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Goodbye, Sweetberry Park
Archie “God” Johnson—so known for his flowing white hair, voluminous beard, and larger-than-life persona—is a veteran Atlanta journalist of Nigerian and Scots-Irish descent. When his racist White grandfather dies and leaves him a dilapidated Victorian house in the mostly Black neighborhood—a final curse from beyond the grave—Johnson moves to Sweetberry Park. As it happens, his life will never be the same.
Distraught after a personal tragedy and still bleary from a long drug binge he used to cope, Johnson pulls himself together and rebuilds the Victorian, finds acceptance among his new neighbors, and attempts to pick up the shards of his newsgathering career. Meanwhile, his newly beloved Sweetberry Park is threatened to its very core—the target of greedy, deceptive developers who want to knock down and gentrify the historic neighborhood where civil rights hero Martin Luther King had been looked after as a child.
Just as tensions reach a boiling point, police report that a deranged employee at the famed Atlanta Memorial Zoo has unleashed seventeen of the world’s deadliest snakes into the leafy urban enclave. The entire city panics, unleashing chaos, an accidental shooting, and an unjust incarceration.
With the help of a reclusive former blues songstress and a zany cast of old friends and millennial newcomers, Johnson attempts to save the neighborhood that saved him—with hilarious, and rather dubious, results.
Distraught after a personal tragedy and still bleary from a long drug binge he used to cope, Johnson pulls himself together and rebuilds the Victorian, finds acceptance among his new neighbors, and attempts to pick up the shards of his newsgathering career. Meanwhile, his newly beloved Sweetberry Park is threatened to its very core—the target of greedy, deceptive developers who want to knock down and gentrify the historic neighborhood where civil rights hero Martin Luther King had been looked after as a child.
Just as tensions reach a boiling point, police report that a deranged employee at the famed Atlanta Memorial Zoo has unleashed seventeen of the world’s deadliest snakes into the leafy urban enclave. The entire city panics, unleashing chaos, an accidental shooting, and an unjust incarceration.
With the help of a reclusive former blues songstress and a zany cast of old friends and millennial newcomers, Johnson attempts to save the neighborhood that saved him—with hilarious, and rather dubious, results.
- GenresFiction
364 pages, Paperback
Published March 21, 2025
15 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Josh Green
3 books21 followersJosh Green is an award-winning journalist, fiction author, and editor whose work has appeared widely in magazines, journals, and anthologies. GOODBYE, SWEETBERRY PARK is his second novel (and hopefully, the funniest to date). It recently won the grand prize at the 2025 Hollywood Book Festival, and the New York Book Festival award for fiction.
SECRETS OF ASH, his first novel, won the IndieReader Discovery Awards (2024) for fiction and was a runner-up at the Hollywood Book Festival, among other honors. Green was also nominated as Georgia Author of the Year for that work.
His book of short stories, DIRTYVILLE RHAPSODIES, was hailed by Men's Health as a "Best Book for the Beach" and was named a top 10 book of the year by Atlanta. He lives with his wife and daughters in Atlanta.
SECRETS OF ASH, his first novel, won the IndieReader Discovery Awards (2024) for fiction and was a runner-up at the Hollywood Book Festival, among other honors. Green was also nominated as Georgia Author of the Year for that work.
His book of short stories, DIRTYVILLE RHAPSODIES, was hailed by Men's Health as a "Best Book for the Beach" and was named a top 10 book of the year by Atlanta. He lives with his wife and daughters in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 27, 2025
This is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read and it definitely took me a few chapters to really get into. I came across it in my neighborhood’s Little Free Library and picked it up just because I loved the cover tbh. It touches on several important and very relevant topics (gentrification, gun violence, systemic racism) in Atlanta and the author SOMEHOW also made the story whimsical and funny. The characters are lovable (yet deeply flawed), layered, and hilarious. Bravo Josh Green!!!!
May 4, 2025
"Goodbye, Sweetberry Park" by Josh Green is a compelling and suspenseful read.
God Johnson, a seasoned journalist from Atlanta, inherits a Victorian house from his late white grandfather. But his life takes a dramatic turn when he learns that Sweetberry Park—his now favorite neighborhood is under threat.
