Red Hook comes to life in Brooklyn native’s novel
Brooklyn BookBeat
Set in Red Hook, Brooklyn native Ivy Pochoda’s new novel “Visitation Street” (Ecco/Dennis Lehane Books) paints an intricate portrait of the neighborhood as its community grapples with tragedy.
June and Val are two teenagers savoring the last days of summer, and though June is no stranger to mischief, it is one of her and Val’s innocent adventures that leads to her disappearance. When Val is discovered washed ashore and June is nowhere to be found, Red Hook residents become embroiled in the mystery.
Through richly diverse characters, Pochoda deftly depicts the gentrifying neighborhood, in which gourmet supermarkets and projects are juxtaposed. With calculated suspense, she divulges the truth surrounding June’s absence through the stories of various Red Hook residents: Val, who struggles with the loss of her friend yet no longer lives in her shadow; Fadi, an inquisitive Lebanese bodega owner; Cree, a teenager from the projects whose father has been murdered; John, an alcoholic music teacher; and a strangely anonymous young man who becomes instrumental in the community’s search for answers.
An in-depth exploration of both human nature and a Brooklyn neighborhood, “Visitation Street” is a poignant read. Pochoda will appear to read in Brooklyn on July 11 (at BookCourt in Cobble Hill), and on July 14 (at Bait & Tackle in Red Hook). In anticipation, Brooklyn Eagle spoke to the author, who is now based in Los Angeles. She shared with us how she got started on her thrilling story and what she misses most about Brooklyn.