historical accountability and racial justice, this novel examines what happens when abstract policy debates collide with intimate family histories.
Family as Both Anchor and Burden
At its core, Acts of Forgiveness is a family saga that spans four generations of the Revel family. Willie, a former journalist who sacrificed her promising career to help run her father's struggling construction company, finds herself caught in the undertow of family obligation. Now living with her parents in their Philadelphia home with her daughter Paloma, Willie's life is defined by compromise and responsibility rather than the ambition that once drove her.
Cheeks renders the Revel family with nuanced complexity. Max, Willie's father, built his construction company from nothing, defying systemic barriers to become a respected businessman. His wife Lourdes, adopted as a child, has fashioned her identity around their home at 512 Lewaro Street—a haven she meticulously maintains as a symbol of their hard-won success. Willie's brother Seb has pursued his own path, while her grandfather Marcus carries silent burdens from a past he rarely discusses.
What makes Acts of Forgiveness particularly compelling is how Cheeks portrays family as both a source of strength and limitation. When Willie embarks on a journey to trace her ancestral roots to qualify for Forgiveness Act funds, she confronts not only historical trauma but also the complicated inheritance of her family's expectations and sacrifices.
The Weight of History in Everyday Life
The novel excels in showing how history is never merely past but continually shapes present realities. As Willie digs through records in Mississippi archives, she uncovers painful truths about her ancestors—including her great-great-grandfather Hemp, who was born to an enslaved woman named Alice and fathered by a white slaveowner.
These discoveries mirror contemporary challenges. The Revels face financial hardship despite their middle-class status. Their construction company struggles to secure clients who oppose reparations. They witness violence against Black Americans continuing even as the nation debates making amends for historical injustices.
Cheeks skillfully illustrates how systemic inequality persists across generations, often in evolving forms. Max's difficulty obtaining bank loans echoes Marcus's inability to secure VA benefits after fighting for his country. Willie's path to success is blocked by both external barriers and internal pressure to maintain family security.
Identity and Belonging
Throughout the novel, characters grapple with questions of identity. Eleven-year-old Paloma navigates being the only Black girl in her grade at an elite private school while wondering about the father she's never known. Lourdes, adopted and disconnected from her origins, finds anchoring in creating a perfect home. Willie struggles to reconcile her journalistic ambitions with family responsibilities.
The search for genealogical records becomes a metaphor for broader questions of belonging and selfhood. As Willie discovers her ancestor Emmie Barrow, a pioneering Black female journalist, she finds both inspiration and unsettling parallels to her own thwarted career.
Particularly moving is how Cheeks explores the tension between knowing and not knowing one's history. She portrays both the pain of confronting difficult truths and the healing that can come from reclaiming erased narratives.
Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
The novel's greatest strength lies in its multidimensional characters who defy easy categorization. Max can be simultaneously dismissive of his daughter's ambitions and desperately devoted to his family's security. Willie's resentment at sacrificing her career coexists with genuine love for her family. These contradictions feel truthful and human.
Cheeks also brilliantly captures setting—from the historically charged streets of Jackson, Mississippi, to the changing neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Her prose is elegant without being showy, often achieving a quiet poignancy:
"The journey from dependability to accountability is incredibly short in a family business. She was looking at the distance in numbers."
If the novel has weaknesses, they occasionally appear in pacing. Some revelations surrounding Willie's genealogical search feel slightly rushed in their resolution, particularly given the tension built around them. Additionally, certain secondary characters—especially those in Willie's professional sphere—sometimes lack the same dimensional development granted to the Revel family members.
A Nuanced Exploration of Reparations
What distinguishes Acts of Forgiveness from many novels addressing racial injustice is its willingness to engage with complexity rather than offering simple answers. The Forgiveness Act is portrayed neither as a perfect solution nor an empty gesture, but as an imperfect attempt at addressing historical wrongs.