The city council is considering a historic preservation project in Sweetberry Park. Fifteen homes are currently part of the proposal, and owners have already accepted generous above-market offers. The developers claim it's a preservation effort, but in reality, they need a cleared stretch of land to move forward—leaving the community at risk of erasure.
Meanwhile, another strange and chilling subplot unfolds: Gerald McCaffrey, a zookeeper, has gone rogue, stealing seventeen of the world’s most venomous snakes—including the infamous black mamba and the giant anaconda. When Johnson calls The Atlanta Beacon, he's told the black mamba poses the most serious threat.
Can the snakes be captured before they wreak havoc? And what will Johnson do to protect his neighborhood?
The plot is riveting. Just imagining the terror of living blocks away from such deadly creatures sent shivers down my spine. The story is fast-paced, tense, and deeply engaging—I couldn’t put it down. Josh Green delivers a fantastic read. Don’t hesitate—this book is absolutely worth your time.
God Johnson, a seasoned journalist from Atlanta, inherits a Victorian house from his late white grandfather. But his life takes a dramatic turn when he learns that Sweetberry Park—his now favorite neighborhood is under threat.
The city council is considering a historic preservation project in Sweetberry Park. Fifteen homes are currently part of the proposal, and owners have already accepted generous above-market offers. The developers claim it's a preservation effort, but in reality, they need a cleared stretch of land to move forward—leaving the community at risk of erasure.
Meanwhile, another strange and chilling subplot unfolds: Gerald McCaffrey, a zookeeper, has gone rogue, stealing seventeen of the world’s most venomous snakes—including the infamous black mamba and the giant anaconda. When Johnson calls The Atlanta Beacon, he's told the black mamba poses the most serious threat.
Can the snakes be captured before they wreak havoc? And what will Johnson do to protect his neighborhood?
The plot is riveting. Just imagining the terror of living blocks away from such deadly creatures sent shivers down my spine. The story is fast-paced, tense, and deeply engaging—I couldn’t put it down. Josh Green delivers a fantastic read. Don’t hesitate—this book is absolutely worth your time.
June 17, 2025
Thank you so much to the author and @booktasters_ on Instagram for sharing a copy of this book with me !!!
“In the rivers of my deepest human self I just wanted someone there with me, a sounding board for my complaints, an ally in my panic, a landing spot for my love. Instead my only partner was the darkness, that deep and wicked darkness”
I’m not totally sure about how I feel right now. This book was funny in that ironic and black humour sort of way that it leaves you hanging around for a deeper meaning you’re not so sure you’ve grasped from it. A bunch of serpents left free from the neighbourhood zoo and a manhunt on the way. A series of people on the job (both journalists and police) and a series of victims that were precisely in the wrong place at the wrong time. And God Johnson … who’s doing what he can to help his neighbours, trying to cover up and mask the loneliness he feels after experiencing a great loss. In the end, everything kinda went how it was supposed to. But the way the scenes followed one another in a sequence of events felt almost overwhelming at times. Never once loosing their fun though. But always accompanied by the small tear ready to get out and fall down your face at the first mention of grief. It was indeed a good book.
“My life’s last moments of uncaged liberty, I knew, would be better spent enjoying the church music than trying to explain idiocy, or entertaining all the stupid thoughts in my head”
“In the rivers of my deepest human self I just wanted someone there with me, a sounding board for my complaints, an ally in my panic, a landing spot for my love. Instead my only partner was the darkness, that deep and wicked darkness”
I’m not totally sure about how I feel right now. This book was funny in that ironic and black humour sort of way that it leaves you hanging around for a deeper meaning you’re not so sure you’ve grasped from it. A bunch of serpents left free from the neighbourhood zoo and a manhunt on the way. A series of people on the job (both journalists and police) and a series of victims that were precisely in the wrong place at the wrong time. And God Johnson … who’s doing what he can to help his neighbours, trying to cover up and mask the loneliness he feels after experiencing a great loss. In the end, everything kinda went how it was supposed to. But the way the scenes followed one another in a sequence of events felt almost overwhelming at times. Never once loosing their fun though. But always accompanied by the small tear ready to get out and fall down your face at the first mention of grief. It was indeed a good book.
