The Catacombs

In this genre-defying novel set in 1960s Rome, Black American expatriate Bill Demby navigates his life as a writer while attempting to craft a story about his friend Doris, who works as a handmaiden for Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of Cleopatra. As Demby's dependence on Doris grows, he becomes intricately entangled in her tumultuous affair with an Italian count, prompting a profound exploration of truth, fiction, and the complexities of human relationships amid the social upheaval of the era. This gripping narrative blends metafiction with deeply personal themes, offering a unique lens on the immigrant experience.