Cheeks presents varied perspectives: Some Black Americans enthusiastically support reparations, others are skeptical, and still others oppose them altogether. The process of proving eligibility is shown as bureaucratically cumbersome, emotionally fraught, and often inaccessible to those who need assistance most.
This nuanced approach extends to how characters view the relationship between personal responsibility and systemic change. Max believes in building wealth through hard work despite discrimination, while his friend Roy embraces collective action. Willie vacillates between prioritizing individual opportunity and recognizing structural barriers.
Reaching Across Time and Experience
Acts of Forgiveness is remarkable for its emotional resonance across diverse experiences. Readers from various backgrounds will find entry points through:
- The universal struggle between personal dreams and family obligations
- The search for identity and connection to one's roots
- The tension between acknowledging past injustices and moving forward
- The complexities of parent-child relationships across generations
Cheeks accomplishes this accessibility without diluting the specific experiences of her Black characters. Their encounters with racism—from blatant violence to subtle microaggressions—are portrayed with unflinching clarity while maintaining their full humanity beyond these experiences.
Final Assessment
With Acts of Forgiveness, Maura Cheeks establishes herself as a significant literary voice, capable of addressing weighty societal issues while maintaining intimate emotional stakes. The novel succeeds because it positions large questions of historical responsibility within the context of one family's struggle to define itself across generations.
Some readers might wish for more explicit political commentary or a more conclusive stance on reparations. Others might find certain subplots resolved too neatly. However, these minor critiques don't diminish the novel's achievement in creating a thought-provoking, emotionally engaging exploration of history's ongoing impact on individual lives.
Acts of Forgiveness reminds us that national reckonings with injustice cannot be separated from personal reckonings with family, identity, and belonging. It suggests that forgiveness—whether between nations, communities, or family members—requires not just acknowledgment of harm but sustained commitment to repair.
Cheeks has crafted a narrative that feels startlingly prescient yet deeply personal. As our country continues to wrestle with questions of historical accountability and racial justice, this novel examines what happens when abstract policy debates collide with intimate family histories.
Family as Both Anchor and Burden
At its core, Acts of Forgiveness is a family saga that spans four generations of the Revel family. Willie, a former journalist who sacrificed her promising career to help run her father's struggling construction company, finds herself caught in the undertow of family obligation. Now living with her parents in their Philadelphia home with her daughter Paloma, Willie's life is defined by compromise and responsibility rather than the ambition that once drove her.
Cheeks renders the Revel family with nuanced complexity. Max, Willie's father, built his construction company from nothing, defying systemic barriers to become a respected businessman. His wife Lourdes, adopted as a child, has fashioned her identity around their home at 512 Lewaro Street—a haven she meticulously maintains as a symbol of their hard-won success. Willie's brother Seb has pursued his own path, while her grandfather Marcus carries silent burdens from a past he rarely discusses.
What makes Acts of Forgiveness particularly compelling is how Cheeks portrays family as both a source of strength and limitation. When Willie embarks on a journey to trace her ancestral roots to qualify for Forgiveness Act funds, she confronts not only historical trauma but also the complicated inheritance of her family's expectations and sacrifices.
The Weight of History in Everyday Life
The novel excels in showing how history is never merely past but continually shapes present realities. As Willie digs through records in Mississippi archives, she uncovers painful truths about her ancestors—including her great-great-grandfather Hemp, who was born to an enslaved woman named Alice and fathered by a white slaveowner.
These discoveries mirror contemporary challenges. The Revels face financial hardship despite their middle-class status. Their construction company struggles to secure clients who oppose reparations. They witness violence against Black Americans continuing even as the nation debates making amends for historical injustices.
Cheeks skillfully illustrates how systemic inequality persists across generations, often in evolving forms. Max's difficulty obtaining bank loans echoes Marcus's inability to secure VA benefits after fighting for his country. Willie's path to success is blocked by both external barriers and internal pressure to maintain family security.