“My life’s last moments of uncaged liberty, I knew, would be better spent enjoying the church music than trying to explain idiocy, or entertaining all the stupid thoughts in my head”
July 17, 2025
There aren't enough novels these days about the urban south and modern problems facing the region's cities. That's why I was so excited to hear about Goodbye, Sweetberry Park. The themes of gentrification and the pains of changing urban spaces is something I'm deeply interested in. Josh Green did an excellent job with this story.
By choosing something as troublesome as snakes to serve as a metaphor for fear and paranoia, Green gives the reader an entry into what could have been a dry story. Archie "God" Johnson is a compelling narrator, faced with the story of his career, while also coming to grips with changes to his neighborhood.
The writing is light and digestible, executed with just enough wit and humor to keep chapters light and engaging. The cast of characters grows quite diverse, as is the case with any urban space in the modern south. I liked how Green interspersed the present narrative crises with enough of Johnson's back story to fill in his motivations.
This was an excellent read. While some readers may be left wanting more emotional or philosophical heft, Green's style and execution were wonderfully done. Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is a great read for summer escape or for those wanting to get a deeper understanding of the changing character of 21st century urban cities in the American south.
By choosing something as troublesome as snakes to serve as a metaphor for fear and paranoia, Green gives the reader an entry into what could have been a dry story. Archie "God" Johnson is a compelling narrator, faced with the story of his career, while also coming to grips with changes to his neighborhood.
The writing is light and digestible, executed with just enough wit and humor to keep chapters light and engaging. The cast of characters grows quite diverse, as is the case with any urban space in the modern south. I liked how Green interspersed the present narrative crises with enough of Johnson's back story to fill in his motivations.
This was an excellent read. While some readers may be left wanting more emotional or philosophical heft, Green's style and execution were wonderfully done. Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is a great read for summer escape or for those wanting to get a deeper understanding of the changing character of 21st century urban cities in the American south.
September 16, 2025
You're a down and out reporter. Your family has been killed by a drunk driver, your poverty meals consist of rice with an odd condiment, you were endowed your Sweetberry property by a grandfather with a sense of humor. Suddenly, and inexplicably, Gerald McCaffrey, ace zookeeper, pilfers 17 deadly snakes and apparently unleashes them upon the public. Presto, you have a story to tell, and a person willing to pay you to tell it. In the course of your investigation, you discover another story of an investor, Lotto Livingston, so named because he made his fortune through the lottery, is attempting to purchase part of Sweetberry Park, for rather dubious reasons. Gradually the two stories become intertwined, and you, enterprising reporter ""God" Johnson, have the inside connections to reveal the tales of each, provided that you can remain sober enough, emotionally undetached enough, and unkilled by one of McCaffrey's purloined snakes, a fer de lance, to complete the job.
Author Josh Green partially explains the premise behind the oddly connected stories, and thank goodness for that, because otherwise it might be hard to imagine. It works, as does Green's crisp and often amusing writing style.
Author Josh Green partially explains the premise behind the oddly connected stories, and thank goodness for that, because otherwise it might be hard to imagine. It works, as does Green's crisp and often amusing writing style.
April 29, 2025
Author, editor, and reporter Josh Green knows Atlanta. Our nooks and crannies, our crooks, our cooks, the zoo, the landscape and the colorful characters—built and born—that comprise this city of neighborhoods.
In his new novel, Goodbye, Sweetberry Park, he lures us in through sardonic humor, dry wit, and terrifying behavior, but it's the underlying message about urban development that might strike out and bite us the best, or is it worst, with this snake tale?!
In any and all cases, there's no antidote for not taking a read of this compelling story where serpents feature prominently in both plot and metaphor. I'm glad I did, and highly recommend this colorful work to other readers of historical fiction set in Atlanta's changing neighborhoods.
In his new novel, Goodbye, Sweetberry Park, he lures us in through sardonic humor, dry wit, and terrifying behavior, but it's the underlying message about urban development that might strike out and bite us the best, or is it worst, with this snake tale?!
In any and all cases, there's no antidote for not taking a read of this compelling story where serpents feature prominently in both plot and metaphor. I'm glad I did, and highly recommend this colorful work to other readers of historical fiction set in Atlanta's changing neighborhoods.
