The Brute

"The Brute" by Frederic Arnold Kummer is a story set in early 20th century Harlem, centered on the fraught relationship of Donald and Edith Rogers, a married couple grappling with a life of poverty and their own thwarted ambitions. The novel paints a portrait of their strained interactions, with Donald dedicated to his work and Edith yearning for more beyond their limited means. As the couple navigates economic difficulties in their small apartment, Edith's longing for a better existence starts to illuminate the central conflict of their marriage, with Donald's affluent friend further challenging their bond, exposing vulnerabilities in their commitment to one another.