In the shadow of America's foundational myths, "My Monticello" by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson unfolds with a gripping narrative that weaves together the past's echoes and the present's clamorous demands for justice and survival. At the heart of this collection is the eponymous novella, which charts a harrowing journey of Da’Naisha, a young Black woman claiming lineage from Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, as she leads a group of neighbors fleeing the terror of white supremacists. Their refuge in Jefferson's historic estate becomes a poignant symbol of seeking sanctuary in the very places that epitomize the complexities of American heritage. Through Da'Naisha's eyes, Johnson explores the deep fissures of racial and environmental collapse, crafting a future that feels perilously close to our present. Beyond the central narrative, Johnson's debut is a mosaic of resilience and identity, spanning stories that confront the insidious nature of racism and the quest for a place to call home in a world on the brink. From a university professor's unsettling experiment on his son in "Control Negro" to the poignant struggles of a Nigerian widower in Alexandria, each tale captures the essence of human endurance amidst societal breakdowns. "My Monticello" is a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to the scars and hopes of a nation, heralding Jocelyn Nicole Johnson as a formidable voice in American fiction. Through her unflinching examination of America's burdened inheritances and the extraordinary pursuits of belonging, Johnson invites readers to ponder the meaning of home, both as a physical space and an internal state of being, amidst the turbulent quest for an equitable existence.