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The Book of Chuck
An extraordinary new novel about family, legacy, and an inherited curse, from National Book Award–nominated author LaToya Watkins
Set across Texas and spanning four generations, The Book of Chuck is a gimlet-eyed investigation into birthright and belonging through the story of one family in which certain members have clairvoyant powers.
“Pa, no go. Him burn.” When baby Nannie utters these prophetic words in 1936, she marks herself as cursed. The ability to see death before it happens forever changes the course of her life, and the lives of her descendants.
Forty years later, Chuck is about to become a father. He intends to make a home filled with love, unlike the one he was born into. But when he begins paying visits to his estranged mother, Nannie, in search of answers, she starts pushing him away from the life he’s always wanted.
Set across Texas and spanning four generations, The Book of Chuck is a gimlet-eyed investigation into birthright and belonging through the story of one family in which certain members have clairvoyant powers.
“Pa, no go. Him burn.” When baby Nannie utters these prophetic words in 1936, she marks herself as cursed. The ability to see death before it happens forever changes the course of her life, and the lives of her descendants.
Forty years later, Chuck is about to become a father. He intends to make a home filled with love, unlike the one he was born into. But when he begins paying visits to his estranged mother, Nannie, in search of answers, she starts pushing him away from the life he’s always wanted.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published August 18, 2026
About the author
LaToya Watkins
3 books189 followersLaToya Watkins’s writing has appeared in A Public Space, The Sun, McSweeney’s, Kenyon Review, The Pushcart Prize Anthology (2015), and elsewhere. She has received grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, Hedgebrook, and A Public Space (she was one of their 2018 Emerging Writers Fellows). She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas. Perish is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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August 24, 2026i love a family saga
August 17, 2026
Beautifully written. Breaking generational curses and trauma is never easy. We have to reflect on our family history to know where we’re going. Chuck is an imperfect man who was failed by his mother but inherited a father who showed him love. He still has unhealed mother wounds that led him down a path of family destructiob.
We get so much symbolism of unhealed generational curses and trauma in this book. The author did such a good job exploring this family’s history to show how the 3 sisters came to be how they are. So many jaw dropping moments in the book. I’m still staring at a wall and I finished a few hours ago. I highly recommend this book.
We get so much symbolism of unhealed generational curses and trauma in this book. The author did such a good job exploring this family’s history to show how the 3 sisters came to be how they are. So many jaw dropping moments in the book. I’m still staring at a wall and I finished a few hours ago. I highly recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dear Readers,
There’s something quietly haunting about The Book of Chuck by Latoya Watkins, a story that doesn’t rush to explain itself, but instead asks you to sit with what is said… and what isn’t. At its core, this is a story about inheritance. Not just of blood, but of pain, silence, and something almost spiritual. Gifts that feel more like burdens passed down through generations.
We meet Chuck, born Walter, a man shaped by absence long before he could understand it. Raised by Daddy (Mr. Jack) after being disowned by his mother, Nannie, Chuck grows up carrying questions that never quite leave him. And yet, despite that distance, he inherits something deeply tied to her, a gift that allows him to see death before it happens. That alone is enough to unsettle you.
But what struck me most wasn’t just the supernatural element—it was how grounded it felt in real emotional experiences. Abandonment. Religious weight. Family secrets that stretch across decades. The kind of silence that doesn’t just hide truth, but reshapes entire lives.
Nannie herself is a complicated presence. A woman marked early by her own gift, her own knowing, and the choices that followed. When she tells Chuck she came back for him but found him already rooted elsewhere, it doesn’t resolve anything, It just adds another layer of ache.
And that’s something this book does well: it resists neat closure.
As Chuck grows into adulthood, builds a life with Nettie, and faces the weight of knowing the fate of his unborn child, you see a man trying to navigate trauma he was never given the tools to process. I didn’t find myself changing my perception of him as the story unfolded. If anything, I understood him more. Could he have made better choices? Of course. But this story doesn’t deal in perfection. It deals in survival.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is how these generational threads continue through his children—especially Baby, who begins to uncover truths about who they are and where they come from. And yet, even as pieces come together, so much remains unspoken.
That’s where my feelings about this book settle.
It felt… incomplete.
Not in a careless way, but in a way that mirrors the very thing it explores, families that don’t say everything, truths that only surface halfway, and identities that are never fully explained. Even as Baby and Little Walter begin to understand their lineage, there’s still a quiet distance between what is known and what is shared. I found myself wanting more. More depth from certain characters—especially Minor, whose quiet acceptance of Chuck felt significant but underexplored. More answers. More connection.
But maybe that longing is the point.
Because beneath the surface, this isn’t just a story about a man with a gift—it’s a story about what families choose to carry, what they choose to hide, and what it costs to live somewhere in between.
This isn’t a book that hands you everything.
It leaves you sitting with it.
From Love,
The Letters
There’s something quietly haunting about The Book of Chuck by Latoya Watkins, a story that doesn’t rush to explain itself, but instead asks you to sit with what is said… and what isn’t. At its core, this is a story about inheritance. Not just of blood, but of pain, silence, and something almost spiritual. Gifts that feel more like burdens passed down through generations.
We meet Chuck, born Walter, a man shaped by absence long before he could understand it. Raised by Daddy (Mr. Jack) after being disowned by his mother, Nannie, Chuck grows up carrying questions that never quite leave him. And yet, despite that distance, he inherits something deeply tied to her, a gift that allows him to see death before it happens. That alone is enough to unsettle you.