August 19, 2025
Josh Green's tour de force, "Goodbye Sweetberry Part" doesn't really fit into any specific genre of modern literature. Is it a dark comedy, combining Ionesco like absurdity, and Kafesque bureaucratic nightmares? Is it a parable of race relations in the deep south? Is it a thriller/mystery about of psychotic zookeeper unleashing a massive amounts of deadly snakes into an Atlanta neighborhood? Is it a story of grief, depression, lost love? Or is it it a moral parable about the dark side of modern gentrification with corrupt real estate developers and corrupt municipal officials? Well, to be honest, it's all that and a bit more.
Green's narrator and protagonist, "God" Johnson is as compelling a first person narrator as I've read in some time. You feel the ups and downs of his grief and loss, his addictions, his struggling and failing career, his eccentric neighbors and most of all, his sense of hopelessness. Green's prose and descriptions are rich, but not overly complex, you can literally see, hear and even smell, Sweetberry Park. Going into anymore detail would require me to check the spoiler box, but take my word that this book is most certainly worth the ride.
Green's narrator and protagonist, "God" Johnson is as compelling a first person narrator as I've read in some time. You feel the ups and downs of his grief and loss, his addictions, his struggling and failing career, his eccentric neighbors and most of all, his sense of hopelessness. Green's prose and descriptions are rich, but not overly complex, you can literally see, hear and even smell, Sweetberry Park. Going into anymore detail would require me to check the spoiler box, but take my word that this book is most certainly worth the ride.
May 20, 2025
Better than taking a Gummie (or three).
Almost a psychedelic ride... over-the-top satire, symbolism, metaphors, colours, and words that dance. A big city, century-long story wrapped in a peach-sized box. The tongue-in-cheek absurdity – counterbalancing serious classism, racism, equity and equality issues – is PERFECT for a story about Atlanta. Loved all the quiet, smart, inside-Atlanta jokes, perfectly turned phrases, and masterfully painted sentences.
Is this the outer boundary of Josh Green's imagination, OR is he pulling in the reigns? Either way, I absolutely LOVED this book and can't wait for his next.
If you're looking for a GREAT summer read, Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is it.
Almost a psychedelic ride... over-the-top satire, symbolism, metaphors, colours, and words that dance. A big city, century-long story wrapped in a peach-sized box. The tongue-in-cheek absurdity – counterbalancing serious classism, racism, equity and equality issues – is PERFECT for a story about Atlanta. Loved all the quiet, smart, inside-Atlanta jokes, perfectly turned phrases, and masterfully painted sentences.
Is this the outer boundary of Josh Green's imagination, OR is he pulling in the reigns? Either way, I absolutely LOVED this book and can't wait for his next.
If you're looking for a GREAT summer read, Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is it.
April 29, 2025
what a ride. these types of gentrification novels are so good. this deals with increasing House prices, cities changing and to make it creepy they unleash the giant snakes into the plot.
I liked this crazy ride with some great humor.
the main character Archie god is a journalist. that adds to the flavour.
totally worth the time
I liked this crazy ride with some great humor.
the main character Archie god is a journalist. that adds to the flavour.
totally worth the time
May 13, 2025
A hot, smoldering Atlanta Summer, inhabited by reptilian predators (snakes and men, alike) navigating the sewers and halls of government to feast on their prey - sometimes due to confused and reckless abandon and others by calculated and premeditated contrivance - are the backdrop of this Southern Noir journalistic mystery novel.
Green not only paints the broad strokes of a historic Atlanta neighborhood caught between its storied past and uncertain gentrified future, delving deep into the class and race struggles of generations past, but effortlessly marries those bedrock ideas and feelings well within the 21st century of modern real estate development tyranny with the the up-close-and-personal stories of those individuals living through these tough times.
Mr. Green has proven himself an adept student of the history of Atlanta and its inhabitants, in full Technicolor. 'Goodbye, Sweetberry Park', is my favorite novel of his, so far. I look forward to his next adventure.
CPT
Green not only paints the broad strokes of a historic Atlanta neighborhood caught between its storied past and uncertain gentrified future, delving deep into the class and race struggles of generations past, but effortlessly marries those bedrock ideas and feelings well within the 21st century of modern real estate development tyranny with the the up-close-and-personal stories of those individuals living through these tough times.