Identity and Belonging
Throughout the novel, characters grapple with questions of identity. Eleven-year-old Paloma navigates being the only Black girl in her grade at an elite private school while wondering about the father she's never known. Lourdes, adopted and disconnected from her origins, finds anchoring in creating a perfect home. Willie struggles to reconcile her journalistic ambitions with family responsibilities.
The search for genealogical records becomes a metaphor for broader questions of belonging and selfhood. As Willie discovers her ancestor Emmie Barrow, a pioneering Black female journalist, she finds both inspiration and unsettling parallels to her own thwarted career.
Particularly moving is how Cheeks explores the tension between knowing and not knowing one's history. She portrays both the pain of confronting difficult truths and the healing that can come from reclaiming erased narratives.
Strengths and Minor Shortcomings
The novel's greatest strength lies in its multidimensional characters who defy easy categorization. Max can be simultaneously dismissive of his daughter's ambitions and desperately devoted to his family's security. Willie's resentment at sacrificing her career coexists with genuine love for her family. These contradictions feel truthful and human.
Cheeks also brilliantly captures setting—from the historically charged streets of Jackson, Mississippi, to the changing neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Her prose is elegant without being showy, often achieving a quiet poignancy:
"The journey from dependability to accountability is incredibly short in a family business. She was looking at the distance in numbers."
If the novel has weaknesses, they occasionally appear in pacing. Some revelations surrounding Willie's genealogical search feel slightly rushed in their resolution, particularly given the tension built around them. Additionally, certain secondary characters—especially those in Willie's professional sphere—sometimes lack the same dimensional development granted to the Revel family members.
A Nuanced Exploration of Reparations
What distinguishes Acts of Forgiveness from many novels addressing racial injustice is its willingness to engage with complexity rather than offering simple answers. The Forgiveness Act is portrayed neither as a perfect solution nor an empty gesture, but as an imperfect attempt at addressing historical wrongs.
Cheeks presents varied perspectives: Some Black Americans enthusiastically support reparations, others are skeptical, and still others oppose them altogether. The process of proving eligibility is shown as bureaucratically cumbersome, emotionally fraught, and often inaccessible to those who need assistance most.
This nuanced approach extends to how characters view the relationship between personal responsibility and systemic change. Max believes in building wealth through hard work despite discrimination, while his friend Roy embraces collective action. Willie vacillates between prioritizing individual opportunity and recognizing structural barriers.
Reaching Across Time and Experience
Acts of Forgiveness is remarkable for its emotional resonance across diverse experiences. Readers from various backgrounds will find entry points through:
- The universal struggle between personal dreams and family obligations
- The search for identity and connection to one's roots
- The tension between acknowledging past injustices and moving forward
- The complexities of parent-child relationships across generations
Cheeks accomplishes this accessibility without diluting the specific experiences of her Black characters. Their encounters with racism—from blatant violence to subtle microaggressions—are portrayed with unflinching clarity while maintaining their full humanity beyond these experiences.
Final Assessment
With Acts of Forgiveness, Maura Cheeks establishes herself as a significant literary voice, capable of addressing weighty societal issues while maintaining intimate emotional stakes. The novel succeeds because it positions large questions of historical responsibility within the context of one family's struggle to define itself across generations.
Some readers might wish for more explicit political commentary or a more conclusive stance on reparations. Others might find certain subplots resolved too neatly. However, these minor critiques don't diminish the novel's achievement in creating a thought-provoking, emotionally engaging exploration of history's ongoing impact on individual lives.
Acts of Forgiveness reminds us that national reckonings with injustice cannot be separated from personal reckonings with family, identity, and belonging. It suggests that forgiveness—whether between nations, communities, or family members—requires not just acknowledgment of harm but sustained commitment to repair.
