The Great Mann

"There ain't no peacetime for the American Negro." ~ 59%

I am not a fan of retellings. I find that most are too close to the original so why bother. While others are so modernized that it's, again, why bother. The Great Gatsby is one of the few classic lit books that I enjoy re-reading every few years. So when I saw there is a new retelling set amongst L.A.'s Black elite, I could not resist reading the advance copy.

Let me set the picture for you, Bookhearts. The year is 1945. Young veteran Charlie Trammel steps off a cross-country train into Los Angeles. He is looking to settle in starting with a promising career at a Black-owned insurance firm. His cousin, Margie, introduces him to Black excellence in Sugar Hill. 

It is there that Trammel meets James "Reaper" Mann, the host of extravagant parties with guests such as Hattie McDaniel. Even though everyone keeps saying Sugar Hill is safe, tension thickens as whites become frustrated with their own dwindling fortunes while watching the Black elite thrive in a post-war America.

"Wealth's got a heartbeat." ~ 81%

The Great Mann is a retelling done right! Just enough of the original story with a unique point of view. Extravagance, lies, courtroom drama, an affair, wealth and cameos. At the heart of the story is the central theme of the American Dream, just like in The Great Gatsby. The characters and dialogue kept me so interested that I was lost in their 1940s world. Kyra Davis Lurie masterfully remixes a classic with a Black spin. Need I say more? Add to your bookshelves soon as it is available.

Happy Early Pub Day, Kyra Davis Lurie! The Great Mann will be available Tuesday, June 10.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: The Great Mann
Author: Kyra Davis Lurie
Published: June 2025
Pages: 320
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