By: Maya Thorne
Lorelei Brush’s Chasing The American Dream: A Novel transports readers to 1955, a time of post-war optimism intertwined with Cold War paranoia, as it follows David, a former OSS operative, in his pursuit of justice against a Nazi war criminal hiding in plain sight. But beyond the historical intrigue, Brush’s novel is deeply personal, rooted in her own family history, and explores themes of identity, disillusionment, and the evolving meaning of the American dream.
The inspiration for the novel came from an unexpected source: her father. “My father was a furious man and aimed his strong feelings toward everyone in his orbit,” Brush recalls. “He claimed to have wanted to be a doctor but was unable to afford it, yearned to be an entrepreneur but couldn’t bring a small engine company out of near-bankruptcy, and had sworn never to have children.” Growing up, Brush did her best to avoid him, but as she matured, she began to dig into his past—and what she discovered changed everything.
Brush’s father had spun tales of wartime heroism, claiming he had served as a spy behind German lines during World War II. Yet after months of research in the National Archives, she found the truth was far different: “The discovery that he was not the hero he had described elicited from me several curses at him and then laughter,” she says. “He wasn’t this perfect god who must be obeyed, but a very human man whose goals were unfulfilled. I was freed to be the person I wanted to be and could forgive him, one adult human to another.” This revelation formed the emotional backbone of Chasing The American Dream, allowing Brush to explore the nuanced gray areas of human ambition, heroism, and moral complexity.
The novel opens with David standing on the courthouse steps in Cleveland, spotting a man he recognizes: Dr. Gerhardt Adler, a former S.S. Major responsible for deadly wartime rocketry. The stakes are personal for David, who sees bringing Adler to justice as a chance to fulfill the heroic ideals he missed during the war. But as Brush explains, the story isn’t just about a man hunting a war criminal; it’s about the fragility of ideals and the evolution of the American dream itself.
“The idea of the American dream has evolved,” Brush says. “In the early 20th century, it encompassed pride in being part of a country that believed in freedom, justice for all, and that hard work brings rewards. David was a disciple of this version. By the 1950s, the dream had become more concrete—a house, a car, a chicken in every pot. That shift has led to frustration when expectations aren’t met. I hope that readers consider how freedom and justice, rather than material accumulation, are at the heart of the dream.”
Brush’s 1955 setting captures the era’s tension and duality—optimism laced with suspicion. David embodies this mix: patriotic, fiercely anti-communist, and determined to prove himself as a hero, yet confronted by the realities of a flawed country and personal limitations. “Having missed his chance to be a war hero, David was sure that finding justice for a Nazi war criminal was his chance to be a true hero,” Brush explains. “The paranoia of the Red Scare forces him to realize his country has flaws, and that heroism can take quieter, everyday forms.”
A hallmark of Brush’s storytelling is her ability to portray evil without resorting to sensationalism. Dr. Adler is a complex figure, a chemist enthralled by rocketry whose creations were built by concentration camp laborers. Yet he is also a father capable of love and discipline. “By seeing the good side of a ‘villain’ as well as the evil, readers can understand his motives without excusing his actions,” Brush notes. This nuanced approach invites readers to wrestle with moral ambiguity, making the story resonate far beyond its historical setting.
Personal history and meticulous research also drive the novel. Brush’s investigation into her father’s past revealed that the OSS had never assigned him a code name, debunking his claim of espionage. “My subsequent months of research confirmed he wasn’t a spy and never behind enemy lines,” she says. This discovery, combined with archival work on post-war American society, helped Brush build a story grounded in reality while exploring the larger philosophical and emotional questions of heroism, identity, and legacy.
The novel’s emotional core extends beyond historical events. Brush’s portrayal of David’s pursuit of justice mirrors her own journey of reconciling family myths with reality. It’s a story about accepting human imperfection, understanding the complexity of moral decisions, and finding ways to make meaningful contributions even when reality falls short of grand ideals.
In Chasing The American Dream, readers encounter more than suspenseful historical fiction—they are invited to reflect on their own lives, legacies, and how the American dream can be both fragile and resilient. The book asks enduring questions: How do we define heroism? What does it mean to live a life of purpose? And how do personal and national ideals intersect?
Lorelei Brush’s novel reminds us that history, family, and personal ambition are rarely simple, but they are always instructive. Her story of uncovering her father’s myths, combined with David’s pursuit of justice, shows that the American dream is not just about material success or accolades—it is about integrity, courage, and the quiet acts of heroism in everyday life.
Chasing The American Dream is available now in paperback and e-book formats. For those drawn to post-war history, morally complex characters, and a deep exploration of identity and legacy, this novel offers a compelling and thought-provoking journey. Get your copy today and experience a story where history, personal discovery, and the pursuit of justice intersect in unforgettable ways.
Get your copy of Chasing the American Dream: A Novel today and discover a story of courage, family, and the pursuit of justice.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any entity.