February 13, 2024
5 stars
This debut from Cheeks is a stunner. While the premise is remarkable and ambitious (and aspirational, obviously), the novel remains both understated and moving, and, well, this one really unexpectedly knocked my socks off.
The characters in this novel live in contemporary society but with an intriguing twist; they're in the midst of potentially passing the Forgiveness Act, which will provide each individual who can prove they have descended from an enslaved person a likely lifechanging amount of money. This money is intended to serve as a step toward forgiveness, not forgetting, and there is a lot of (appropriate) discussion about how this money can never right the wrongs of the past, but it can create some good will and some different possibilities for the future.
Coming into this novel, I anticipated a much more political and maybe even pedantic read, and transparently, these features are not at all off putting to me. What I got was so much more enriching that I expected: an intriguing character study not just of Willie, who is featured as a central character throughout, but also of many members of her family. And at its core, there's messaging about the importance of personal history, understanding one's roots, knowing and redefining a sense of place, and - my favorite - revealing the vital role of storytelling.
Once I started this novel, it was all I could think about during even brief moments when I was away from it. It resonated so much that I'm already considering teaching it during the upcoming term despite not knowing if it'll be available in local libraries for my students to access in a timely manner! Despite the logistics, this will be on one of my syllabi in the near future, and I will teach it, discuss it, and recommend it with enthusiasm for a long time to come.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and especially Jordan Hill Forney for this arc/widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This debut from Cheeks is a stunner. While the premise is remarkable and ambitious (and aspirational, obviously), the novel remains both understated and moving, and, well, this one really unexpectedly knocked my socks off.
The characters in this novel live in contemporary society but with an intriguing twist; they're in the midst of potentially passing the Forgiveness Act, which will provide each individual who can prove they have descended from an enslaved person a likely lifechanging amount of money. This money is intended to serve as a step toward forgiveness, not forgetting, and there is a lot of (appropriate) discussion about how this money can never right the wrongs of the past, but it can create some good will and some different possibilities for the future.
Coming into this novel, I anticipated a much more political and maybe even pedantic read, and transparently, these features are not at all off putting to me. What I got was so much more enriching that I expected: an intriguing character study not just of Willie, who is featured as a central character throughout, but also of many members of her family. And at its core, there's messaging about the importance of personal history, understanding one's roots, knowing and redefining a sense of place, and - my favorite - revealing the vital role of storytelling.
Once I started this novel, it was all I could think about during even brief moments when I was away from it. It resonated so much that I'm already considering teaching it during the upcoming term despite not knowing if it'll be available in local libraries for my students to access in a timely manner! Despite the logistics, this will be on one of my syllabi in the near future, and I will teach it, discuss it, and recommend it with enthusiasm for a long time to come.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and especially Jordan Hill Forney for this arc/widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
January 2, 2024
This is a book that will make you think long and hard about how to put things right.
Maura Cheeks has the unique ability to take a very serious and tragic situation, embed it into a fictional story that is bright, and filled with hope and the space that is needed.
In Acts Of Forgiveness, The Forgiveness Act is about to pass. The Bill will allot $175,000 to each African American that can proved to be descended from Slaves. While sounding very straightforward, the reality is anything but. The Revel family could surely use the money as they are slowly circling the financial drain but proving the history proves quite difficult. You see, documents on slavery are a bit harder to come by then you would guess. And there are plenty of entities and people that would like to make it even harder.
Follow Willie as she travels to the South to track down documents that her family sorely needs. Cheeks provides plenty of background so that the Revel family seems to be your own family by the end. I loved this story - a mental exercise in what would happen if America paid reparations.
#randomhouse #Actsofforgiveness #mauraCheeks
Maura Cheeks has the unique ability to take a very serious and tragic situation, embed it into a fictional story that is bright, and filled with hope and the space that is needed.
