Burn Down Master's House: A Novel
Jan 2026 · Dafina
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22 reviews
Ebook
300
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About this ebook
Inspired by true, long-buried stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, a searing portrayal of resistance for readers of Colson Whitehead, Jesmyn Ward, and Percival Everett, from Clay Cane, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Grift.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they.
Luke, quick-witted and literate, and Henri, a man with a strong and defiant spirit, forge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hell, Luke and Henri will leave their mark, sparking resistance among the lives they touch...
One is Josephine, a young, sharp, and observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henri’s resilience, she listens, watches, waits for the moment to make her move.
Then there is Charity Butler, her husband a formerly enslaved man who proved his ferocity as a young boy standing alongside Josephine. At his encouragement, Charity fights for her freedom in court and wins – only to battle a deeply unjust system designed to destroy the life they’ve built.
And finally, there is Nathaniel, who ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men who, like him, are enslavers. A perversion of the system of slavery, his fragile and contradictory rule will become a catalyst of its own.
Inspired by the true stories of the profoundly courageous men and women who dared to fight back, Burn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force of a novel—breathtaking in scope, compassion, and a timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they.
Luke, quick-witted and literate, and Henri, a man with a strong and defiant spirit, forge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hell, Luke and Henri will leave their mark, sparking resistance among the lives they touch...
One is Josephine, a young, sharp, and observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henri’s resilience, she listens, watches, waits for the moment to make her move.
Then there is Charity Butler, her husband a formerly enslaved man who proved his ferocity as a young boy standing alongside Josephine. At his encouragement, Charity fights for her freedom in court and wins – only to battle a deeply unjust system designed to destroy the life they’ve built.
And finally, there is Nathaniel, who ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men who, like him, are enslavers. A perversion of the system of slavery, his fragile and contradictory rule will become a catalyst of its own.
Inspired by the true stories of the profoundly courageous men and women who dared to fight back, Burn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force of a novel—breathtaking in scope, compassion, and a timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era.
Inspired by true, long-buried stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, a searing portrayal of resistance for readers of Colson Whitehead, Jesmyn Ward, and Percival Everett, from Clay Cane, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Grift.
INSTANT NEW YORK TI...
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Ratings and reviews
22 reviews
Clarence Williams
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September 20, 2026
This book is a modern transcript of the authors family told through the horrors of racism and it's institution in America. While some of the imagery is difficult to get through during early hours of the day, it connects to my passion as a rebel. Well done, Clay.
T A
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August 20, 2026
The book is really good. I've been listening to Clay Cane on the radio since 2018, so I was thinking that I kind of already know how he thinks... Nah, this book goes in a totally different direction. It's super good and I highly recommend it. By the way, for the older folks, early on, you may come across a part that makes you raise your eyebrow a bit, but I promise if you just keep reading (or listening) you will be so glad that you did.. This book is fire!
Daryl Barnes
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September 5, 2026
This book was amazing and I can definitely see a motion picture. These are the stories that need to be TAUGHT all around the world. A MASTERPIECE...no pun intended..lol please keep writing and educating Clay Cane!!
About the author
Clay Cane is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, radio host, and political analyst. More than 3 million listeners tune into The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM each week, his commentary is heard on television networks such as ABC, MSNBC, FOX and CNN, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, CNN.com, and BET. He is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult, Live Through This, and Burn Down Master’s House. A graduate of Rutgers University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in English and African American Studies, he lives outside of New York City and can be found online at clay-cane.com.
Clay Cane is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, radio host, and political analyst. More than 3 million listeners tune into The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM each week, his commentary is heard on television networks such as ABC, MSNBC, FOX and CNN, and his work has been...
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