But what struck me most wasn’t just the supernatural element—it was how grounded it felt in real emotional experiences. Abandonment. Religious weight. Family secrets that stretch across decades. The kind of silence that doesn’t just hide truth, but reshapes entire lives.
Nannie herself is a complicated presence. A woman marked early by her own gift, her own knowing, and the choices that followed. When she tells Chuck she came back for him but found him already rooted elsewhere, it doesn’t resolve anything, It just adds another layer of ache.
And that’s something this book does well: it resists neat closure.
As Chuck grows into adulthood, builds a life with Nettie, and faces the weight of knowing the fate of his unborn child, you see a man trying to navigate trauma he was never given the tools to process. I didn’t find myself changing my perception of him as the story unfolded. If anything, I understood him more. Could he have made better choices? Of course. But this story doesn’t deal in perfection. It deals in survival.
One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is how these generational threads continue through his children—especially Baby, who begins to uncover truths about who they are and where they come from. And yet, even as pieces come together, so much remains unspoken.
That’s where my feelings about this book settle.
It felt… incomplete.
Not in a careless way, but in a way that mirrors the very thing it explores, families that don’t say everything, truths that only surface halfway, and identities that are never fully explained. Even as Baby and Little Walter begin to understand their lineage, there’s still a quiet distance between what is known and what is shared. I found myself wanting more. More depth from certain characters—especially Minor, whose quiet acceptance of Chuck felt significant but underexplored. More answers. More connection.
But maybe that longing is the point.
Because beneath the surface, this isn’t just a story about a man with a gift—it’s a story about what families choose to carry, what they choose to hide, and what it costs to live somewhere in between.
This isn’t a book that hands you everything.
It leaves you sitting with it.
From Love,
The Letters
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My rating: ★★★★☆ (4–4.25 stars)
family drama 🤝 complicated fathers 🤝 "people are never just one thing"
okay but...this is one of those books that sneaks up on you.
you think you're reading a story about one person and then suddenly you're reading about family, identity, generational wounds, forgiveness and all the messy things people leave behind and somehow it all works together.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved was THE CHARACTERS.
because nobody in this book feels simple especially Chuck and honestly? that's what makes him interesting. he's the kind of character who can be frustrating, lovable, selfish and generous sometimes all within the same chapter, which made him feel incredibly human.
the book never asks you to excuse every decision he makes but it does ask you to understand where those decisions come from and i appreciated that.
the family dynamics were probably my favorite part because this isn't a story where everyone sits down, communicates perfectly and solves years of emotional baggage in one conversation.
these relationships feel lived in. they feel messy, complicated and full of love and resentment existing side by side and honestly? those were the moments that hit the hardest.
i also really loved the way the story explores legacy.
not just "what do we leave behind?" but "what do we pass on without even realizing it?" whether that's love, trauma, expectations or mistakes.
those themes run through the entire book and give it a lot of emotional weight.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...
okay, this is definitely more character driven than plot driven so if you're looking for huge twists or nonstop action with fast pacing this probably isn't that book.
it's much more interested in exploring people than in racing toward a destination.
there were also moments where the timeline and family connections took me a second to fully piece together.
not enough to make me confused, just enough that i occasionally had to slow down and reorient myself.
and while i admired what the book was doing emotionally, there were a few places where i wanted certain storylines to be explored even more deeply than they were.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this felt like looking at a family portrait and slowly realizing every person in it has their own story.
it's thoughtful and emotional, sometimes frustrating and ultimately very human. it doesn't offer easy answers but that's kind of the point.
so if you like literary fiction, complex family relationships or morally complicated characters and stories that explore how generations shape one another...you'll probably really appreciate this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the family drama...
i stayed because this book reminded me that the people we love are rarely heroes or villains they're usually something much messier in between 💔📚✨
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishing House for providing me the ARC!
family drama 🤝 complicated fathers 🤝 "people are never just one thing"
okay but...this is one of those books that sneaks up on you.
you think you're reading a story about one person and then suddenly you're reading about family, identity, generational wounds, forgiveness and all the messy things people leave behind and somehow it all works together.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
what i loved was THE CHARACTERS.
because nobody in this book feels simple especially Chuck and honestly? that's what makes him interesting. he's the kind of character who can be frustrating, lovable, selfish and generous sometimes all within the same chapter, which made him feel incredibly human.
the book never asks you to excuse every decision he makes but it does ask you to understand where those decisions come from and i appreciated that.
the family dynamics were probably my favorite part because this isn't a story where everyone sits down, communicates perfectly and solves years of emotional baggage in one conversation.
these relationships feel lived in. they feel messy, complicated and full of love and resentment existing side by side and honestly? those were the moments that hit the hardest.
i also really loved the way the story explores legacy.
not just "what do we leave behind?" but "what do we pass on without even realizing it?" whether that's love, trauma, expectations or mistakes.
those themes run through the entire book and give it a lot of emotional weight.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
BUT...
okay, this is definitely more character driven than plot driven so if you're looking for huge twists or nonstop action with fast pacing this probably isn't that book.
it's much more interested in exploring people than in racing toward a destination.
there were also moments where the timeline and family connections took me a second to fully piece together.
not enough to make me confused, just enough that i occasionally had to slow down and reorient myself.
and while i admired what the book was doing emotionally, there were a few places where i wanted certain storylines to be explored even more deeply than they were.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
overall this felt like looking at a family portrait and slowly realizing every person in it has their own story.
it's thoughtful and emotional, sometimes frustrating and ultimately very human. it doesn't offer easy answers but that's kind of the point.
so if you like literary fiction, complex family relationships or morally complicated characters and stories that explore how generations shape one another...you'll probably really appreciate this one.
