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.

BIO

Kyra Davis Lurie is a New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter. Her novels have been published in nine languages across six continents. Kyra was born and raised in California and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their utterly perfect dog, Potus.

REVIEWS

“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.” --Jake Tapper, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Hellfire Club and The Devil May Dance

“[Davis] Lurie’s prose is rugged and unflinching and will pull you right along—and, fortunately for us, goes on a little longer than the original.” -- Esquire

“Closely paralleling F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original novel, [Davis Lurie’s] retelling adds profound depth through social commentary with its portrayal of an affluent, Black L.A. community along with the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood.” -- Booklist

“An affecting portrait of postwar identity and class.” -- Alta

“[Davis] Lurie’s nuanced and sympathetic characters and stellar writing are nearly as brilliant as in Gatsby. . . . Literary historical fiction that will appeal to a wide audience. [Davis] Lurie is a writer to watch.” -- Library Journal, starred review

“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, internationally bestselling author of Night Will Find You

[H]  Crown Publishing Group  /  June 10, 2025

1.26" H x 9.21" L x 6.06" W (1.1 lbs) 320 pages