Mr. Green has proven himself an adept student of the history of Atlanta and its inhabitants, in full Technicolor. 'Goodbye, Sweetberry Park', is my favorite novel of his, so far. I look forward to his next adventure.
CPT
December 6, 2025
If Carl Hiaasen and Tom Wolfe had a baby, it might look something like this inventive, laugh-out-loud funny novel about an Atlanta that residents of the city will recognize: a place defined by bizarre contrasts of old and new, extreme wealth and hardscrabble lives, a place you can't help but love even as you are rolling your eyes at its excesses. Goodbye, Sweetberry Park does this strange place justice while also offering a deeply entertaining and smart read full of clever turns of phrase and shrewd observations.
April 15, 2025
A wild story about gentrification, how cities really feel in America today, and how everyone really just wants a good home for themselves. Also snakes. It's all held together by Josh Green's deep knowledge of Atlanta and his distinctive sense of humor and voice.
April 9, 2025
Gentrification novels have been done, yes. But not like this. What a ride. Five stars no question.
April 9, 2025
Great read and humorous take on what applies to all of metro Atlanta right now.
April 15, 2025
Housing prices, splintering community, too hot summers… and escaped zoo snakes invading our yards and homes. These are all things we worry about every day, right? Ok, maybe not the snakes. But that’s the genius of this book. It takes our real-world bs and ratchets it up to 11, making it thrilling, fun and funny, too. And the fact that this neighborhood is clearly based on Grant Park (or People’s Town?) makes it even better for the ATL crowd. A very smart book I very much enjoyed reading.
May 30, 2025
A wild and fantastic ride of a novel that was captivating all the way through.
July 29, 2025
Fun to read about the local area, but sad that the poverty, racism, and explotation by developers is all too real here.
October 3, 2025
I could not stop reading Sweetberry Park. The characters are wonderful, the plot engaging, and lots of humor.
Robert
Robert
June 11, 2025
first I want to thank the author for sending me this copy.
Goodbye, Sweetberry Park by Josh Green is a compelling and suspenseful read. The story follows God Johnson, a seasoned journalist from Atlanta, who inherits a Victorian house from his late white grandfather. As Johnson navigates his new life, he discovers that his neighborhood, Sweetberry Park, is under threat from a city council proposal that would demolish 15 homes for a historic preservation project. The true intentions behind the project seem questionable, and Johnson finds himself at the center of the controversy.
Meanwhile, a chilling subplot unfolds as Gerald McCaffrey, a rogue zookeeper, steals 17 of the world's most venomous snakes, including a black mamba and a giant anaconda. The stolen snakes pose a deadly threat, and Johnson's investigation into the neighborhood's fate becomes even more urgent.
The book masterfully weaves together themes of community, identity, and the high stakes of urban development. With its suspenseful plot and complex characters, "Goodbye, Sweetberry Park" is a gripping read that explores the intricacies of neighborhood dynamics and the true cost of progress.
Goodbye, Sweetberry Park by Josh Green is a compelling and suspenseful read. The story follows God Johnson, a seasoned journalist from Atlanta, who inherits a Victorian house from his late white grandfather. As Johnson navigates his new life, he discovers that his neighborhood, Sweetberry Park, is under threat from a city council proposal that would demolish 15 homes for a historic preservation project. The true intentions behind the project seem questionable, and Johnson finds himself at the center of the controversy.
Meanwhile, a chilling subplot unfolds as Gerald McCaffrey, a rogue zookeeper, steals 17 of the world's most venomous snakes, including a black mamba and a giant anaconda. The stolen snakes pose a deadly threat, and Johnson's investigation into the neighborhood's fate becomes even more urgent.
The book masterfully weaves together themes of community, identity, and the high stakes of urban development. With its suspenseful plot and complex characters, "Goodbye, Sweetberry Park" is a gripping read that explores the intricacies of neighborhood dynamics and the true cost of progress.
September 4, 2025
True southern charm, street grit, unforgettable characters, laugh out loud one liners, and a plausible snake epidemic, you’ll get all of this and more from this hilarious tale of mischief, community activism, friendship and neighborhood issues that strike close to home in today’s inner city- super fun book with captivating characters!
