Review: The Great Mann by Kyra Davis Lurie

The Great Mann by Kyra Davis Lurie

Blurb from Goodreads:

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.

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.

 This was fine - another Gatsby retelling and it was certainly faithful to the original.  The setting was good and could have worked but I found myself a bit bored.  I wanted to love this one and just didn't even though I think it was really well done.  I think the writing could have been a bit more fantastical and pretty, if that makes sense.  However, if you love the original, I would certainly recommend this one!!

The Great Mann comes out next week on June 10, 2025, and you can purchase HERE.  

"The way I talk ain't got nothin' to do with my intelligence or my education. It's a marker of where I'm from. As my mama always says, only the most vacuous and ignominious of men try to act like they're from somewhere they ain't." 

The corners of her mouth twitch. "Your mama says that?"

"No, 'course not. My mama probably thinks vacuous is the latest model of Hoover. But I'm trying to make a point."