Them: A Novel

Barlowe Reed is a middle-aged Black man living in Atlanta's historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, where he rents a duplex and maintains a skeptical view of social change. When white newcomers move in next door, his established routines and assumptions about his community are disrupted. The novel examines the tensions and complexities that arise in a historically Black neighborhood experiencing rapid gentrification in the early 2000s. Through multiple perspectives, including both long-time residents and new arrivals, the story tracks the shifting dynamics of race, class, and belonging in an urban American setting. Set against the backdrop of Atlanta's civil rights history and Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, this novel explores the meaning of community, ownership, and identity as demographics shift and property values rise. The narrative raises questions about progress, preservation, and the true cost of neighborhood change in modern American cities.

Readers appreciate McCall's examination of gentrification in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward through both Black and white perspectives. Many note the authentic dialogue and realistic portrayal of neighborhood tensions. Several reviewers highlight how the book prompted them to examine their own views on race and class. Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing, particularly in the first third. Some readers found the characters underdeveloped and felt the ending was abrupt. A few reviews mentioned that certain plot points seemed contrived. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (443 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) "McCall captures the complex emotions and daily interactions between longtime residents and newcomers" - Amazon reviewer "The middle section grabbed me but the ending fell flat" - Goodreads review "Made me think about my role as a white homeowner in a changing neighborhood" - LibraryThing review

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🏠 The Old Fourth Ward neighborhood was home to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and remains a significant landmark in civil rights history 📚 Author Nathan McCall spent 13 years as a journalist at The Washington Post before turning to fiction writing 🏗️ The real-life gentrification of Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward began accelerating in the early 2000s, matching the novel's timeline 👥 McCall drew inspiration for the book from his own experiences living in a gentrifying Atlanta neighborhood during the early 2000s 📖 "Them" was McCall's first work of fiction after publishing two successful memoirs: "Makes Me Wanna Holler" and "What's Going On"