I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends

Desperately working on a good, descriptive logline for the story (see below). Criteria: no longer than 300 words, briefly describes the book’s plot and main characters; outlines the conflicts they face; gives a sense of setting, tone and pace of the book; and describes the underlying theme of the book.

PLEASE comment, good, bad or indifferent. All suggestions will be gratefully considered and possibly rewarded.

Set in the turbulent summer before John Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, The Long Black Veil tells the story of Jamie Delacroix, a self-assured Southern drifter who has spent the past decade running from family and emotional ties. Used to getting what he wants, especially from women, Jamie finds himself drawn into the life of a small northern town when befriended by colored musician Calvin Lewis, and Jane Novotny, a young white girl. Jamie enjoys the camaraderie of his new friends and his status as a new face in town — until he discovers Calvin’s interracial love affair with Jane’s mother, Eve. Unwilling to complicate his life, Jamie puts aside his concern for Jane and vows to keep silent, but Calvin’s wrongful arrest for murder forces Jamie to act, first as a go-between for Calvin and his lover, and then as a courier for the bribe that frees Calvin. To help the young man, however, Jamie must alienate Jane. Caught between Eve and Calvin’s passion, his desire to protect himself, and his unexpected, unwanted affection for Jane, he acts too late to save his friend. Jamie decides to flee town once more, but with one difference — he can’t leave without reconciling with Jane. In his desire to live up to the unconditional faith the little girl shows in him, Jamie at last finds hope for his own redemption.

OR

In the turbulent summer before John Kennedy’s 1963 assassination, Southern drifter Jamie Delacroix finds himself stranded in a small northern town where a colored musician and a young white girl become his unlikely rescuers. Through Calvin Lewis and his connection to the Novotnys, Jamie finds a place to live and a job, as well as a growing friendship with the colored man. Jane Novotny insinuates herself into Jamie’s life through the shared dumbwaiter in their apartment building, and though he does his best to avoid emotional entanglements, his growing sympathy for the little girl’s intense loneliness makes it hard to turn her away. But secure in the knowledge he’ll move on again as soon as his car is fixed, Jamie enjoys his new friends and his status as the handsome stranger in town — until he discovers Calvin is having an affair with Eve Novotny. Unwilling to complicate his life, Jamie puts aside his concern for Jane and vows to keep silent, but Calvin’s wrongful arrest for murder forces Jamie to act. Caught between Eve and Calvin’s desperate passion, his desire to protect himself, and his unexpected, unwanted affection for Jane, Jamie struggles to save them all, but the little girl’s unwavering belief saves Jamie instead. Guilt-stricken when he’s unable to help his friend, Jamie leaves town, but he carries Jane’s unconditional love for him, and through his faith in her, finds hope.