The Great Mann

A Novel

De: Kyra Davis Lurie

Narrado por: Ian Hackney

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.

Deep knowledge of the world involved

The characters were differentiated & believable; the world in which they inhabit became familiar over the course of the book.

The Great Gatsby with an historic look at race and class

A part of history i didn’t know about paired with a fictional story riffing on The Great Gatsby. Charlie is a “Nick” with a traumatic past because of his race and WWII experiences Mann is a Gatsby who is both naive and cunning at the same time. He doesn’t believe in humans’ ability to be awful and pays for that. There are a lot of truly reprehensible characters, but their backstories don’t make them one-sided ( except of course a couple of Good Ol Boys who will never be excused)

Hidden History of SoCal.

Captivating, while being educating. Thank you for your research and writing this piece. I loved it.

Historical facts Inventive Story

Favorite audiobook of the year .
Excellent narration.
Clever lines.
Historical references .
Intriguing plot.
Hated to end it.

Author doesn't have similar books to follow.

Well done

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Definitely add it to your reading list.

The Great Mann was a good read.

The story flowed very well. No problem with an overflow of foul language. Read it two times!

A great read

Good use of voicings for different characters. Reminded me of Walter Mosley, which is high praise from me. Fascinating slice of LA history and culture.

More than just a retelling

Real history embedded in a retelling of a classic story. Well written and a good audio.

Thought-provoking take on Gatsby

A wonderfully fresh, innovative spin on the Gatsby tale trading time and place for the west coast, Los Angeles after World War II in the community of Sugar Hill, a Black enclave. Lurie’s writing is perceptive and incisive. Hackney’s performance is rich and I’ll be looking for more titles read by him.