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The alchemy of noise, a novel, Lorraine Devon Wilke

eng

no index present

fiction

The alchemy of noise

Lorraine Devon Wilke

a novel

In a world so full of lonely people and broken hearts, Chris Hawkins, a black sound engineer from Chicagos south side, and Sidonie Framewhite, suburban-raised, the head manager of one of the citys most elite venues meet by work-related happenstance and fall quickly in love, convinced that by that act alone they can inspire peace, joy, and happiness in the world around them. The world, however, has other ideas. Their meeting is serendipitous. Chris, who owns and runs his company, largely spends his time surrounded by members of his own community; Sidonie, conversely, is rarely outside the environs of work and its predominantly white staff and clientele. But when the clubs sound manager goes AWOL on the night of a big event and Chris is hired to come in as a last-minute replacement, their destinies collide. Immediately drawn to each other, they fall quickly into an unexpected and thrilling relationship, inspiring myriad reactions amongst family and friends on both sides of the racial divide. But even as their love story evolves, day-to-day tensions, police disruptions, and the microaggressions Chris constantly encounters as a black man in the gritty environs of Chicago become a cultural flashpoint, challenging Sidonies privileged worldview and Chriss ability to translate the unfolding events. After a random and gut-wrenching series of police encounters shakes their resilience, its the shattering circumstance of a violent arrestone in which Chris is identified as a serial vandal and potential rapistthat sends their world into free fall. He claims his innocence; she believes him. But the forces pushing against them are many and oppressive. With a looming trial, the dissipating loyalties of key allies, and unforeseen twists triggering doubt and suspicion, Sidonie and Chris are driven to question what they really know of each other and just whom to trust, leading to a powerful and emotional conclusion