In Acts Of Forgiveness, The Forgiveness Act is about to pass. The Bill will allot $175,000 to each African American that can proved to be descended from Slaves. While sounding very straightforward, the reality is anything but. The Revel family could surely use the money as they are slowly circling the financial drain but proving the history proves quite difficult. You see, documents on slavery are a bit harder to come by then you would guess. And there are plenty of entities and people that would like to make it even harder.
Follow Willie as she travels to the South to track down documents that her family sorely needs. Cheeks provides plenty of background so that the Revel family seems to be your own family by the end. I loved this story - a mental exercise in what would happen if America paid reparations.
#randomhouse #Actsofforgiveness #mauraCheeks
January 29, 2024
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
A family grapples with their unknown lineage when a reparations law passes. I loved the exploration of "inheritance" or the lack thereof for Black Americans—including no generational wealth, missing parental figures, or fractured family history. The idea of a forgiveness act is fascinating, but I wish to have more character development and the aftermath of the reparations law.
A family grapples with their unknown lineage when a reparations law passes. I loved the exploration of "inheritance" or the lack thereof for Black Americans—including no generational wealth, missing parental figures, or fractured family history. The idea of a forgiveness act is fascinating, but I wish to have more character development and the aftermath of the reparations law.
March 16, 2024
Given the synopsis, I was overly thrilled about this book. But the story I read, didn’t live up to my expectations.
There were so many issues that were brought to our attention, yet they weren’t really addressed and those that were touched on were simply glossed over. I just could not connect with the characters and what they seemed to be going through.
To simply put it, there was no real depth to this novel making every struggle seem superficial.
There were so many issues that were brought to our attention, yet they weren’t really addressed and those that were touched on were simply glossed over. I just could not connect with the characters and what they seemed to be going through.
To simply put it, there was no real depth to this novel making every struggle seem superficial.
April 1, 2024
This book is exactly the kind of story that insantly captures my imagination. Very near-future sci-fi. In the author's note, Cheeks talks about how fiction is a good avenue for exploring something like how a reparations act would actually work. That's exactly how this little book reads: as an exploration of a hypothetical idea.
There are some aspects of the plot that I felt weren't fully developed such as the main character's mother and her own relationship with her daughter. Purely as a thought experiment, I think the book is very good. As a work of written art, it could be better.
The epilogue ties things up maybe a little too nicely and leaves the book feeling more surface than I was expecting it to be. I think if there was more emphasis on the family dynamics OR more emphasis on the politics, the book would have been stronger. As is, the book straddles the line between the two, leaving the story feeling unfinished.
There are some aspects of the plot that I felt weren't fully developed such as the main character's mother and her own relationship with her daughter. Purely as a thought experiment, I think the book is very good. As a work of written art, it could be better.
The epilogue ties things up maybe a little too nicely and leaves the book feeling more surface than I was expecting it to be. I think if there was more emphasis on the family dynamics OR more emphasis on the politics, the book would have been stronger. As is, the book straddles the line between the two, leaving the story feeling unfinished.
January 29, 2024
Although a work of fiction, Acts of Forgiveness, tackles timely issues that have appeared in headlines and debates across America whenever the topic of Reparations or compensation to descendants of enslaved Africans surfaces in articles, blogs, talk shows, etc. The author creates tangible scenarios and when combined with a colorful cast representing differing political and socio-economic backgrounds, the reader can examine the many facets, schools of thought, and controversial aspects surrounding financial and other social benefits – including who exactly is entitled and to how much, how is heritage “proven,” and what about compensation/interest for lost assets due to intimidation, arson, theft, etc.
Each character represents aspects of (African) American experiences and the complications, pain, and challenges that each grapples with in this imagined world when the government attempts to right wrongs with financial payouts. This novel is layered and well-crafted – however, it only scratches the surface on the emotional and psychological impacts that a hypothetical Congressional Act of Forgiveness would bring forth. There is a lot to unpack and the topics therein would be excellent fodder for book club book discussions.
