The Record Keeper

Starred review from April 15, 2019
Gomillion debuts with a gut-punch Afrofuturist novel that examines the incalculable damage systemic racism wreaks on individuals and societies, and the many forms liberation can take. Sometime in the future, in the aftermath of WWIII, societies enforce peace through rigidly controlled racial hierarchies. That control includes using medication to erase the memories of the less privileged. Born in the remnants of America, Arika Cobane inhabits the upper echelons of the race of dark-skinned laborers known as the Kongo, trained by her white teachers to be a record keeper and write false histories that reinforce social norms. As rumors spread of rebels challenging the state’s authority, a new Kongo student, Hosea Khan, enters Arika’s class, shocking her by openly questioning the violence committed against the Kongo people on the pretext of upholding peace. Arika helps Hosea nurse injured laborers, confronts her complicity in the structures of power that perpetuate the Kongo’s enslavement, and devotes herself to tearing those structures apart, starting by leading an uprising against the school’s teachers and administrators. This intellectually rich, emotional, and ruthlessly honest confrontation of racism proves Gomillion is a critically important new voice.

May 1, 2019
In a sea of dystopian, post-apocalyptic future tales, The Record Keeper stands out. Gomillion's background and advocacy shines through in her debut novel, which paints a stark picture of a divided, authoritarian country that became a world power under the guise of maintaining peace, while calling attention to the very real dark history and current racial problems in the real world. The ruling class reigns with an iron fist, so any type of dissent?including acting out of turn?results in extremely harsh punishments, all to maintain the status quo. Arika Cobane is not your typical protagonist, as she often acts in her own interest rather than like a typical revolutionary, although there will be some elements familiar to fans of the dystopian genre. Arika slowly grows as she questions her beliefs, and while she often makes misguided decisions, readers will cheer as she ultimately triumphs over her dysfunctional upbringing. The Record Keeper will appeal to both young adult and adult readers; it is appropriate for high school students but has plenty of elements to keep adult readers engaged.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)