My final thoughts;
i came for the family drama...
i stayed because this book reminded me that the people we love are rarely heroes or villains they're usually something much messier in between 💔📚✨
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publishing House for providing me the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Book of Chuck was my first read by LaToya Watkins, and very honestly, it pulled me in way more than I expected. It’s one of those multigenerational stories where the past keeps reaching forward, tapping each character on the shoulder whether they want it or not. This author mixes family drama with a light supernatural thread, and the result feels both grounded and eerie in the best way. The book opens with Nannie who was just a baby in 1936 blurting out a prophecy that marks her for life. From there, the author shows how this “gift” (or curse, depending on who you ask!) shapes not just Nannie’s future but her descendants’ as well. What I loved most is how the characters interact across these timelines. Even when they’re not in the same room or even the same decade, you feel the emotional pull between them. Chuck’s storyline hit me hardest. He’s trying so hard to build a loving home, something he never had, and every time he visits Nannie you can feel the tension that he wants answers, connection, maybe even closure, and she just can’t give him what he’s looking for. Their scenes are messy, tender, frustrating… basically everything that complicated family relationships tend to be. Next there’s Baby, whose voice brings a totally different energy to the story. Her mom uproots their life to join a religious community convinced the world is ending, which already sets the tone. When Baby starts having visions of death herself, she goes digging into her family history, trying to piece together who Chuck really was and what this “gift” means. Her storyline is where the twist really lands, the visions aren’t just a curse, they become a way for her to understand her family and herself. It reframes everything we thought we knew about this lineage. The plot moves slowly but intentionally, weaving between generations without ever feeling confusing. The author doesn’t rely on big dramatic supernatural moments; instead, the clairvoyance is woven into the emotional fabric of the story. It’s less “magic” and more “inheritance,” which I really liked. The ending isn’t explosive, it’s reflective, quiet, and satisfying. Baby’s final understanding of her family’s legacy feels earned, and it ties the threads together in a way that’s both bittersweet and hopeful. All in all, this is a thoughtful, layered story about family, prophecy, and the things we carry even when we don’t want to. The author's writing is lyrical but approachable, and her characters feel real enough to sit beside you. As my first read from her, it definitely made me want to pick up more of her work. #netgalley #thebookofchuck
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
It took me a minute to get my footing with this book, but once I did, I came to really get invested in these characters and the world in which they exist. Prospective readers who feel a little disconnected at first may benefit from pushing forward - I did.
Literally yesterday morning, I sat at coffee with two of my oldest friends. Our conversation was all about aging parents, aging kids, and our changing roles and responsibilities in the middle of both groups. I couldn't help but think of this novel (and even mentioned it) as we articulated our own evolving positions within our families and communities.
While this novel definitely includes some content that did not come up in our IRL chat yesterday, it feels wildly relatable for so many other reasons. It's fascinating to consider the ways in which our families shape us. Some of those are obvious, some of those are deeply buried, some are based on individuals' decisions, and some are just happenstance. This novel features all of these elements, but it also includes a family curse. Of course, those impacted by the curse experience it differently, and I have to say that I found some of these scenes to be utterly arresting. How does one fully invest in another person when they are so wrapped in a constant focus of losing them? Hurting them? Disappointing them? We don't need a curse to relate to these concerns.
I came to enjoy the messiness of these characters and situations because that made all parts of this novel feel more poignant and present. I was surprised by how much I connected with elements of these characters and their relationships (and at times freaked out by it TBH). This read really made me think. It's not light, but it definitely made an impact.
This was my first experience with this author, and it was memorable in a good way. I'll be back. for more from Watkins.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Nicole Jarvis at Dutton for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
It took me a minute to get my footing with this book, but once I did, I came to really get invested in these characters and the world in which they exist. Prospective readers who feel a little disconnected at first may benefit from pushing forward - I did.
Literally yesterday morning, I sat at coffee with two of my oldest friends. Our conversation was all about aging parents, aging kids, and our changing roles and responsibilities in the middle of both groups. I couldn't help but think of this novel (and even mentioned it) as we articulated our own evolving positions within our families and communities.
While this novel definitely includes some content that did not come up in our IRL chat yesterday, it feels wildly relatable for so many other reasons. It's fascinating to consider the ways in which our families shape us. Some of those are obvious, some of those are deeply buried, some are based on individuals' decisions, and some are just happenstance. This novel features all of these elements, but it also includes a family curse. Of course, those impacted by the curse experience it differently, and I have to say that I found some of these scenes to be utterly arresting. How does one fully invest in another person when they are so wrapped in a constant focus of losing them? Hurting them? Disappointing them? We don't need a curse to relate to these concerns.
I came to enjoy the messiness of these characters and situations because that made all parts of this novel feel more poignant and present. I was surprised by how much I connected with elements of these characters and their relationships (and at times freaked out by it TBH). This read really made me think. It's not light, but it definitely made an impact.
This was my first experience with this author, and it was memorable in a good way. I'll be back. for more from Watkins.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Nicole Jarvis at Dutton for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love The Book of Chuck because it started out so promising. The idea of a family carrying clairvoyant abilities across generations pulled me in right away, especially with that eerie opening moment from Nannie. It had all the pieces for something emotional, layered, and a little haunting.