Thanks to the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
Each character represents aspects of (African) American experiences and the complications, pain, and challenges that each grapples with in this imagined world when the government attempts to right wrongs with financial payouts. This novel is layered and well-crafted – however, it only scratches the surface on the emotional and psychological impacts that a hypothetical Congressional Act of Forgiveness would bring forth. There is a lot to unpack and the topics therein would be excellent fodder for book club book discussions.
Thanks to the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.
January 18, 2024
The novel adopts a third-person point of view with a brisk pacing, in my opinion. I was so captivated by the characters that I found myself reading it whenever I had some free time. The book became a heavily highlighted and annotated treasure for me, prompting contemplation of my own experiences as a Black woman in America through Maura Cheeks' narrative.
Willie, portrayed as insightful and realistic, was effortlessly relatable. Observing her exploration of sacrifice, self-discovery, forgiveness, and power was both refreshing and beautiful. The depth of the themes—forgiveness, Black identity in America, selflessness, self-deprivation, Black womanhood, and lineage—left me yearning for a book club discussion. The communal exploration of these topics would have been truly Beautiful.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!
#ActsofForgiveness #Netgalley
Willie, portrayed as insightful and realistic, was effortlessly relatable. Observing her exploration of sacrifice, self-discovery, forgiveness, and power was both refreshing and beautiful. The depth of the themes—forgiveness, Black identity in America, selflessness, self-deprivation, Black womanhood, and lineage—left me yearning for a book club discussion. The communal exploration of these topics would have been truly Beautiful.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!
#ActsofForgiveness #Netgalley
August 20, 2024
This was a powerful idea with biting social ideas. I found the idea of reparations fascinating and the dollar amount shocking. I found the struggle of the family to track the lineage so touching. But this one was a bit bogged down in the past. We spent a lot of time juggling the family and I would have loved to have spent more time in the now and how this act affected the people. But there were so many good statements, so many good lines, this was a great audiobook! It made me think and struggle with the right answers.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 20, 2024
I was excited by the premise of this book, but it didn't wow me. It touched on so many important topics, but just grazed them. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, which probably didn't help me connect with the story. This was a miss for me. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 11, 2023
3.5 Stars- This is one of those novels that stays with you when you are done reading and really makes you think about the state of our society. This story follows the story of a black family who live in a white neighborhood and the trials and tribulations that they encounter. However there is more to it because the president in this book proposed to give $175,000 (forgiveness) for all families who can prove that they are descended from slaves. This is called the Forgiveness Act. As you can imagine this idea does not sit well with everyone.
This book was a fast read and raised many interesting points. I feel like I really learned from this book and understood why something like the Forgiveness Act would be necessary. However I wish there had been more about the family and their relationships. This felt more like a political novel than a fictional story. I wanted more about their lives and to understand what happened. The novel was well written and I think this would be especially good for Book Clubs. There was much to discuss after reading.
Thank you to Random House for this ARC.
This book was a fast read and raised many interesting points. I feel like I really learned from this book and understood why something like the Forgiveness Act would be necessary. However I wish there had been more about the family and their relationships. This felt more like a political novel than a fictional story. I wanted more about their lives and to understand what happened. The novel was well written and I think this would be especially good for Book Clubs. There was much to discuss after reading.
Thank you to Random House for this ARC.
April 2, 2024
What a brave undertaking to tackle the case for reparations as the underlying theme of this novel. Certainly that is a topic complex enough for its own book, but I think Cheeks is wise to make it only part of this novelś complexity. Issues of promise, forgiveness, self-determination and family dominate against the backdrop of slaveryś stain on our country. Also importantly, Cheeks introduces a wonderful, interesting family who faces all of these issues with heart and vulnerability and integrity. I am incredibly impressed.
