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Dominion: A Novel

A Must-Read: People, NPR, Vulture, Literary Hub, The Millions, Garden & Gun, Goodreads
Long-Listed for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
Winner of the O. Henry Prize for “That Girl”
An Indies Introduce and Indie Next Pick
A Publishers Weekly Writer to Watch

In this taut Southern family drama, the sins of a favorite son rock a small Mississippi town.

Reverend Sabre Winfrey, Jr., shepherd of the Seven Seals Missionary Baptist Church, believes in God, his own privilege, and enterprise. He owns the barbershop and the radio station, and generally keeps an iron hand on every aspect of society in Dominion, Mississippi. He and his wife, Priscilla, have five boys; the youngest, Emanuel, is called Wonderboy—no one sings prettier, runs as fast, or turns as many heads. But Wonderboy, his father, and all the structures in place that keep them on top are not as righteous as they seem to be. And when Wonderboy is caught off guard by an encounter with a stranger, he finds himself confronted by questions he’d never imagined. His response sends shock waves through the entire community.

Priscilla and Diamond, two women who love these men, bear witness to their charms and bear the brunt of their choices. Through their eyes and their stories, Dominion offers an intricate, intimate view of how secrets control us, how shame stifles us, how silence implicates us, and how even love plays a role in the everyday violence and casual sins of the powerful.

A brilliantly crafted Black Southern family drama told with the captivating force, humor, and tenderness carried in the hearts of these women, Addie E. Citchens’s Dominion wrestles with the many brutal, sinister ways in which we are shaped by fear and patriarchy, and studies how we might yet choose to break free.

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Published Aug 19, 2025

240 pages

Average rating: 8.92

12 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

@sweettea_and_a_book
Sep 30, 2025
9/10 stars
“𝐓𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧.” Dominion is a highly entertaining story of hypocritical church folk that really packed a punch. I mean one would THINK that Christians would have a light that shines goodness and the fruits of the spirit....well, that doesn't always happen (as we see daily IRL). Wolves in sheep’s clothing… What better way to learn about a man than through the lens of his mother and the woman who loves him? Both have very different ideals of Wonderboy. Sure, he's handsome, charismatic and a dynamic football player, but there's also something more conniving about him, but both ladies view him with rose colored glasses, turning a blind eye to things they don't want to see. The story is short, but rich, and leaves a lasting impression! Kitchens delivers a flourish of sharp wit, impeccable irony, and high drama, which brings the story to life. Every time the announcer said, “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell somebody about The One who can save everybody” I thought about my dad because he sings that often! The full cast narration performance was stellar and engaging! Bahni Turpin's narrations of deep Southern characters are my absolute favorite. Dion Graham voice is perfect in any story! And this was my first time hearing Angel Pean, but she did a great job as Diamond! They really amplified the story off the pages. I know that this would be an excellent, binge worthy Netflix series! “People rarely just snap and do crazy shit. What look like a snap to other people was actually an erosion of the surfaces that we built up for protection. Unfortunately, people would rather dwell on the snap than the wearing.” “Dangerous women have the power to make men risk it all. They brought men to their knees. What was the source of that power? Did I have it? Did I want? Should I want it?” ((Yes!))
Lesjags
Sep 19, 2025
10/10 stars
This was a page Turner, finished in one day!

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