White Lightning

"White Lightning" by Edwin Herbert Lewis is a coming-of-age story set in early 20th-century Chicago, following Marvin Mahan, a bright and inquisitive twelve-year-old with a passion for science and chemistry. The novel opens with Marvin's fascination with the elements, particularly his eagerness to understand and create hydrogen, setting the stage for a journey full of scientific exploration and life lessons. The narrative explores the influences of his father, Chase Mahan, a mining engineer, and the dynamics of family, intellectual curiosity, and the social atmosphere of a rapidly changing America, hinting at the challenges and growth that lie ahead for young Marvin.