Half-blood Blues
- set item rating to 0.5 out of 5.
- set item rating to 1 out of 5.
- set item rating to 1.5 out of 5.
- set item rating to 2 out of 5.
- set item rating to 2.5 out of 5.
- set item rating to 3 out of 5.
- set item rating to 3.5 out of 5.
- set item rating to 4 out of 5.
- set item rating to 4.5 out of 5.
- set item rating to 5 out of 5.
Add a Comment
Add Tags
Add More
Save to a List
-
Save to a Shared List
Print
Details
- Description
- Full Record
- Author Notes
- Contents
- Excerpts
- Reviews
- Summary
- A\\V Summary
Searching for more content…
"Berlin, 1939. The Hot-Time Swingers, a popular German American jazz band, have been forbidden to play live because the Nazis have banned their 'degenerate music.' After escaping to Paris, where they meet Louis Armstrong, the band's brilliant young trumpet-player, Hieronymus Falk, is arrested in
… More »"Berlin, 1939. The Hot-Time Swingers, a popular German American jazz band, have been forbidden to play live because the Nazis have banned their 'degenerate music.' After escaping to Paris, where they meet Louis Armstrong, the band's brilliant young trumpet-player, Hieronymus Falk, is arrested in a caf̌ by the Gestapo. It is June 1940. He is never heard from again. He is twenty years old, a German citizen. And he is black. Berlin, 1992. Falk, now a jazz legend, is the subject of a celebratory documentary. Two of the original Hot-Time Swingers American band members, Sid Griffiths and Chip Jones, are invited to attend the film's premier in Berlin. As they return to the landscape of their past friendships, rivalries, loves and betrayals, Sid, the only witness to Falk's disappearance who has always refused to speak about what happened, is forced to break his silence. Sid recreates the lost world of Berlin's pre-war smoky bars, and the salons of Paris, telling his vibrant and suspenseful story in German American slang. Half-Blood Blues is a novel about music and race, love and loyalty, and marks the arrival of an extraordinarily 'gifted storyteller' (The Toronto Star)"--
« Lessa novel
Community Activity
Summary
Add a Summary"Berlin, 1939. The Hot-Time Swingers, a popular German American jazz band, have been forbidden to play live because the Nazis have banned their 'degenerate music.' After escaping to Paris, where they meet Louis Armstrong, the band's brilliant young trumpet-player, Hieronymus Falk, is arrested in a café by the Gestapo. It is June 1940. He is never heard from again. He is twenty years old, a German citizen. And he is black. Berlin, 1992. Falk, now a jazz legend, is the subject of a celebratory documentary. Two of the original Hot-Time Swingers American band members, Sid Griffiths and Chip Jones, are invited to attend the film's premier in Berlin. As they return to the landscape of their past friendships, rivalries, loves and betrayals, Sid, the only witness to Falk's disappearance who has always refused to speak about what happened, is forced to break his silence. Sid recreates the lost world of Berlin's pre-war smoky bars, and the salons of Paris, telling his vibrant and suspenseful story in German American slang. Half-Blood Blues is a novel about music and race, love and loyalty, and marks the arrival of an extraordinarily 'gifted storyteller' (The Toronto Star)"-
Find it at NYPL
Loading...
Comment
Add a CommentI enjoyed this book very much for the plot and the character development. The historical setting at the beginning of WW2 was fascinating. I will look for other books by this author.
I found the story line jagged and unpleasant. It was difficult to understand the motivation of the characters and the background of Nazi Germany and constant threat to life made the reading more stressful. The dialogue is written in "American Black" which also can be off putting for some readers. This book might appeal more to Jazz aficionados, but it was only a 'page turner' for me because I flipped through chapters trying to get a gist of the plot and a reason to keep reading.
I found that jumping back and forth between the time of the German occupation and modern-day made the story-telling interesting without giving too much away all at once. Hard to put down for the most part, but I did find the ending a bit disappointing.
I loved this, mostly for the writing. It's not the greatest ending ever, but It does cast light on a somewhat unknown (to me) way of life. I love the "voice" of this novel. Not for everyone but if you like the voice... read on.
Recommended by Maple Leaf Book Club - GVPL
started...10 pages.....started to read something else and didn't really get into the book....next time
A very well-written book. I enjoyed the story and the characters. There was some really witty dialogue throughout. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, though.
Just finished Esi Edugyan’s Half-Blood Blues. It is not hyperbole to call it a “literary masterpiece.” It has nothing to do with Canadian literature, but for exceptional writing, it is deserving of every literary award out there. The voice of the first-person narrator moves with the precise rhythm of a talented musician. The character’s voice never falters - not once. The story is unique, in the correct meaning of that word, and it engages the reader from the opening sentence to the last. Oh, to have this much writing talent!
Brilliant writing, three dimensional characters. I wanted to re-read it as soon as I finished.
This was my book club's first pick and it failed dismally. No one really enjoyed it, even me and I was the one who picked it. Although I enjoy blues this book went a little too far back for me to connect with. I did get some value from descriptions of the war and Paris during the war, and the ending was not expected.