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

Where to begin with a novel that had loads of potential, but fell short?

First off, “Dig” by A.S. King features an ensemble cast of characters facing their own internal and external struggles. Each chapter switches points of view, allowing the reader plenty of opportunities to learn about and follow all of the characters.

The novel’s intended to center around the issue of white supremacy. However, the plot lines never exactly stuck with it. Instead, we see chapter after chapter of unbridled family dysfunction at its finest.

The prose was clunky at times; sporadic sentences required two or three rereads in order to be understood, which interrupted the reading flow at times. Also, some of the major metaphors did not make much sense. If a book is in any way confusing, then disappointment to me follows closely behind. 

King, in the acknowledgements, noted the hard-to-read-through moments that arose in the pages. The novel is unlike other YA books in that regard (and with the plot in general), but some scenes and details were too outlandish and uncomfortable for my taste. 

Lastly, the ending felt slightly rushed and abrupt; nothing memorable or extraordinary stemmed from it. 

If a reader wants something unique and different to read, “Dig” is the perfect choice. If not, then this book should be skipped. 

Daniel’s rating: 2.5/5