November 12, 2025
As a transplant to Atlanta who recently bought a house in one of these zoo-adjacent neighborhoods I really appreciated the thought-provoking themes of gentrification, government structures and bureaucracy, and community engagement raised throughout the book, while moving through an incredibly immersive story. May want to avoid yardwork while reading!
November 12, 2025
Fantastic book by an even better author. I loved seeing my Atlanta and the complex truth of gentrification splayed out on the page. Josh combines humor, thoughtfulness, and expertise in the issues of this wild place we call home. Wish I could follow these characters for part 2!!
March 28, 2025
Josh Green knocks it out of the park with this fast paced, riveting novel. Its perfect mix of drama, mystery, and comedy will keep all readers intrigued until the very end! A good,quick,enjoyable read I highly recommend.
July 13, 2025
a fast-paced read with some chaos and crazy characters that keep you engaged throughout
October 3, 2025
This is a lovely and charming tale with insights into Atlanta's multi-racial population (who fits in with whom) and its grappling with growth, development and change.
May 15, 2025
Goodbye, Sweetberry Park by Josh Green
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉What a wild, unforgettable ride! This book truly has it all—sharp humor, real-world social issues, heartfelt character journeys, and yes… seventeen of the deadliest snakes ever slithering through a city! Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is a rare kind of novel that entertains you thoroughly while leaving you thinking deeply about the world we live in.
👉At the heart of the story is Archie “God” Johnson—a complex, aging journalist with Nigerian and Scots-Irish roots—who finds himself at a crossroads after inheriting a crumbling Victorian home from his openly racist grandfather. The house, dropped like a curse into his lap, sits in Sweetberry Park, a tight-knit Black neighborhood full of history, resilience, and beauty.
👉Johnson is grieving, addicted, and unsure of his future, but something about Sweetberry Park starts to heal him. He begins to reconnect—with his purpose, his community, and himself. The residents accept him, and soon, he’s not just fixing up a house—he’s rebuilding a life. But trouble is brewing. Developers are circling with “generous” offers, dressed up as a preservation project, but really planning to erase the heart of the neighborhood. The threat of gentrification looms large.
👉And then—chaos. A mentally unstable zookeeper unleashes seventeen of the most venomous snakes known to man into the neighborhood: black mambas, vipers, even an anaconda. Panic spreads. There’s a shooting. There’s a wrongful arrest. The city descends into confusion and fear. But somehow, amid all this madness, Archie finds a way to stand up—not just for himself, but for his community.
👉This book is absolutely unforgettable. Josh Green has crafted a story that’s raw, hilarious, terrifying, and moving all at once. His characters are so vivid—from the old blues singer with a secret past to the new wave of activists fighting for justice. Every page brims with tension and heart.
👉What I love most? This isn’t just a story about snakes and neighborhoods. It’s about belonging, legacy, and what it means to fight for the places and people you love.
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉What a wild, unforgettable ride! This book truly has it all—sharp humor, real-world social issues, heartfelt character journeys, and yes… seventeen of the deadliest snakes ever slithering through a city! Goodbye, Sweetberry Park is a rare kind of novel that entertains you thoroughly while leaving you thinking deeply about the world we live in.
👉At the heart of the story is Archie “God” Johnson—a complex, aging journalist with Nigerian and Scots-Irish roots—who finds himself at a crossroads after inheriting a crumbling Victorian home from his openly racist grandfather. The house, dropped like a curse into his lap, sits in Sweetberry Park, a tight-knit Black neighborhood full of history, resilience, and beauty.
👉Johnson is grieving, addicted, and unsure of his future, but something about Sweetberry Park starts to heal him. He begins to reconnect—with his purpose, his community, and himself. The residents accept him, and soon, he’s not just fixing up a house—he’s rebuilding a life. But trouble is brewing. Developers are circling with “generous” offers, dressed up as a preservation project, but really planning to erase the heart of the neighborhood. The threat of gentrification looms large.
👉And then—chaos. A mentally unstable zookeeper unleashes seventeen of the most venomous snakes known to man into the neighborhood: black mambas, vipers, even an anaconda. Panic spreads. There’s a shooting. There’s a wrongful arrest. The city descends into confusion and fear. But somehow, amid all this madness, Archie finds a way to stand up—not just for himself, but for his community.
