The Peach Seed

A Novel

By: Anita Gail Jones

Narrated by: Anita Gail Jones

"Anita Gail Jones's narration transports listeners across centuries and continents as she details the complex history of a Southern Black family."- AudioFile

This program is read by the author, who brings more than twenty-five years of experience as a professional oral-tradition storyteller of global folklore as well as original and personal stories from her southwest Georgia upbringing.

Fletcher Dukes and Altovise Benson reunite after decades apart—and a mountain of secrets—in this debut exploring the repercussions of a single choice and how an enduring talisman challenges and holds a family together.

On a routine trip to the Piggly Wiggly in Albany, Georgia, widower Fletcher Dukes smells a familiar perfume, then sees a tall woman the color of papershell pecans with a strawberry birthmark on the nape of her neck. He knows immediately that she is his lost love, Altovise Benson. Their bond, built on county fairs, sit-ins, and marches, once seemed a sure and forever thing. But their marriage plans were disrupted when the police turned a peaceful protest violent.

Before Altovise fled the South, Fletcher gave her a peach seed monkey with diamond eyes. As we learn via harrowing flashbacks, an enslaved ancestor on the coast of South Carolina carved the first peach seed, a talisman that, ever since, each father has gifted his son on his thirteenth birthday.

Giving one to Altovise initiated a break in tradition, irrevocably shaping the lives of generations of Dukeses. Recently, Fletcher has made do on his seven acres with his daughter Florida’s check-ins, his drop biscuits, and his faithful dog. But as he begins to reckon with long-ago choices, he finds he isn’t the only one burdened with unspoken truths.

An indelible portrait of a family, The Peach Seed explores how kin pass down legacies of sorrow, joy, and strength. And it is a parable of how a glimmer of hope as small as a seed can ripple across generations.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2022 Anita Gail Jones (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"An epic, enchanting debut."—Lauren Puckett-Pope, Elle

"On the surface, The Peach Seed seems mostly about inheritance and tradition, but this engrossing novel is also about partnership in the Black community—historically and now: we are children of strong women and strong men. Inarguably, Black men take a beating in American society, but The Peach Seed reminds us that we often survive our scars. You will not want to put this engrossing story down, as Anita Gail Jones introduces a whole family of survivors, planted and deeply rooted in Albany, Georgia. The Peach Seed presents a family replete with intergenerational struggles, triumphs of compassion, and fine examples of Black male bravery, compassion, resilience, and persistence, as they love their women and children and as they demand as much manhood as they can muster for themselves. The Peach Seed is a surprising book, a refreshing story, and a novel that restores Black men to their place in the family, offering an alternative to the mythic, stereotypic matriarchy by acknowledging Black men where they stand."—A.J. Verdelle, author of The Good Negress and Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison

"Anita Gail Jones’s prodigious talents are on remarkable display in The Peach Seed. Her rendering of a fictional world, whether the exterior landscapes of Georgia and West Africa or the rich portraits of the interiors of southern homes, is truly impressive. Her dialogue resonates with clarity, compassion, and authenticity, rarely seen on the pages of fiction. She braids stories of the struggles and perseverance of African-Americans in distant centuries with those of more recent eras with remarkable dexterity, and her characters are thoroughly engrossing. This immensely well-crafted debut novel, gut-wrenching at times, hopeful at others, is a beautiful achievement."—Jeffrey Colvin, award-winning author of Africaville

Absorbing multi-generational Story

Enjoyed Anita's book with all its heartwrenching and still humorous storyline of family that loves and forgives each other. Her reading about these people she knows so well was masterfill!!

Southern Fiction at its best

I loved the entire Fletcher Dukes family - Olga stole my heart. This had so many profound quotes and the author did an excellent job narrating this soul-filled novel. Bravo!

Great book about traditions

My son was reading this book in class and had the awesome experience of meeting the author and discussing the book in class. He told me about it so I had to give it a read as well. I’m glad I did! Enjoyed this book and really liked that the author narrated it.

Family history as American history

I wanted to hear more about Maliks fate and slavery. The story ended with Malik's disappointmen with his master. Just wondering what was going to happen after that. How did the past connect to the present. Did he ever get to build the boat?

Beautiful story of making hard decisions, found family, and forgiveness

Definitely different. I enjoyed as it’s about having to make hard and difficult decisions, finding who you truly are, found family, and finding and accepting forgiveness in yourself and others.

What a beautiful story!

This book was filled with lyrical imagery. The story was captivating and interesting as the layers were peeled away.
The author read this book and did a superb job. I highly recommend The Peach Seed!

Family Threads

This book weaved many themes throughout its pages. Some of those themes you may identify with are individual challenges, family dynamics, addiction, lost loves, adoption, and blended families,

The author did a wonderful job of tethering the past with the present in just the right amount. The book was narrated in such a way to bring the many characters to life. This book did a great job of keeping my attention.

I think this would be an excellent book for a high school English teacher to have students read as there are many options for relevant discussion topics.

A unique and captivating story read by the author.

Incredible storytelling rooted in family, tradition and above all…love. A must listen performance from a debut novelist.

Beautiful

This book takes you on a beautiful journey of love, faith, and forgiveness, bringing tears to your eyes with its profound and touching narrative.