Tattered Coat by Mike H. Mizrahi

A tense Tennessee drama set in the early 20th century, Tattered Coat by Mike H. Mizrahi is a powerful tale of Southern justice, racism, truth, and courage.

A ten-year-old already scarred by too much trauma and loss, Hickory Crabtree is the only witness to the violent murder of a young white woman in the woods. To save a wrongfully accused black musician from an inevitable lynching, Hickory must find his voice, speak truth to power, and overcome a lifetime of fear. Exploring not only the twisted tools of injustice that define America’s past, this book also strikes a contemporary chord, as profiling and systemic racism remain alive and well in the United States.

Deeply colored by flawless colloquial language, the prose is instantly immersive, while the shifts between multiple perspectives are smooth and distinct for each narrative voice. Seeing this story unfold from so many viewpoints offers a three-dimensional glimpse of Charles Washington’s family and soul, as well as the emotional toll that such tragedies can bring to a community. With a pastoral style reminiscent of Thomas Wolfe, and the multi-generational complexity of Faulkner, Mizrahi draws readers into this story with every line.

Carefully edited for grammatical accuracy and tonal authenticity, this novel tackles some of the hardest truths of American history with grace, nuance, and righteous anger.

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