The Blueprintis an astounding work, an unflinching portrait of misogyny and racism in a speculative world terrifyingly close to our own. Rae Giana Rashad chronicles the generational ghosts of womanhood, and how we understand ourselves through the stories of those we come from, in a way Ive never read before. A remarkable new talent, and a timeless literary voice.Ashley Audrain,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Push

In the vein of Octavia E. Butler and Margaret Atwood, a harrowing novel set in an alternate United Statesa world of injustice and bondage in which a young Black woman becomes the concubine of a powerful white government official and must face the dangerous consequences.

Solenne Bonet lives in Texas where choice no longer exists. An algorithm determines a Black womans occupation, spouse, and residence. Solenne finds solace in penning the biography of Henriette, an ancestor whod been an enslaved concubine to a wealthy planter in 1800s Louisiana. But history repeats itself when Solenne, lonely and nave, finds herself entangled with Bastien Martin, a high-ranking government official. Solenne finds the psychological bond unbearable, so she considers alternatives.With Henriette as her guide, she must decide whether and how to leave behind all she knows.

Inspired by the lives of enslaved concubines to U.S. politicians and planters,The Blueprintunfolds over dual timelines to explore bodily autonomy, hypocrisy, and power imbalances through the lens of the nations most unprotected: a Black girl.