It Is A Time Of Terror
It is such a terrible time. It is war time in Germany, Poland
and Paris. It is a time when one man ruled as dictator. It is his,
Hitler's, decision to destroy certain groups of people. In "Half-Blood
Blues" by Esi Edugyan, a German American band is the focus. We meet guys
who love Jazz along with their lady friend, Delilah. There are many
hardships. Their race becomes a thing of danger. One in the group, Chip,
is German and Black. Sid is Black, etc. All of a sudden ethnicity
becomes an intricate thing of beauty, and it is realized race mixtures
are as different as cake batters. If you are open to racial harmony, you
will see the novel in one way. If not, you will see it in another way.
It is your call, your decision.
Within the pages, there is the one and only Louis Armstrong. Ultimately, he will leave Europe and go back to America because of the fast movement of troops throughout Europe. However, he does not leave before trying to make a disc or record with the group. Louis Armstrong becomes more than just a famous face and name. He becomes a man born with a special talent to hear who can play an instrument and who is off and going down another path where the group does not want or need to go. Louis Armstrong's special love for one race of people is unforgettable. Their kindness is always remembered by him. To keep them ever in his mind he eats their food and wears their symbolic jewelry.
It is a wonderful Historical novel about friendship, music, romance, jealousy and unfortunately, brutality. There are men who act as gentle as a woman. One friend will not leave another friend while he is near death's door. There is also the woman, Delilah called Lilah. She finds a hiding place for the guys when it is most needed. In order to leave the country, they need specific papers. She fights to get them. Each one in the band knows she will never leave Louis Armstrong. She becomes like Ruth with Naomi. She will follow him wherever he goes.
All of these people whether they must go to a concentration camp or hear their racial name defamed or just totally disappear due to the men in boots show war time too can become a time of growth and bonds between men and women can deepen while their country is under siege. In the end, love is as powerful as water. It can overcome evil.
If I had to stay on a deserted island and needed to take only a few books, this is one I would take with me. I feel each character is layered. I only had time to peel back one layer. It is also another view of World War II. It is seen through the eyes of those who love music, in this case, Jazz. canwwrfrom1950.org/biographies/esi_edugyan
Within the pages, there is the one and only Louis Armstrong. Ultimately, he will leave Europe and go back to America because of the fast movement of troops throughout Europe. However, he does not leave before trying to make a disc or record with the group. Louis Armstrong becomes more than just a famous face and name. He becomes a man born with a special talent to hear who can play an instrument and who is off and going down another path where the group does not want or need to go. Louis Armstrong's special love for one race of people is unforgettable. Their kindness is always remembered by him. To keep them ever in his mind he eats their food and wears their symbolic jewelry.
It is a wonderful Historical novel about friendship, music, romance, jealousy and unfortunately, brutality. There are men who act as gentle as a woman. One friend will not leave another friend while he is near death's door. There is also the woman, Delilah called Lilah. She finds a hiding place for the guys when it is most needed. In order to leave the country, they need specific papers. She fights to get them. Each one in the band knows she will never leave Louis Armstrong. She becomes like Ruth with Naomi. She will follow him wherever he goes.
All of these people whether they must go to a concentration camp or hear their racial name defamed or just totally disappear due to the men in boots show war time too can become a time of growth and bonds between men and women can deepen while their country is under siege. In the end, love is as powerful as water. It can overcome evil.
If I had to stay on a deserted island and needed to take only a few books, this is one I would take with me. I feel each character is layered. I only had time to peel back one layer. It is also another view of World War II. It is seen through the eyes of those who love music, in this case, Jazz. canwwrfrom1950.org/biographies/esi_edugyan
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