But as I got further into the story, I found myself getting more confused than connected. There are a lot of characters introduced, and quite a few of them go by different names depending on the time period or situation. After a while, it became hard to keep track of who was who, which made it difficult to stay fully invested in what was happening.
The writing itself had moments that felt almost poetic, but at times it also felt like the characters were speaking in riddles. I kept waiting for things to click into place, but a lot of the story felt unclear. Even now, I’m not completely sure I fully grasped the main premise or what the author ultimately wanted the reader to take away from it.
I will say that toward the end, some pieces did start to come together, especially when it came to the family connections and the significance of their visions. There were glimpses of what the story could have been, and I appreciated how it tried to tie generations together through themes of inheritance, identity, and belonging. Still, there were quite a few threads that felt unfinished or not fully explored.
Overall, this was a book that had a lot of potential and an intriguing concept, but it didn’t fully come together for me. It left me with more questions than answers, and not in the satisfying way I was hoping for.
Thanks Netgalley and Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
But as I got further into the story, I found myself getting more confused than connected. There are a lot of characters introduced, and quite a few of them go by different names depending on the time period or situation. After a while, it became hard to keep track of who was who, which made it difficult to stay fully invested in what was happening.
The writing itself had moments that felt almost poetic, but at times it also felt like the characters were speaking in riddles. I kept waiting for things to click into place, but a lot of the story felt unclear. Even now, I’m not completely sure I fully grasped the main premise or what the author ultimately wanted the reader to take away from it.
I will say that toward the end, some pieces did start to come together, especially when it came to the family connections and the significance of their visions. There were glimpses of what the story could have been, and I appreciated how it tried to tie generations together through themes of inheritance, identity, and belonging. Still, there were quite a few threads that felt unfinished or not fully explored.
Overall, this was a book that had a lot of potential and an intriguing concept, but it didn’t fully come together for me. It left me with more questions than answers, and not in the satisfying way I was hoping for.
Thanks Netgalley and Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I polished it while keeping your voice, opinions, and overall tone the same:
In the beginning of this story, I found myself waiting for all of the stories to connect because I was often confused about the family lineage and who was connected to who. I made sure to take notes and reference earlier pages when needed.
Around the 30% mark, everything started coming together and the story really picked up from there. I think the earlier pages were necessary in setting the foundation for what was to come. The initial confusion didn’t deter me — if anything, it caused me to pay closer attention and write down my thoughts and connections while reading.
The words the author created were beautifully written, and I know this book, just like Perish, will stay with me as well.
I found myself wishing we got more insight into the family lineage and the spiritual connection that caused certain family members to see death through their hands. Wanting more history behind that didn’t take away from the story, though.
One of the things that stood out to me most was how different forms of hurt and struggle can pass through the same family across different generations.
Chuck was a broken man who carried scars from birth, and Lettie loved him despite all of it. He wanted to be a good husband and father, and I’m glad he was able to redeem himself, even if only for a short amount of time. I hate that his story ended so tragically because I wanted him to have his happy ending with his wife and children, but sometimes life doesn’t work that way.
Thank you to LaToya Watkins and NetGalley. I can’t wait to purchase this book for my bookshelf. This novel will stay with me for a long time. Beautiful words were poured onto every single page. Thank you again!
In the beginning of this story, I found myself waiting for all of the stories to connect because I was often confused about the family lineage and who was connected to who. I made sure to take notes and reference earlier pages when needed.
Around the 30% mark, everything started coming together and the story really picked up from there. I think the earlier pages were necessary in setting the foundation for what was to come. The initial confusion didn’t deter me — if anything, it caused me to pay closer attention and write down my thoughts and connections while reading.
The words the author created were beautifully written, and I know this book, just like Perish, will stay with me as well.
I found myself wishing we got more insight into the family lineage and the spiritual connection that caused certain family members to see death through their hands. Wanting more history behind that didn’t take away from the story, though.
One of the things that stood out to me most was how different forms of hurt and struggle can pass through the same family across different generations.
Chuck was a broken man who carried scars from birth, and Lettie loved him despite all of it. He wanted to be a good husband and father, and I’m glad he was able to redeem himself, even if only for a short amount of time. I hate that his story ended so tragically because I wanted him to have his happy ending with his wife and children, but sometimes life doesn’t work that way.
Thank you to LaToya Watkins and NetGalley. I can’t wait to purchase this book for my bookshelf. This novel will stay with me for a long time. Beautiful words were poured onto every single page. Thank you again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2026
The Book of Chuck is a multi generational saga told in segments that go back and forth over several years. The story centers around Walter, known as Chuck (for reasons I didn’t catch or weren’t explained), who has inherited his mother’s ability to touch people and see their deaths. Even though Chuck is at the center of the story, he himself dies at a young age so the story becomes one of family tragedy and trauma and complicated and difficult relationships for his family who came before and his children who come after with the family “curse” spanning generations.
