American Fiction 2023

Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, an astute African-American professor and writer based in Los Angeles, struggles with his career. Despite earning accolades for his work, his novels fail to resonate with readers, leading to the rejection of his latest manuscript for not catering enough to racial expectations. Facing setbacks at his university due to his confrontational approach regarding race with students, he is advised to take a break by attending a literary seminar and reconnecting with family in Boston.

During the seminar, Monk encounters a stark contrast between himself and the successful Sintara Golden, who attracts a large audience with her book We’s Lives in Da Ghetto, which he perceives as a reinforcement of negative stereotypes. Back home, he deepens his relationship with his mother, Agnes Ellison, who is beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s, and his sister Lisa Ellison, a dedicated physician. Tragedy strikes when Lisa suffers a heart attack and passes away, leading to the return of Monk’s estranged brother, Cliff Ellison.

Cliff, now a divorced plastic surgeon entangled in a life of addiction and fleeting relationships, complicates Monk’s already tumultuous family dynamics. As he navigates his grief, Monk begins a romance with Coraline, a lawyer from across the street. Driven by frustration over Sintara’s triumph and the financial strain of caring for his mother, Monk pens My Pafology, a satire that critiques the typical narratives surrounding black authors — filled with deadbeat dads and gang violence. To his surprise, when he submits it in an act of defiance, he is offered a staggering $750,000 advance and is encouraged by his agent Arthur to adopt the alter ego of “Stagg R. Leigh.”

As “Stagg,” Monk finds himself entangled in the world of publishing and even lands a movie deal from producer Wiley. Yet, his bold demands, including changing his book’s title to “Fuck,” are met with unexpected acceptance. Reluctantly drawn into a judging role for a literary award — a concept aimed at diversifying selections — Monk faces off against Sintara and discovers a shared conviction with her, despite their differing opinions on each other’s work.

As circumstances unfold, Agnes transitions to an assisted-living facility, and Cliff’s reckless behavior resurfaces, stressing the fragile fabric of their family. Monk faces the ambiguity of his identity when Fuck becomes a blockbuster, while Coraline and Cliff remain blissfully unaware of his secret. The novel becomes a subject of discussion at the Literary Award, leading Monk to confront his own work amidst the panel’s diverse perceptions.

With the spotlight on him, Monk must reconcile his feelings about his book, Sintara’s motivations, and his own struggles, especially when Coraline expresses her enjoyment of Fuck. Their disagreement culminates in a heated argument that ends their relationship. The award ceremony reveals the truth that Monk has been living a dual existence as he steps onto the stage to share a confession.

The narrative concludes with a twist as it turns out that the entire story has been Monk’s screenplay, crafted for Wiley as an alternative to the film adaptation of Fuck. Though he remains separated from Coraline, Monk’s journey is far from over as he contemplates new endings and the paths forward for his life and work, driving off with Cliff into an uncertain future.