Nine Lives: Mystery, Magic, Death, and Life in New Orleans
The hidden history of the haunted and beloved city of New Orleans, told through the intersecting lives of nine remarkable characters.
"Nine Lives is stunning work. Dan Baum has immersed himself in New Orleans, the most fascinating city in the United States, and illuminated it in a way that is as innovative as Tom Wolfe on hot rods and Truman Capote on a pair of murderers. Full of stylistic brilliance and deep insight and an overriding compassion, Nine Lives is an instant classic of creative nonfiction." --Robert Olen Butler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
Nine Lives is a multivoiced biography of a dazzling, surreal, and imperiled city, told through the lives of nine unforgettable characters and bracketed by two epic storms: Hurricane Betsy, which transformed New Orleans in the 1960s, and Hurricane Katrina, which nearly destroyed it. Dan Baum brings this kaleidoscopic portrait to life, showing us what was lost in the storm and what remains to be saved.
A Portrait of New Orleans Through Nine Lives
This work of creative nonfiction captures the essence of New Orleans by following nine distinct individuals whose lives intersect with the city's most defining moments. From the transformation brought by Hurricane Betsy in the 1960s to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina, Baum weaves together personal narratives that reveal the soul of this haunted, beloved city.
What Makes This Book Essential Reading
Former New Yorker staff writer Dan Baum spent years immersing himself in New Orleans culture, documenting the stories that define this unique American city. Through intimate character portraits, readers gain access to the hidden history, social conditions, and cultural traditions that make New Orleans unlike any other place in the United States.
The narrative structure allows readers to experience New Orleans from multiple perspectives, creating a comprehensive understanding of the city's complexity, resilience, and transformation across decades. Each character's story illuminates different aspects of New Orleans life, from its celebrated culture to its ongoing struggles.
BONUS: This edition contains a Nine Lives discussion guide.