This is a book focused on the characters and the author does a terrific job of engaging the reader as she slowly unfolds the story and reveals key elements and events that influence the various characters. She manages to illicit the drive to keep reading to discover the missing pieces such as how Chuck died, which isn’t revealed until the end. But the entire book is this way - a constant push to discover all the aspects of the story and what drives the characters. It’s a really good slow build kind of book with great character development. I ended up liking the book much more than I thought I would. It has to be read slowly to catch important bits of information and I was hoping for more focus on the intuitive gifts but at the end, I was satisfied that it hadn’t turned into magical realism and was more of a family saga. For me, it was hard to keep track of the secondary characters and the relationships were a bit confusing. But overall, an enjoyable and worthwhile read that keeps you thinking.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
This is a book focused on the characters and the author does a terrific job of engaging the reader as she slowly unfolds the story and reveals key elements and events that influence the various characters. She manages to illicit the drive to keep reading to discover the missing pieces such as how Chuck died, which isn’t revealed until the end. But the entire book is this way - a constant push to discover all the aspects of the story and what drives the characters. It’s a really good slow build kind of book with great character development. I ended up liking the book much more than I thought I would. It has to be read slowly to catch important bits of information and I was hoping for more focus on the intuitive gifts but at the end, I was satisfied that it hadn’t turned into magical realism and was more of a family saga. For me, it was hard to keep track of the secondary characters and the relationships were a bit confusing. But overall, an enjoyable and worthwhile read that keeps you thinking.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.
August 26, 2026
Trapped in the age of the MCU as we are, I'm sure there's come a point when you've wondered which superpower you'd most like to have in everyday life. Invisibility, so you can sneak into concerts and movies for free? Flight, to escape awkward situations at a moment’s notice? Telekinesis, so you don't need to leave the couch to get another Diet Coke from the fridge? You naturally focus on the pros, not the cons, of what this power would give you. But what if it was actually more like a curse, than a gift?
The main characters in LaToya Watkins’ The Book of Chuck — members of a Black family living through Jim Crow-era Texas, and later the America of the 1970s and 2000s — don’t have to wonder about the reality of having superhuman abilities; they live that reality firsthand, and are well acquainted with its downsides. The family has an otherworldly burden that has been passed down for generations: the clairvoyant ability to see someone’s death before it occurs, by touching them.
Watkins’ novel puts a more literal spin on the concept of breaking generational curses, of overcoming a lineage of dysfunctional family trauma and putting a stop to the cycle, once and for all. It's character-driven, quiet, and lyrical. Themes of race, abandonment, legacy, rejection, and denial of one’s own self play out across decades, proving there’s no one right way to live, to heal, to be. (Though there are wrong ways, as we see.) It’s a slow read (a very slow read, for me personally), but the complicated, complex characters make you want to stick around regardless.
Shout out to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters in LaToya Watkins’ The Book of Chuck — members of a Black family living through Jim Crow-era Texas, and later the America of the 1970s and 2000s — don’t have to wonder about the reality of having superhuman abilities; they live that reality firsthand, and are well acquainted with its downsides. The family has an otherworldly burden that has been passed down for generations: the clairvoyant ability to see someone’s death before it occurs, by touching them.
Watkins’ novel puts a more literal spin on the concept of breaking generational curses, of overcoming a lineage of dysfunctional family trauma and putting a stop to the cycle, once and for all. It's character-driven, quiet, and lyrical. Themes of race, abandonment, legacy, rejection, and denial of one’s own self play out across decades, proving there’s no one right way to live, to heal, to be. (Though there are wrong ways, as we see.) It’s a slow read (a very slow read, for me personally), but the complicated, complex characters make you want to stick around regardless.
Shout out to NetGalley and Tiny Reparations Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Dutton, and Tiny Reparations Books for the advanced copy of The Book of Chuck
I finished The Book of Chuck a few days ago and the story is one that I had to sit with for a bit to gather my thoughts. I assure you - this is a compliment. When I finished the last page of this book, I just laid in bed staring at the ceiling. If you like books that just pull at your emotions and make you experience strong feelings for the characters and their story, this is the book for you.
Watkins tells this story across timelines with multiple POVs - mainly Chuck (Walter), Lettie, and Baby. It asks the question 'are we able to change our trajectory and path, or are we truly a product of our family and upbringing?'. Can we break cycles or are there things bigger than us working in the background? There is an element of supernatural that moves within family lineage, but it's not as big of a focus as some may expect. Personally, I thought that it was fine, because I saw the focus of the story more on family dynamics and the search for belonging.
These characters are very real - you feel a range of emotions toward them: hope, support, anger, frustration, etc. There were times I wanted to step into the pages and just shake Chuck over his choices, fuss at his mom for how she behaved, and so on. So - if you love stories where the characters make you feel all the emotions, this is the one.
The ONLY thing I would say as a negative was that it was difficult to make sense of some of the family members, their connections, etc. At times it took away from the story as I was trying to make the connections of who's who in my head.
The way the story progresses and follows different generations of the same family kind of gave me Homegoing vibes - real characters, flaws and all, trying to find their place in the world, while carrying the weight of family trauma, and working to forge their own way. I think if you liked that book, then The Book of Chuck should definitely be one of your next reads.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thanks to Tiny Reparations Books, Latoya Watkins (author), and Edelweiss for the digital review copy of The Book of Chuck. Their generosity did not influence my review.
The Book of Chuck is a dense, multi-generational epic that tracks four generations of a Black American family dealing with the heavy burden of clairvoyance. Structurally, the novel functions exactly like a "story behind the story." Early on, a character reflects on the Book of Enoch; while abrahamic religions reduce Enoch to a two-line biblical footnote of a man who simply went to be with God, the gnostic text gives us his entire lived life, his hopes, and all the flaws. This book operates on that exact same gnostic wavelength. It digs into the private, complex human reality of a family whose history has been flattened and compressed by outside rumors and strict religious dogma.