Read
February 3, 2024This book is perfect for the times we currently live in. Acts of Forgiveness is about the US acknowledging and paying reparations to the families of slaves for the brutal conditions that slaves in the US had to live through. As divided and prejudiced as this country is, this book will be hailed for the subject matter by many readers, but may also be disregarded by many potential readers. I found this book to be interesting but slow going. I am appreciative of the digital ARC that I received from NetGalley and Ballantine Publishing. I was not coerced to give this review and it is my own opinion.
June 25, 2025
I think this was a beautifully done work of fiction that strongly argues the need for reparations and the realities of the reactions of Black and white people alike.
As a Black Caribbean-American woman, I believe all descendants of slavery deserve reparations. As a Black woman living in the U.S, Black Americans truly deserve monetary compensation for the systemic racism and oppression that has been going on in this country for generations. Saying sorry is NOT enough.
Thank you Maura Cheeks for writing this masterpiece! I think everyone needs to read this!
As a Black Caribbean-American woman, I believe all descendants of slavery deserve reparations. As a Black woman living in the U.S, Black Americans truly deserve monetary compensation for the systemic racism and oppression that has been going on in this country for generations. Saying sorry is NOT enough.
Thank you Maura Cheeks for writing this masterpiece! I think everyone needs to read this!
June 16, 2024
Incredible. Is this a first book? HOW?
My fiction tastes sway toward family drama with definitive character developments. I can’t believe how fast I read this. Consumed it?
I’m not a writer, and I’m not artistic. To position myself to review something like this - not even going to try.
♥️♥️ adored this novel.
My fiction tastes sway toward family drama with definitive character developments. I can’t believe how fast I read this. Consumed it?
I’m not a writer, and I’m not artistic. To position myself to review something like this - not even going to try.
♥️♥️ adored this novel.
April 14, 2025
I wanted to LOVE this book. The premise of the story, reparations given to folks with ancestors who were slaves, had so much promise. For me, the story fell flat. Perhaps there were too many sub plots, maybe it was the author's use of language and writing style or the rushed ending.
August 13, 2025
I thought I knew how this book was going to go from the little I'd heard about it, and I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong! I like that this book takes place in an in-between time for the titular act and focuses more on the vibes of that world and the world of the characters than on the act itself. It was a cool read that I would not have picked up but for book club, so, thanks, book club!
March 5, 2024
This was a really great, challenging, and thought-provoking book! The Revel family felt fully fleshed out and real- I felt like I could sit down with Willie and just talk for hours. I especially enjoyed the family dynamics and appreciated the nuanced look at how reparations could impact individuals and American society as a whole. Some parts of the story felt a bit rushed, but the ending and the glimpse of life in the epilogue was a real high note for me.
January 24, 2024
Acts of Forgiveness is a unique and powerful work of fiction. While I enjoyed the premise and the message of the story, the execution wasn’t quite on the same level. To start, the first 60-70% of the book, nothing happens. It’s mainly backstory and setup for what’s to come. I love a character driven novel, but I do wish the pace had picked up just a tad earlier. On the other end of the spectrum, the ending felt rushed to me. There is so much buildup to whether or not the Revel family will get the Forgiveness money, and then as soon as we find out, the book ends. I would have liked to have more details about the time immediately after. I also did not care for the romance subplot. I liked Jared as a character, but on the whole felt he was unnecessary to the story.
All that said, the idea for this book is incredibly novel and thought provoking, along with being beautifully written. While I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, I think anyone who enjoys slow paced, character focused books should add this to their TBR!
All that said, the idea for this book is incredibly novel and thought provoking, along with being beautifully written. While I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, I think anyone who enjoys slow paced, character focused books should add this to their TBR!
November 12, 2023
As I read this wonderful book, ACTS OF FORGIVENESS by Maura Cheeks, I thought continually about the wonderful implications of reparations made to African Americans in America, and the words, “We are sorry for the pain we have caused you and your people!” happening in the real world. That would be a glorious thing! This book is everything! Beautifully written, I felt every sentence! When you read this make sure you read the Author’s note. This is a must read!
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