👉This book is absolutely unforgettable. Josh Green has crafted a story that’s raw, hilarious, terrifying, and moving all at once. His characters are so vivid—from the old blues singer with a secret past to the new wave of activists fighting for justice. Every page brims with tension and heart.
👉What I love most? This isn’t just a story about snakes and neighborhoods. It’s about belonging, legacy, and what it means to fight for the places and people you love.
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
June 25, 2025
📚 GetUrBook Book Review: Goodbye, Sweetberry Park by Josh Green
Some books make you laugh. Some books make you think. And then… there’s Goodbye, Sweetberry Park—a riotous, razor-sharp satire that does both in the most unexpected ways.
Josh Green, with his journalist’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s love for chaos, delivers a novel that feels like Atlanta itself—loud, colorful, stubborn, and heartbreakingly human. Through the eyes of “God” Johnson, a mixed-race reporter suddenly thrust into homeownership in a historically Black neighborhood, Green paints a hilarious but deeply poignant portrait of modern gentrification.
The plot is as unpredictable as the neighborhood’s wildlife—yes, there are literal flesh-eating snakes on the loose, thanks to a deranged zoo worker. But it’s the human characters who truly bite. From shady developers and eccentric neighbors to lost souls trying to hold onto their heritage, each voice jumps off the page with vibrancy.
The humor is sharp, often dark, and delivered with that dry, observational wit only a seasoned journalist like Green could master. One moment you’re chuckling at the absurdity of city politics, the next you’re hit with gut-punch reflections on displacement, race, and identity. The dialogue sparkles—fast, witty, and unapologetically real.
What makes Goodbye, Sweetberry Park stand out is how it handles serious issues without losing its playful tone. Green doesn’t preach. Instead, he lets the madness of urban development, media hypocrisy, and neighborhood loyalty speak for itself—through humor, satire, and characters you won’t easily forget.
If you’re looking for a read that mixes social commentary with laugh-out-loud moments and a bit of urban chaos, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR.
Some books make you laugh. Some books make you think. And then… there’s Goodbye, Sweetberry Park—a riotous, razor-sharp satire that does both in the most unexpected ways.
Josh Green, with his journalist’s eye for detail and a storyteller’s love for chaos, delivers a novel that feels like Atlanta itself—loud, colorful, stubborn, and heartbreakingly human. Through the eyes of “God” Johnson, a mixed-race reporter suddenly thrust into homeownership in a historically Black neighborhood, Green paints a hilarious but deeply poignant portrait of modern gentrification.
The plot is as unpredictable as the neighborhood’s wildlife—yes, there are literal flesh-eating snakes on the loose, thanks to a deranged zoo worker. But it’s the human characters who truly bite. From shady developers and eccentric neighbors to lost souls trying to hold onto their heritage, each voice jumps off the page with vibrancy.
The humor is sharp, often dark, and delivered with that dry, observational wit only a seasoned journalist like Green could master. One moment you’re chuckling at the absurdity of city politics, the next you’re hit with gut-punch reflections on displacement, race, and identity. The dialogue sparkles—fast, witty, and unapologetically real.
What makes Goodbye, Sweetberry Park stand out is how it handles serious issues without losing its playful tone. Green doesn’t preach. Instead, he lets the madness of urban development, media hypocrisy, and neighborhood loyalty speak for itself—through humor, satire, and characters you won’t easily forget.
If you’re looking for a read that mixes social commentary with laugh-out-loud moments and a bit of urban chaos, this one deserves a top spot on your TBR.
December 26, 2025
I've got to start by admitting that the title ("Goodbye, Sweetberry Park") was not enticing and that the tag lines and back page didn't really convince me much. After all, I couldn't figure out how snakes would play a role in this book if it wasn't for a perhaps gory or catastrophic story.
I can now say that Josh Green might've done it all in purpose simply because his book is so entertaining, so well written, and with so many characters and stories to keep you entertained through it all. Behind it all, there's much sensitivity, solidarity and good will between the inhabitants that make this a great book to enjoy.
Sure: snakes do play a role in the story, but the main character is not the narrator (God Johnson) but the neighborhood (Sweetberry Park) and its process of gentrification.
I get it: this description might not entice readers to pay much attention to Josh Green's work, but the truth is they'd be missing the opportunity to be swindled in the many emotions and power that the book holds.
