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The Great Mann

A Novel

Author Kyra Davis Lurie
Ebook (EPUB)
Crown
On sale Jun 10, 2025 | 320 Pages | 9780593800874
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
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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.
“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, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Hellfire Club and The Devil May Dance

“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. The Great Mann is an instant classic, a book that opens our eyes to a glittering and significant part of American history.”—Julia Heaberlin, internationally bestselling author of Night Will Find You

“The Great Mann is wildly original and energetic, crammed with characters who stand out fully formed and memorable on their own. And at the same enthralling time, it exposes us to an overlooked piece of American history.”—Howard Blum, New York Times bestselling author of When the Night Comes Falling, Dark Invasion, and The Last Goodnight

“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, New York Times bestselling author of The Rewind

“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, New York Times bestselling author of The Nesting Dolls and Go On Pretending

“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, award-winning author of the Cass Raines and Detective Harriet Foster series

“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, author of Missing White Woman

“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, author of The Perfect Affair

“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, author of The Secret of Magic

“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, author of Fake Like Me
© Yvette Roman
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. View titles by Kyra Davis Lurie

About

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.

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 decades before the civil rights era took hold.”—Jake Tapper, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of The Hellfire Club and The Devil May Dance

“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. The Great Mann is an instant classic, a book that opens our eyes to a glittering and significant part of American history.”—Julia Heaberlin, internationally bestselling author of Night Will Find You

“The Great Mann is wildly original and energetic, crammed with characters who stand out fully formed and memorable on their own. And at the same enthralling time, it exposes us to an overlooked piece of American history.”—Howard Blum, New York Times bestselling author of When the Night Comes Falling, Dark Invasion, and The Last Goodnight

“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, New York Times bestselling author of The Rewind

“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, New York Times bestselling author of The Nesting Dolls and Go On Pretending

“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, award-winning author of the Cass Raines and Detective Harriet Foster series

“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, author of Missing White Woman

“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, author of The Perfect Affair

“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, author of The Secret of Magic

“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, author of Fake Like Me

Author

© Yvette Roman
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. View titles by Kyra Davis Lurie

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