Clay Cane | Burn Down Master's House

Award-winning journalist, radio host, and political analyst Clay Cane joins us to discuss his debut novel, Burn Down Master's House, a rallying cry for the disenfranchised, a reminder of the power of defiance, and a testament to the enduring spirit of resistance. A brilliant work of provocative historical fiction, it features four stories of resilience and grit, each based on the harrowing experiences of real individuals, form a single, intricate, and stunning narrative of identity, power, and resistance.

This event will take place in person and online at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they.

Luke, quick-witted and literate, and Henri, a man with a strong and defiant spirit, forge an unbreakable bond at a Virginia plantation called Magnolia Row. Both seek escape from unimaginable cruelty. And sure as the fires of hell, Luke and Henri will leave their mark, sparking resistance among the lives they touch… One is Josephine, a young, sharp, and observant girl who wields silence as her greatest weapon. A witness to Luke and Henri’s resilience, she listens, watches, waits for the moment to make her move. Then there is Charity Butler, her husband a formerly enslaved man who proved his ferocity as a young boy standing alongside Josephine. At his encouragement, Charity fights for her freedom in court and wins – only to battle a deeply unjust system designed to destroy the life they’ve built. And finally, there is Nathaniel, who ruthlessly exploits other Black people and mirrors the cruelty of the white men who, like him, are enslavers. A perversion of the system of slavery, his fragile and contradictory rule will become a catalyst of its own.

Inspired by the true stories of the profoundly courageous men and women who dared to fight back, Burn Down Master’s House is a singular tour de force of a novel—breathtaking in scope, compassion, and a timeliness that speaks powerfully to our present era

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

To view the livestream | Whether you're attending in person or online, you must register with your email address. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet/cellular connection to view the livestream.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Clay Cane is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist, radio host, and polictical analyst. More than 3 million listerners tune into The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM each week, his commentary is heard on television  networks such as ABC, MSNBC, FOX, and CNN, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, CNN.com, and BET. He is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult, Live Through This, and Burn Down Master's House. A graduate of Rutgers University, Phi Beta Kappa, with a B.A. in English and African American Studies, he lives outside of New York City. 

At this event, Clay Cane will be in conversation with NYPL Librarian Chasity Moreno. Chasity Moreno has dedicated 30 years to the New York Public Library, serving as a professional librarian for the last 20. Throughout her tenure, she has had the privilege of supporting and connecting with a diverse assortment of communities across New York City. Among her proudest accomplishments are her contributions to NYPL’s best book committees, co-hosting the Bryant Park Classic Book Club, and serving as a contributor to the NYPL book, Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers: A Little Book of Whimsy and Wisdom from the Files of the New York Public Library.

GET THE BOOK

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• This event will also include signing and sales of the book.

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• ASL interpretation and real-time captioning (CART) are available upon request. Please submit your request via this form or contact SNFL at least two weeks in advance.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

Livestream

• ASL interpretation and real-time captioning (CART) also available (see previous).


• Captions and a transcript will be provided.

CONNECT WITH US

Sign up for our e-newsletters to stay up to date on upcoming events and Library offerings.

Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email [email protected].
 

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY

The New York Public Library's free services and resources are made possible thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library. Join this group of Library lovers and take advantage of special membership benefits, like invitations to members-only virtual events, discounts at the Library Shop, and more. Join now.

All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All events at The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library are subject to recording and photography. 

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).