This is the story of business sharks, characters who've seen the highlights of their lives pass them by and, of course, snakes.
Read it and become marveled by the precise and thoughtful prose of its author, covering many ranges of emotions and, just like any good book should, leaving you with a satisfied grin after closing it.
What a great ride!
I can now say that Josh Green might've done it all in purpose simply because his book is so entertaining, so well written, and with so many characters and stories to keep you entertained through it all. Behind it all, there's much sensitivity, solidarity and good will between the inhabitants that make this a great book to enjoy.
Sure: snakes do play a role in the story, but the main character is not the narrator (God Johnson) but the neighborhood (Sweetberry Park) and its process of gentrification.
I get it: this description might not entice readers to pay much attention to Josh Green's work, but the truth is they'd be missing the opportunity to be swindled in the many emotions and power that the book holds.
This is the story of business sharks, characters who've seen the highlights of their lives pass them by and, of course, snakes.
Read it and become marveled by the precise and thoughtful prose of its author, covering many ranges of emotions and, just like any good book should, leaving you with a satisfied grin after closing it.
What a great ride!
May 15, 2025
This is a wild ride that starts with snakes on the loose and ends with a night of chaos. The middle is packed with a lot of heart. Johnson is a broken man driven only by his passion for journalism. His grief never leaves him, though his love for the people in his historic neighborhood keep him connected to reality. Scenes from press conferences and civic meetings reminded me of my own history as a daily newspaper reporter. I loved the well-drawn characters who were full of their own flaws and selfish motivations. Green explores gentrification through the eyes of the neighborhood's long-time residents. As the oppressive heat ratchets higher in the sweltering city, so does the tension. The looming threat of snakes and developer’s bulldozers are equally terrifying for the Sweetberry Park residents. What I loved the most is the way Green captures the earnestness of the colorful cast and then cuts to the quick with a poignant line.
“…there’s a peculiar comfort in being afraid, dreading the unexplored, especially among like-minded cowards. Fear is a cult, a mob. It’s difficult to unlearn. The remedy is experience, knowledge, even insouciance.”
"We don't realize how selfish our lives have been until eight pounds of fury demands so much selflessness of us."
“…there’s a peculiar comfort in being afraid, dreading the unexplored, especially among like-minded cowards. Fear is a cult, a mob. It’s difficult to unlearn. The remedy is experience, knowledge, even insouciance.”
"We don't realize how selfish our lives have been until eight pounds of fury demands so much selflessness of us."
April 21, 2025
“Goodbye Sweetberry Park” by Josh Green is an amazing novel about gentrification, with humour and mystery.
Johnson, the main character of the novel, has inherited his grandfather’s house in Sweetberry Park (a southern black neighbourhood), which is falling apart. After a personal tragedy of losing his son, drug abuse and a bad life, he slowly climbs out of the pit, restarts renovations on his house and forms bonds with the community.
The greedy rich developers however have different plans for the small town and embark on a project where they deceive the community, who want to knock down the whole town and rebuild with the purpose to serve their pockets.
Catastrophe ensues, when an unhinged employee from the zoo unleashes venomous and deadly snakes into the community, creating a fury of panic and a series of unfortunate events.
Will Johnson be able to save the neighbourhood?
This fast-paced novel will have you on the edge of your seat. The author has written a great page turner, with an array of interesting characters, with humour and a touch of mystery.
Highly recommend this wonderfully and enjoyable novel.
Johnson, the main character of the novel, has inherited his grandfather’s house in Sweetberry Park (a southern black neighbourhood), which is falling apart. After a personal tragedy of losing his son, drug abuse and a bad life, he slowly climbs out of the pit, restarts renovations on his house and forms bonds with the community.
The greedy rich developers however have different plans for the small town and embark on a project where they deceive the community, who want to knock down the whole town and rebuild with the purpose to serve their pockets.
Catastrophe ensues, when an unhinged employee from the zoo unleashes venomous and deadly snakes into the community, creating a fury of panic and a series of unfortunate events.
Will Johnson be able to save the neighbourhood?
This fast-paced novel will have you on the edge of your seat. The author has written a great page turner, with an array of interesting characters, with humour and a touch of mystery.
Highly recommend this wonderfully and enjoyable novel.
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