The author uses this generational framework to draw clear dividing lines between true spirituality and institutional religion, clairvoyance and mere conspiracy theories. Throughout the timeline, anything alternatively spiritual or prophetic is branded as evil and shameful by a public that prefers censorship and uses strict religious cults to control people. Underneath that social pressure, we watch characters repeatedly struggle to break the cycles of deceit, domestic violence, cheating, and substance abuse. In the end, I think the novel proves that a simple, laundered family history leaves people hollow and dingy, while uncovering the raw, complicated backstory is the only way to build a real sense of family, belonging, and authentic connection. It is a powerful literary drama that rewards readers who look past the surface to those deeper character studies. 4.5 stars
The Book of Chuck is a dense, multi-generational epic that tracks four generations of a Black American family dealing with the heavy burden of clairvoyance. Structurally, the novel functions exactly like a "story behind the story." Early on, a character reflects on the Book of Enoch; while abrahamic religions reduce Enoch to a two-line biblical footnote of a man who simply went to be with God, the gnostic text gives us his entire lived life, his hopes, and all the flaws. This book operates on that exact same gnostic wavelength. It digs into the private, complex human reality of a family whose history has been flattened and compressed by outside rumors and strict religious dogma.
The author uses this generational framework to draw clear dividing lines between true spirituality and institutional religion, clairvoyance and mere conspiracy theories. Throughout the timeline, anything alternatively spiritual or prophetic is branded as evil and shameful by a public that prefers censorship and uses strict religious cults to control people. Underneath that social pressure, we watch characters repeatedly struggle to break the cycles of deceit, domestic violence, cheating, and substance abuse. In the end, I think the novel proves that a simple, laundered family history leaves people hollow and dingy, while uncovering the raw, complicated backstory is the only way to build a real sense of family, belonging, and authentic connection. It is a powerful literary drama that rewards readers who look past the surface to those deeper character studies. 4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS IS A NETGALLEY ADVANCED READING COPY:
While I did struggle to get into the initial story I was able to find myself immersed in for very raw and real generational trauma the family has experienced and the way they showed their strength and endurance regardless of how heavy their trauma and the painful circumstances they’d been through had hurt them.
I hadn’t read LaToya Watkins before but I’ve heard incredible praise and respect for her character structures, the way she executed her plot and overall story and the immersive nature that her characters will draw the reader into their lives their emotions and the experiences that they’ve been through. This was true in The Book Of Chuck and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the very near future as I’ve become a fan once I was able to get past the initial feeling I wasn’t going to be able to get invested into the story. She not only proved me wrong she has gotten me hooked on her unique character building and the raw emotional and wisdom she possesses and injects into her main characters.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC, to #LaatoyaWatkins for this beautiful and inspiring story #TheBookOfChuck and to the wonderful publishing company #Dutton and #TinyReparartionsBook
While I did struggle to get into the initial story I was able to find myself immersed in for very raw and real generational trauma the family has experienced and the way they showed their strength and endurance regardless of how heavy their trauma and the painful circumstances they’d been through had hurt them.
I hadn’t read LaToya Watkins before but I’ve heard incredible praise and respect for her character structures, the way she executed her plot and overall story and the immersive nature that her characters will draw the reader into their lives their emotions and the experiences that they’ve been through. This was true in The Book Of Chuck and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the very near future as I’ve become a fan once I was able to get past the initial feeling I wasn’t going to be able to get invested into the story. She not only proved me wrong she has gotten me hooked on her unique character building and the raw emotional and wisdom she possesses and injects into her main characters.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC, to #LaatoyaWatkins for this beautiful and inspiring story #TheBookOfChuck and to the wonderful publishing company #Dutton and #TinyReparartionsBook
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The Book of Chuck is a powerful and emotionally rich novel that explores family, identity, trauma, and survival with honesty and depth. LaToya Watkins creates vivid characters whose lives feel authentic and deeply human, allowing readers to connect with their struggles, flaws, and resilience. The novel blends emotional storytelling with sharp social observations, capturing the complexities of relationships and the lasting effects of generational pain. Watkins’ writing style is lyrical yet grounded, balancing moments of heartbreak with humor, tenderness, and hope. One of the strongest aspects of the book is its character development, particularly how it portrays the emotional weight carried by family members over time. The story moves at a thoughtful pace, giving readers time to understand the characters’ motivations and emotional journeys. Overall, The Book of Chuck is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that leaves a lasting impression through its emotional honesty and beautifully crafted storytelling.
August 22, 2026
The Book of Chuck is a multigenerational family story following the tumultuous lives of a clairvoyant family dealing with loss, disconnection, addiction, and the ever present need to just do better for each other.
The writing is incredibly emotive. Often, it drops you into the middle of the action which immediately pulls you into the story and makes it hard to put down. The disadvantage of this is there are moments when some background narrative would help to ground the chapter or passage so it feels more connected to the rest of the events taking place.
The family is expansive so be prepared to spend some time untangling relationships and understanding the Lineage. As a lover of literary fiction/character driven novels, I didn't mind this but a few extra sentences or even a family tree at the beginning would go along way to proving easy clarity for the reader.
This is my first book by LaToya Watkins but I'll definitely be reading more soon.
Overall, this book is for anyone who loves a little magic, tragedy and a big family. If you enjoyed We Are a Haunting, Homegoing, or The Book of Negroes then this is definitely for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The writing is incredibly emotive. Often, it drops you into the middle of the action which immediately pulls you into the story and makes it hard to put down. The disadvantage of this is there are moments when some background narrative would help to ground the chapter or passage so it feels more connected to the rest of the events taking place.
