Dig, by A.S. King, follows a group of teens and an elderly couple: the Shoveler, the Freak, CanIhelpyou?, Loretta the Flea-Circus Ring Mistress, First-Class Malcom, and Gottfriend and Marla Hemmings. Their stories seem unrelated, however throughout the story, clues relating the group are sprinkled.

The story was a rollercoaster that I quite enjoyed riding. The book had its ‘what is happening this does not make sense I can no longer watch’ moments, but it also had its ‘this is so deep I think I am beginning to see the change we need to make as a society and also I really hope this all works out’ moments. Aren’t books supposed to make you feel and think? Dig did. This story made me squirm, smile, frown, laugh, and gasp. It left me thinking…always thinking.

King, in the acknowledgments, said, “This book is supposed to be uncomfortable. I’d apologize, but I’m not sorry.” And it is. It’s hard to read some of the pages, to prevent yourself from erasing the images from your mind. King yanks you out of your comfort zone and leaves you there even after the last page. 

Dig is so different from other YA novels. It’s not in the same plane. The style of writing is unique, as is the way it addresses issues.

The novel is about privilege, racism, violence, secrets, and family. King does not tell you the lesson of the story, nor does she lead you there. She makes you work for it, think about what all she wrote really means. As the message forms in your mind, it becomes unmistakable and unforgettable. 

To read this book, you need to be willing, willing to open your mind and see the world as it is, and as it was. There is no half-reading. One sentence missed and nothing will make sense. The story is messy, a strand of thoughts glued together. But the messiness is what makes it great.

I loved the book because it was interesting. It wasn’t the same thing I had read a million times before. It had switching perspectives, more than one story-line, and lots of mystery. 

Dig is an important book, and an interesting one. It’s hard to put into words, so I recommend just reading it. Give it a chance- you won’t be disappointed. 

Catherine’s Score: 5/5