Moon and the Mars

Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1857-1863 New York City, this novel explores the city's unfolding societal tensions and the shifting attitudes toward race and slavery through the perspective of Theo, a young mixed-race girl. As she navigates life in the Five Points neighborhood amid events like P.T. Barnum's circus and the Draft Riots, readers gain an intimate view of a pivotal period in American history. Praised for its profound social insight and compelling storytelling, this debut by Corthron offers a sweeping and thought-provoking look at love, identity, and change in a fractured nation.