In this poignant retelling of The Great Gatsby, set amongst L.A.’s Black elite, a young veteran finds his way post-war, pulled into a new world of tantalizing possibilities—and explosive tensions.
AN ESQUIRE BEST BOOK OF SUMMER
In 1945, Charlie Trammell steps off a cross-country train into the vibrant tapestry of Los Angeles. Lured by his cousin Marguerite’s invitation to the esteemed West Adams Heights, Charlie is immediately captivated by the Black opulence of L.A.’s newly rechristened ‘Sugar Hill.’
Settling in at a local actress’s energetic boarding house, Charlie discovers a different way of life—one brimming with opportunity—from a promising career at a Black-owned insurance firm, the absence of Jim Crow, to the potential of an unforgettable romance. But nothing dazzles quite like James ‘Reaper’ Mann.
Reaper’s extravagant parties, attended by luminaries like Lena Horne and Hattie McDaniel, draw Charlie in, bringing the milieu of wealth and excess within his reach. But as Charlie’s unusual bond with Reaper deepens, so does the tension in the neighborhood as white neighbors, frustrated by their own dwindling fortunes, ignite a landmark court case that threatens the community’s well-being with promises of retribution.
Told from the unique perspective of a young man who has just returned from a grueling, segregated war, The Great Mann weaves a compelling narrative of wealth and class, illuminating the complexities of Black identity and education in post-war America.
Genre: Historical
AN ESQUIRE BEST BOOK OF SUMMER
In 1945, Charlie Trammell steps off a cross-country train into the vibrant tapestry of Los Angeles. Lured by his cousin Marguerite’s invitation to the esteemed West Adams Heights, Charlie is immediately captivated by the Black opulence of L.A.’s newly rechristened ‘Sugar Hill.’
Settling in at a local actress’s energetic boarding house, Charlie discovers a different way of life—one brimming with opportunity—from a promising career at a Black-owned insurance firm, the absence of Jim Crow, to the potential of an unforgettable romance. But nothing dazzles quite like James ‘Reaper’ Mann.
Reaper’s extravagant parties, attended by luminaries like Lena Horne and Hattie McDaniel, draw Charlie in, bringing the milieu of wealth and excess within his reach. But as Charlie’s unusual bond with Reaper deepens, so does the tension in the neighborhood as white neighbors, frustrated by their own dwindling fortunes, ignite a landmark court case that threatens the community’s well-being with promises of retribution.
Told from the unique perspective of a young man who has just returned from a grueling, segregated war, The Great Mann weaves a compelling narrative of wealth and class, illuminating the complexities of Black identity and education in post-war America.
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"Kyra Davis Lurie sprinkles Hollywood fairy dust over a classic tale of careless people and boats beating against the tide. Shining a spotlight on an aspect of African American history few know, much less believe, ever existed." - Alina Adams
"In this rich, bittersweet novel, Kyra Davis Lurie lights up the golden age of Hollywood in full, glorious color. The Great Mann will steal your heart." - Barbara Bourland
"Davis Lurie's The Great Mann takes The Great Gatsby and reenvisions it with a shiny new twist. Two thumbs up aren't enough. Brava!" - Tracy Clark
"The Great Mann is the perfect companion to The Great Gatsby, wrapping real-life American history in a story that's as much hopeful as it is heartbreaking - it's a must-read." - Kellye Garrett
"Davis Lurie has pulled off a masterpiece in this profound and deeply human retelling of a time and place in 1940s Los Angeles where the Black elite explored life, love, art, and identity." - Julia Heaberlin
"Kyra Davis Lurie takes readers on a journey that blends historical facts and fiction so well that you'll have difficulty deciding what's real. This is an unforgettable read that will challenge, move, and enlighten you." - Angela Henry
"The Great Mann is a power-filled reimaging of Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This is a poignant novel - of love, mystery, and a microcosm of the changes starting to take hold in mid-century America." - Deborah Johnson
"A fresh, exhilarating take on The Great Gatsby, The Great Mann is a pitch-perfect reinvention of a story you thought you already knew. Davis Lurie expertly dissects class, wealth, race, fame, and more, and in doing so, creates a classic of her own." - Allison Winn Scotch
"The Great Mann is an entertaining and poignant story of love, rivalry, friendship, ambition, and a nuanced exploration of the pursuit of the American dream decades before the civil rights era took hold." - Jake Tapper
"In this rich, bittersweet novel, Kyra Davis Lurie lights up the golden age of Hollywood in full, glorious color. The Great Mann will steal your heart." - Barbara Bourland
"Davis Lurie's The Great Mann takes The Great Gatsby and reenvisions it with a shiny new twist. Two thumbs up aren't enough. Brava!" - Tracy Clark
"The Great Mann is the perfect companion to The Great Gatsby, wrapping real-life American history in a story that's as much hopeful as it is heartbreaking - it's a must-read." - Kellye Garrett
"Davis Lurie has pulled off a masterpiece in this profound and deeply human retelling of a time and place in 1940s Los Angeles where the Black elite explored life, love, art, and identity." - Julia Heaberlin
"Kyra Davis Lurie takes readers on a journey that blends historical facts and fiction so well that you'll have difficulty deciding what's real. This is an unforgettable read that will challenge, move, and enlighten you." - Angela Henry
"The Great Mann is a power-filled reimaging of Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. This is a poignant novel - of love, mystery, and a microcosm of the changes starting to take hold in mid-century America." - Deborah Johnson
"A fresh, exhilarating take on The Great Gatsby, The Great Mann is a pitch-perfect reinvention of a story you thought you already knew. Davis Lurie expertly dissects class, wealth, race, fame, and more, and in doing so, creates a classic of her own." - Allison Winn Scotch
"The Great Mann is an entertaining and poignant story of love, rivalry, friendship, ambition, and a nuanced exploration of the pursuit of the American dream decades before the civil rights era took hold." - Jake Tapper
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