cover image Ville CL

Ville CL

Greg Donaldson. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), $22.95 (401pp) ISBN 978-0-395-63315-1

``The Ville'' is the name given by residents to the two-square mile area encompassing parts of the Brownsville and East New York sections of Brooklyn, N.Y. Once heavily Jewish, now populated almost exclusively by African Americans and Hispanics, the community contains 21 housing projects and has the highest murder rate in the city. Donaldson, a longtime teacher in Brooklyn's inner-city schools, has composed a powerful, searing look at Gary Lemite, a brave and dedicated Housing Authority police officer who tries to stem the tide of crack and guns in the area, and Sharron Corley, a talented and handsome teenager, who is hoping to escape the neighborhood of which he is very much a product. Donaldson captures unforgettably the despair and resignation of the residents, especially the younger ones, who may be shot at any moment and wage a desperate, unending battle to create an image and gain respect. He also depicts two educators who struggle to keep students from sliding into hopelessness. Donaldson's insightful analysis and deep human understanding make this a memorable book. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)