The family is expansive so be prepared to spend some time untangling relationships and understanding the Lineage. As a lover of literary fiction/character driven novels, I didn't mind this but a few extra sentences or even a family tree at the beginning would go along way to proving easy clarity for the reader.
This is my first book by LaToya Watkins but I'll definitely be reading more soon.
Overall, this book is for anyone who loves a little magic, tragedy and a big family. If you enjoyed We Are a Haunting, Homegoing, or The Book of Negroes then this is definitely for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“The Book of Chuck” is by LaToya Watkins. This book had a lot of my interests - generational story, Texas background, family curse - oh, sign me up to read this one. This book follows, as it says in the title, Chuck (born Walter). Chuck’s not perfect - thank goodness - but he is well rounded. He is frustrating, loving, caring, and, honestly, a person who isn’t an angel but also isn’t a villain. This book is very character driven, which isn’t my favorite, but it works for this book (though not quite for me). There are a number of characters, which took me a while to keep straight, and sometimes their names change (see Chuck, for instance), which took some adjusting to also. Maybe it was me - and I missed something the author was trying to write - but while I can see why others have enjoyed this book, for me it didn’t quite work out how I hoped it would.
“The Book of Chuck” is by LaToya Watkins. This book had a lot of my interests - generational story, Texas background, family curse - oh, sign me up to read this one. This book follows, as it says in the title, Chuck (born Walter). Chuck’s not perfect - thank goodness - but he is well rounded. He is frustrating, loving, caring, and, honestly, a person who isn’t an angel but also isn’t a villain. This book is very character driven, which isn’t my favorite, but it works for this book (though not quite for me). There are a number of characters, which took me a while to keep straight, and sometimes their names change (see Chuck, for instance), which took some adjusting to also. Maybe it was me - and I missed something the author was trying to write - but while I can see why others have enjoyed this book, for me it didn’t quite work out how I hoped it would.
August 26, 2026
Reading 2026
Book 191: The Book of Chuck by LaToya Watkins
Missed out on her book signing earlier in August, bummed about it. Chuck published August 18, listened on audio. LaToya came to my IRL book club to discuss her debut novel Perish in 2023.
Synopsis: An extraordinary new novel about family, legacy, and an inherited curse, from National Book Award–nominated author LaToya Watkins
Review: Yes!! Another excellent book by Watkins. I enjoyed the full cast audio version of the book especially the actor voicing Chuck’s parts. The story, one of grief and family, was laced with a bit of fantasy and the generational “sight” that some of the family members possessed. The distance the sight put between family members was hard for the whole family, but mostly those with the gift. Read it and let’s discuss, 4.25⭐️
Book 191: The Book of Chuck by LaToya Watkins
Missed out on her book signing earlier in August, bummed about it. Chuck published August 18, listened on audio. LaToya came to my IRL book club to discuss her debut novel Perish in 2023.
Synopsis: An extraordinary new novel about family, legacy, and an inherited curse, from National Book Award–nominated author LaToya Watkins
Review: Yes!! Another excellent book by Watkins. I enjoyed the full cast audio version of the book especially the actor voicing Chuck’s parts. The story, one of grief and family, was laced with a bit of fantasy and the generational “sight” that some of the family members possessed. The distance the sight put between family members was hard for the whole family, but mostly those with the gift. Read it and let’s discuss, 4.25⭐️
August 21, 2026
LaToya Watkins's novel The Book of Chuck follows five generations of a family touched by visions of death. Raw but tender, this novel explores generational trauma, forgiveness, and the idea that avoiding the worst can also shut out the possibility of experiencing the best. Watkins's syntax is poetic and thoughtful, and each point of view character their own distinct voice. This is a book for lovers of Pachinko, Homegoing, and The Red Tent, and is something I'll be thinking about in quiet moments of contemplation for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 6, 2026
The Book of Chuck follows a family through multiple decades and generations of love, trauma and heartbreak. There’s a tinge of magical realism here that wasn’t expecting, but I didn’t find to be too distracting. I could have benefitted from a family tree at the beginning of the book, because there were so many characters! This is a good fit for someone who’s into complicated family sagas and doesn’t mind some tough emotional themes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
August 19, 2026
A gift and a curse, or two curses, depending on perspective—the ability to see that someone will soon die by touching them, and the loss of parental love through death or abandonment—are passed down through generations of a family. The novel ingeniously moves forward and backward in time and through different perspective characters to show the different causes and effects in this family's lives, and to show how trauma reverberates in cycles through generations.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A writer who can make me sympathize with a man has done something because why would I ever—and Chuck is far from blameless. What stayed with me was the raw portrayal of generational trauma and how deeply it can shape people’s lives when it goes unaddressed.
At times, the writing dropped me into the middle of the wreckage without enough context for how the characters got there, especially with Lettie’s decline and Tootie’s depression.
Thanks to Dutton for the ARC!
At times, the writing dropped me into the middle of the wreckage without enough context for how the characters got there, especially with Lettie’s decline and Tootie’s depression.
Thanks to Dutton for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A tragic saga about estrangement, love, and betrayal, in a family who's members are able to touch someone and see their death. As usual, LaToya Watkins characters are vivid, flawed, and real.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A story following several generations of a family struggling with family secrets and a curse passed down to some of its members
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’d say this is really a story about broken and dysfunctional families that keep a few too many secrets, and the children that have to suffer because of it.
