457 - In With The Goths

The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines. The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community. The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life. The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis[2][4][5].

The book delves into the bitter conflict in Northern Ireland and its aftermath, focusing on the lives of key figures such as Dolours Price, Brendan Hughes, Gerry Adams, and Jean McConville's children. It explores the civil rights movement, the Provisional IRA's bombing campaign, the 1981 hunger strike, the peace process, and the post-conflict struggle to understand crimes like McConville's murder. The narrative also incorporates the Belfast Project, a secret oral history endeavor that collected stories from former IRA members. The book is a panoramic history that captures the complexities and tragic consequences of the Troubles[1][2][5].

The Autobiography of Medgar Evers, co-written by his wife Myrlie Evers-Williams and historian Manning Marable, offers a powerful and intimate portrait of a civil rights hero. It combines Medgar's own writings and speeches with historical context, providing a comprehensive account of his life and activism in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. The book details his experiences with racism, his unwavering commitment to social justice, and his ultimate assassination. It serves as a testament to his courage and a crucial historical document of the civil rights movement. The book also highlights the strength and resilience of Myrlie Evers-Williams in her fight for justice.

Riley MacPherson returns to her childhood home in North Carolina after her father's death to settle his estate. There, she uncovers evidence that challenges her long-held belief that her older sister Lisa committed suicide as a teenager. Instead, she learns that Lisa is alive and has been living under a new identity. As Riley delves deeper into the past, she discovers that Lisa was accused of murdering her violin teacher and that their father, a former U.S. Marshal, helped her fake her own death. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the bonds among siblings as Riley navigates her newfound reality and the secrets that have been kept from her for so long.