These Heathens

“This touching coming-of-age story tackles themes like identity, growth, and power with razor-sharp wit and humor.”—Harper’s Bazaar

“Deliciously Black and queer . . . You will absolutely want to read this.”—Roxane Gay

“This touching coming-of-age story tackles themes like identity, growth and power with razor-sharp wit and humor.”—Good Housekeeping

“Propulsive [and] smart.”—Forbes

“[A] heartfelt romp.”—Electric Lit

“A captivating historical novel full of humor and depth.”—Ms.

“McKenzie’s humorous historical novel reflects on what becomes possible when women can choose for themselves.”—The Washington Post

“Cheering Doris on through her life-changing weekend was one of my favorite reading experiences this year. I ate up the voice, the style, the story.”—Modern Mrs. Darcy

“Bursting with heart and humor, These Heathens reflects powerfully on choice and chance, while also being endlessly entertaining.”—Allison Larkin, author of The People We Keep and Home of the American Circus

“A one-of-a-kind, urgently needed novel about choosing the life you want to lead . . . Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement and Atlanta’s queer Black community, Mia McKenzie vividly depicts how Black women create circles of trust, freedom, and autonomy with one another.”—Leila Mottley, author of Nightcrawling and The Girls Who Grew Big

“Page-turning, timely, and relentlessly entertaining, These Heathens reminds us that life is not only about what happens to you, it’s also about what you choose and the people who help you along the way.”—Jayne Allen, author of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted and The Most Wonderful Time

“A quick, funny, heartwarming read . . . Doris gives voice and form to the unspoken realities of women all over the world. This novel will stay with me for a very long time.”—Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of Patsy and Here Comes the Sun

“A funny, sinful look at the Civil Rights Movement from a valuable queer perspective, and a glorious addition to the canon of resistance literature.”—Gabriel Bump, author of Everywhere You Don’t Belong and The New Naturals

“Mia McKenzie is a master of strong-willed, clear-voiced protagonists who, even when they go a bit wayward, remain so fun to root for.”—Sara Nović, author of True Biz and Girl at War

“In this funny, poignant, and urgent tale, she shines a light on both the decisions women—particularly Black women—get to make, and on their autonomy—not just over their bodies, but over their entire lives.”—Nancy Johnson, author of People of Means and The Kindest Lie

“A whirlwind exploration of the activism, culture and myriad changes that characterized the early 1960s.”—BookPage

“McKenzie’s novel crackles with energy, and her depiction of Black high society during a pivotal moment in American history has depth and vivacity.”—Kirkus Reviews