Kingdom of No Tomorrow

In this vivacious drama from Josaphat (Dancing in the Baron’s Shadow), a Haitian-born woman weighs her plans for medical school against her growing involvement with the Black Panther Party in 1968 Oakland. As a premed student, Nettie Boileau volunteers at a hospital where she cares for people with sickle cell anemia, all of whom are Black. Her father was killed in Haiti while protesting the regime, and Nettie feels drawn to the Black Panthers after she’s introduced to the group by her best friend, Clia. After joining, Nettie falls in love with Melvin, a high-ranking party member, but is torn by a longing to fulfill her family’s wishes that she become a doctor, as well as by her desire for Clia. Josaphat fills the pages with vivid depictions of historical figures such as Stokely Carmichael, whose speech during a rally to free Huey Newton solidifies Nettie’s resolve to join the party, and explores the stark reality of what it was like for the Black Panthers to live under the constant threat of infiltration and violence from law enforcement. This dynamic and layered novel offers much to admire. Agent: Charlotte Gusay, Charlotte Gusay Literary. (Dec.)