All of the characters here are absolutely flawed, but unfortunately they’re also quite realistic. This story really nails how cycles of abuse come to happen — especially when the abuse is more emotional than physical. Neither Chuck nor Lettie grew up with the best of role models to look up to and it definitely shows in their actions. Most of my time spent reading through Chuck and Lettie’s POV chapters I was just left feeling frustrated by their poor choices. And although it was clearly obvious that they truly wanted to do better for their own children, the reality is that it’s not always easy to do so. I was much more invested in Baby’s POV and was rooting for her to break the cycle of bad behavior and be able to really succeed in life. So overall, even though I felt frustrated a lot, I’d say the fact that the story was able to bring up any emotions at all is a testament to it having been well-written enough to cause an impact.
I went back and forth on rating this as a 3 or 4 star, but I’ve settled on 3 for two main reasons: firstly, I just had a hard time keeping track of all the characters names and exactly what their relations to each other were. There are a bunch of nicknames to remember as well as the family trees being confusing due to both confirmed and implied infidelity, with a lot of divorces and breakups leading to the introduction of stepparents that muddy the waters even more. (But I’ll fully admit that I do have a tendency to struggle with larger casts of characters, so there’s probably plenty of other readers that won’t have any problem at all keeping up with all of the names!) My second critique is that the “curse” really wasn’t that prominent in the story at all, and that’s the biggest selling point that had me wanting to pick the book up. The curse definitely has some meaningful mental and emotional effects on the characters that are able to see those premonitions, but overall it kind of felt like a tool of convenience instead of a fully integrated plot piece.
I definitely see this book resonating much harder with readers who grew up in similar situations or who were close with another person that had to face them. Those who have pretty much only seen more happy nuclear families may struggle to really identify with the story being told here, but it might still be a good read if only for the sake of opening your eyes to a different life experience.
(I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher, Tiny Reparations Books, via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.)
All of the characters here are absolutely flawed, but unfortunately they’re also quite realistic. This story really nails how cycles of abuse come to happen — especially when the abuse is more emotional than physical. Neither Chuck nor Lettie grew up with the best of role models to look up to and it definitely shows in their actions. Most of my time spent reading through Chuck and Lettie’s POV chapters I was just left feeling frustrated by their poor choices. And although it was clearly obvious that they truly wanted to do better for their own children, the reality is that it’s not always easy to do so. I was much more invested in Baby’s POV and was rooting for her to break the cycle of bad behavior and be able to really succeed in life. So overall, even though I felt frustrated a lot, I’d say the fact that the story was able to bring up any emotions at all is a testament to it having been well-written enough to cause an impact.
I went back and forth on rating this as a 3 or 4 star, but I’ve settled on 3 for two main reasons: firstly, I just had a hard time keeping track of all the characters names and exactly what their relations to each other were. There are a bunch of nicknames to remember as well as the family trees being confusing due to both confirmed and implied infidelity, with a lot of divorces and breakups leading to the introduction of stepparents that muddy the waters even more. (But I’ll fully admit that I do have a tendency to struggle with larger casts of characters, so there’s probably plenty of other readers that won’t have any problem at all keeping up with all of the names!) My second critique is that the “curse” really wasn’t that prominent in the story at all, and that’s the biggest selling point that had me wanting to pick the book up. The curse definitely has some meaningful mental and emotional effects on the characters that are able to see those premonitions, but overall it kind of felt like a tool of convenience instead of a fully integrated plot piece.
I definitely see this book resonating much harder with readers who grew up in similar situations or who were close with another person that had to face them. Those who have pretty much only seen more happy nuclear families may struggle to really identify with the story being told here, but it might still be a good read if only for the sake of opening your eyes to a different life experience.
(I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher, Tiny Reparations Books, via NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book so much. Latoya Watkins is honestly one of my favorite authors, so I was extremely happy to receive the ARC for this one, and she absolutely did not disappoint.
What I loved most about this story was how personal and emotional it felt even with the supernatural elements. The visions of death running through the family never felt overdone or unrealistic to me. It felt more like a family curse tied to grief, fear, love, and generational trauma. The story really stayed grounded in the relationships.
Nannie’s storyline especially stuck with me. Knowing that one moment from her childhood shaped generations after her was heartbreaking. I also loved the way the book slowly unfolded the family history instead of giving everything away at once. It made me feel connected to each generation and how deeply their lives affected one another.
The writing felt rich without trying too hard, and there were so many moments that just sat heavy with me emotionally. This is one of those books where the atmosphere and family dynamics become just as important as the actual plot.
Latoya really has a gift for writing complicated families and emotional distance between people who still love each other deeply. This book reminded me exactly why she’s one of my top authors.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books & NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was wonderfully written, even though I really struggled with the format. Jumping between POVs at different points felt a little bit jarring to me, but that was more than likely "user error". The moments where I was present and able to sit with each character properly were powerful, spiritual like I was seeing beyond the veil (just a bit). There is something special here, so I will be revisiting this one, the characters are pleading with me to fully immerse myself in their stories.
This was wonderfully written, even though I really struggled with the format. Jumping between POVs at different points felt a little bit jarring to me, but that was more than likely "user error". The moments where I was present and able to sit with each character properly were powerful, spiritual like I was seeing beyond the veil (just a bit). There is something special here, so I will be revisiting this one, the characters are pleading with me to fully immerse myself in their stories.
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