Dig (novel)

Dig is a 2019 novel by A.S. King, published by Dutton Books. It is a young adult fiction novel known for its complex narrative structure, multiple perspectives, and exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics and American societal issues.

The novel follows five cousins from a wealthy, white, upper-class family in suburban Pennsylvania. Each cousin is dealing with their own struggles and anxieties, which are rooted in the secrets and failures of the adults in their lives. The family's wealth stems from a highly successful landscaping business, started decades earlier. This business, and the family fortune it generated, is intertwined with a history of racism, cultural appropriation, and the exploitation of others.

Dig explores themes of privilege, wealth, generational trauma, the insidious nature of racism, and the search for identity and connection in a fractured world. The narrative weaves together magical realism and social commentary, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about American history and contemporary society.

The novel utilizes a non-linear narrative structure, jumping between the perspectives of the five cousins: Malcolm, Loretta, Frazier, Sebastian, and Marjorie. Each character's story gradually unveils pieces of the larger family narrative and their connection to a mysterious German woman who plays a crucial role in the family's past. The characters navigate issues such as addiction, mental health struggles, and the challenges of finding their place in a world shaped by the choices of previous generations.