Book Blurb: Coming soon!
Book Buy Link: Coming this Fall!
Author Bio:
An award-winning fiction writer and poet, I'm the author of seven Martin Preuss mysteries: In the House of Night (2020), Cold Dark Lies (2019), An Uncertain Accomplice (2018), The Forgotten Child (2017), Guilt in Hiding (2016), The Baker’s Men (2014), and Crimes of Love (2011).
My newest novels, Savage City (2021) and The Arsenal of Deceit, blend history and fiction during 1932 and 1941 Detroit.
I'm also the author of The House of Grins (1992), a novel; and two books of poetry, In Praise of Old Photographs (2005) and New Year’s Tangerine (2007). My poetry and fiction have appeared in numerous print and e-journals.
At various times I have worked as a warehouseman, theatre manager, advertising copywriter, scriptwriter, video producer, and political speechwriter. I am retired dean of the faculty and Professor of English at the former Marygrove College in Detroit. I live in Ferndale, Michigan, the setting for the Preuss series.
Editorial Review:
“The Ghosts of Detroit” by Donald Levin is a captivating novel set in the 1950s, taking us
through the lives of distinct characters: Jacob Lieberman, Malone Coleman, Anna Miller, and
Bridget McManus. The book presents a gripping tale of life in Detroit during the 1950s, exploring profound themes such as racism, segregation, loss, and the struggle for
identity.
Jacob Lieberman, an artist for the Detroit News, is summoned to testify before the
Committee, where he refuses to answer incriminating questions, invoking the Fifth
Amendment. The tense scenes during the hearings are depicted with meticulous attention,
perfectly illustrating the intimidating atmosphere of those times: “John Stephens Wood
breaks in. ‘You may file your statement,’ he says. The chairman of the House Un-American
Activities Committee hearing, Wood has a lazy drawl that shows his origins in northern
Georgia. ‘I would like to read it,’ Jake says. ‘That will not be permitted.’ Wood regards Jake
with a dismissive sneer.” Jake Lieberman brings to the forefront the struggle to survive in the
declining auto industry. The description of the mostly shuttered Hudson plants and his
routine as a security guard highlights the economic uncertainty and racial and ethnic
prejudices. Levin does not hesitate to explore painful themes and illustrate his characters'
internal conflicts.
Malone Coleman, an employee at a veterans' medical center, is unjustly fired due to his
supposed association with a group of African American workers labeled as communist
sympathizers. Through his eyes, we see another face of discrimination and fear, especially
upon receiving the news of his dismissal: “Dear Mr. Coleman, It is reported that while you
were an employee of the Ford Motor Rouge Assembly Plant in 1951, you joined an
organization known as the National Negro Labor Council. […] Therefore, you have been
deemed a security risk and are hereby relieved of your position at the Allen Park Veterans
Affairs Medical Center.”
Anna Miller, a dedicated caregiver, juggles responsibilities towards Chester Glowaki, an
adult with intellectual disabilities, and her own aspirations, providing a humane and
empathetic contrast in the story. Her day-to-day life and natural dialogues add an authentic
touch to the novel: “Anna Miller makes a sound she hopes Chester will take for interest. ‘He
hit .306, best on the team,’ Chester goes on. ‘Ray Boone was next, with .285. But Boone hit
the most RBIs, eighty-five. Also the most home runs, twenty. Kuenn had the most hits,
though. Eighty-one!’”
Anna Miller offers a perspective on the daily life of a woman juggling multiple jobs to make
ends meet. Her routine is described with poignant realism. Her relationship with Chester and
interactions with other residents reflect the complexity of life in Detroit and the struggles
faced by ordinary people.
Bridget McManus, a strong and dedicated woman working in the Women's Division of the
Detroit Police Department, is called to investigate the disappearance and death of a young
boy found in a garbage dump, with a small firearm embedded in his skull. The discovery of
the mutilated body is a disturbing scene, and the investigation reveals shocking details of the
child's sexual abuse. Bridget is determined but burdened by the gender norms of the time,
forced to collaborate with a male officer to continue her investigation. Bridget McManus, the
detective handling missing children cases, adds suspense and drama to the novel. Her
investigations in Chandler Park are fraught with tension and empathy. The gruesome details
and the pain of loss are handled delicately, reflecting the realism and gravity of the situations
encountered.
The case of Floyd Williams, a troubled teenager, highlights the psychological complexity of
juvenile criminals. Bridget interrogates Floyd after finding a blood-stained jacket under his
bed. The boy's confession about killing a girl is recounted with chilling detachment,
highlighting his lack of empathy and remorse. Through Floyd, the author explores themes of
alienation and dehumanization, underscoring the profound impact of abuse and neglect on
vulnerable youth.
Malone's story intertwines with the struggles for workers' rights, supported by activists like
Coleman Young. This is an example of how Levin weaves personal and social history,
creating a rich portrait of Detroit's African American community.
Fred does not directly appear in the present action of the novel but is presented through
memories and influences on other characters, especially on Selma and her adjustment to life
without him. As Anna spends more time with Selma, her complaints diminish, and she
begins to talk about her life, which proves to be much more interesting than Anna had
expected. The characters are well-developed, with distinctive traits and voices. Anna Miller
and Selma are two central characters with notable developments within the story. Their
growth is detailed and believable, reflecting the impact of events on their personalities and
relationships with others.
“Not that they’re okay with colored people living anywhere nearby—they aren’t. Anna has
heard too many times from Dottie and all the neighbors how 'the coloreds' are lazy, dirty,
shiftless, and so on. If they would just keep to their own kind, Dottie and her neighbors insist,
all would be well.” This sentence perfectly illustrates the tense atmosphere of Detroit at the
time, where racial prejudices and tensions between communities were commonplace. The
author succeeds in highlighting not only the overt conflicts but also the subtleties of human
relationships and how they are influenced by the city's social and historical context.
"The Ghosts of Detroit" by Donald Levin is a captivating book that goes beyond recounting
individual stories, offering a profound and provocative portrayal of life in a city filled with
contradictions and dramatic changes. The author manages to create complex and authentic
characters whose lives and struggles linger in the reader's mind long after finishing the book.
The novel explores the fears, hopes, and struggle for dignity of people caught in the
whirlwind of history. The stories of characters like Jake, Malone, and Anna underscore not
only the devastating consequences of intolerance and suspicion but also the remarkable
human resilience in the face of adversity.In a coherent portrait of a declining city populated
by vulnerable yet strong characters, "The Ghosts of Detroit" delves into human depths with
remarkable introspection and harsh realism. Each character becomes a symbol of their past
and the city's influence on their lives, capturing the complex and sometimes tragic essence
of life in Detroit. Donald Levin masterfully weaves these diverse stories into a compelling
narrative that reveals dark depths of the human soul. As Detroit faces rapid decline, the book
offers a profound perspective on the economic and social issues confronting the community,
presenting vivid and complex portraits of characters from a turbulent historical period.
"The Ghosts of Detroit" is a remarkable novel that not only explores individual destinies but
also analyzes the broader impact of social and economic changes on a community. Through
powerful and poignant storytelling, Donald Levin captures the resilient spirit of the people of
Detroit, offering a deep and engaging read.
*****
“The Ghosts of Detroit” by Donald Levin receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
Hozzászólások