My Bright Midnight (Yellow Shoe Fiction)
Part of Louisiana State’s Yellow Book Fiction series of paperback originals, this short historical novel is set in Munich and New Orleans, begins in the aftermath of WWI, and ends during WWII. Walter Schmidt is a sad sack who robs his Nazi-sympathizing boss and heads for points west. Upon his arrival in the Big Easy, he is taken in by the louche lifestyle, the great food, and (Prohibition notwithstanding) the abundant booze. A period of prolonged social isolation ends when he is befriended by a petty criminal who dupes Walt but introduces him to his future wife, Nadine. The first-person narration (from Walt’s point of view) will lead readers to recognize his increasing disillusionment and self-reflection. Through Walt’s musings, Russell examines an ordinary person’s fall from grace followed by the possibility of future redemption. The violent climax; the straightforward, often lyrical style; and the depiction of blue-collar lives will thrill fans of southern gothic writing, especially appealing to fans of Larry Brown and Robert Olmstead. --Ellen Loughran