Welcome to Litsy!

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.