“A rich, oozing story, seeping through generations. Huebert's prose is clever and musical, urgent yet subtle. A great accomplishment of eco-fiction, Oil People is an exciting novelistic debut, blending Huebert's signature voice—fresh and unpredictable—with Canadian literary tradition.”
—Fawn Parker, author of What We Both Know

"As hypnotic and shimmering as the oil at its heart, David Huebert's Oil People brings to life the dark family saga of the Armbruster clan, and the beautiful, poisonous lands they claim as their own. This is a dazzling debut."
—Steven Price, author of Lampedusa

“In Oil People, family legacies collide with the ruthless grip of petroleum, land, and greed. History unfolds across generations in this luminous debut novel, weaving a tale of power, secrets, and the haunting allure of oil. Set against the backdrop of Lambton County's vintage oil farm, the Armbruster family grapples with the weight of their legacy. In the late eighties, thirteen-year-old Jade navigates the turmoil of her parents' struggle to save their failing business and the perilous dynamics of teenagehood while uncovering the unsettling truths hidden beneath the oil-soaked soil. Meanwhile, more than a century prior, Clyde Armbruster's discovery of oil propels his family into wealth and opportunity. But the consequences of their prosperity cast a long shadow, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. Through taut and intricate storytelling, Huebert masterfully weaves a tale of haunting proportions—one where the spectre isn't solely supernatural but also dark legacy of greed and ambition.”
—Francesca Ekwuyasi, author of Butter Honey Pig Bread