For many years, residents of Chicago have come to know Dawn Turner through her unique perspective on the city. She offered a fresh view unburdened by preconceived notions. Over two decades, Turner contributed to the Chicago Tribune as a reporter and columnist, focusing on topics like race, class, and gender. Her roots in the South Side, rich in family and community, provided a lens through which she explored prevailing attitudes and the reasons behind them.
Books Reflecting a Lifelong Inquiry
Turner’s investigative approach is evident in her books as well. Her debut novel, “Only Twice I’ve Wished for Heaven,” presents a fictional narrative centered on growing up on Chicago’s South Side in the 1970s. She wrote the book using a Zenith laptop during her commute from the south suburbs to the Tribune Tower. Her second novel, “An Eighth of August,” explores the story of an Illinois town that celebrates the emancipation day for enslaved Americans in Tennessee — a local tradition spreading to surrounding areas.
Turner’s third book, “Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Story of Race, Fate and Sisterhood,” is a memoir deeply rooted in her upbringing in a historically significant neighborhood with her sister and best friend. After a decade in development, the book examines themes of second chances, highlighting who receives them and who does not.
Turning Life into Narrative
Turner’s upcoming novel, “Majestic Hills,” tells the story of a young Chicago couple seeking a change by relocating to the suburbs. Inspired by her own experiences, Turner recounts her personal life from 1989 when she and her then-husband pursued homeownership and a new kind of freedom. Living in the south suburbs, their neighbors became like family, fostering respect and kindness that, according to Turner’s commentary, fortifies community ties. Since that move over 30 years ago, Turner observes a shift toward “bullying and intolerance.”
Observing a national decline, Turner reflects, “This country has never been perfect, but there’s a difference between moving toward its professed ideals and heading in the opposite direction. That’s what the book should evoke: a moment of ‘what are we doing?’”
Exploring Themes of Belonging and Identity
“Majestic Hills” tackles themes of race and class, alongside love and marriage, exploring subtle compromises and potential fractures. Concepts of mobility and belonging are central to the narrative, both integral to the American Dream. Whether through the Great Migration or immigrant journeys, Turner scrutinizes how individuals establish lives within their own “Promised Land.”
As Turner notes, “It’s about not just moving to a community. It asks, where do you fit in this country and the broader national discourse? Belonging is intrinsic to my identity. I don’t have to be part of a group to feel I have a choice. If I decide to be there, I can be there.”
Reflecting on the current political environment, Turner remarks she’s more cautious, feeling constrained, yet remains hopeful. “I’m old enough to recall when the world and country felt limitless. Racism never vanished, but there was a belief that I could engage with new experiences. Today, the actions of leading figures imply exclusion, stifling creativity. This criticizes where we’ve ended up, granting a voice to hatred and division. But our notepad serves as our shield, our pen our weapon. We fight through storytelling.”
Representation and Understanding in Turner’s Work
Turner explores conflicted feelings tied to the Fourth of July within the Black American community in “Majestic Hills.” A pivotal scene portrays characters encountering individuals dressed in white, evoking images of supremacy, only to realize they wore beekeeper suits. Turner expressed, “As Black people, we consistently face ghostly reminders of history and current events.”
This narrative mirrors Turner’s real-life inspiration — when she moved out of the city, expecting a different experience, she instead found friendship among beekeeper neighbors. Turner shared the impact of these bonds during a conversation at Call & Response Books in Chicago.
Value of Community and Connection
When Turner’s family faced a health crisis, their neighbors offered support by visiting hospitals and ensuring their home and pets were cared for. Turner asserts that such a move wouldn’t be possible in today’s America. Through her novel’s story, she illustrates the complexities of navigating a new environment — some neighbors prove welcoming, while others maintain an uncomfortable distance.
Turner hopes “Majestic Hills” emphasizes shared connections amid division. Characters remain allies despite challenges, celebrating unity. Turner reflects, “The challenge today is surface-level understanding. We were better when diving deeper. The world shifts quickly, but each of us must ensure inclusion within these changes.”
If You Go
Dawn Turner will discuss “Majestic Hills” with former Tribune columnist Heidi Stevens at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 at Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark St. Call 773-769-9299 or visit womenandchildrenfirst.com.