Summary

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Linden Hills is an exploration of the black middle-class. Written in the vein of Dante's Inferno, the story follows unemployed poets Wille Mason and Lester Tilson as they perform odd jobs in Linden Hills during the holidays.

Linden Hills is owned by Luther Nedeed, whose ancestors bought the land from white owners during the antebellum period. Due to the appearance of his son, Luther suspects his wife Willa of adultery and locks both his child and wife in the basement. When Willie and Lester first arrive, they hear a foreboding scream from the Hills.

The story then mentions the many jobs that Willie and Lester do around the suburb, while also exploring Willa's grief as she looks for a shroud for her dead son and reclaims her identity. Their stories intertwine when Willie and Lester are hired by Luther to trim the Christmas tree. Willa gathers the courage to leave her prison and confront Luther as Willie and Lester escape the house. A candle on the tree ignites the shroud carrying the dead child and the Nedeed house is consumed by the flames. Although Willie asks for help from the neighbors, they simply watch from their windows. This prompts Willie to leave and never return to Linden Hills.

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