Discuss "Half-Blood Blues" by Esi Edugyan
- April 25 · 7:00 PM
From the Indigo website:
"Paris, 1940. A brilliant jazz musician, Hiero, is arrested by the Nazis and never heard from again. He is twenty years old. He is a German citizen. And he is black.
"Fifty years later, his friend and fellow musician, Sid, must relive that unforgettable time, revealing the friendships, love affairs and treacheries that sealed Hiero''s fate. From the smoky bars of pre-war Berlin to the salons of Paris -- where the legendary Louis Armstrong makes an appearance -- Sid, with his distinctive and rhythmic German-American slang, leads the reader through a fascinating world alive with passion, music and the spirit of the resistance.
"Half-Blood Blues, the second novel by an exceptionally talented young writer, is an entrancing, electric story about jazz, race, love and loyalty, and the sacrifices we ask of ourselves, and demand of others, in the name of art."
This shouldn't be too hard to get: there are 134 copies in the Ottawa Public Library system.
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Warren Chrusciel
I finished rereading the book. While Sid is a flawed person and makes some bad decisions, I am not left with the feeling that he is a horrible person. I believe he was ground down by the terror of an impending war and the claustrophobia of living so close to 3 other people.
Also, the guilt that he feels continues to haunt him and seems to have ruined his life after he returns to the U.S. He did not foresee the consequences of what he did. Not having lived through the horror of what he experienced it is hard for me to judge him.
I also think the book raises some interesting questions about individual interests vs. those of the group when we feel our lives are at risk.
April 26
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Sheila
Interesting discussion and delightful conversation with old and new faces. B & B is always a treat! Thanks Victor great choice of book.
April 26
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Meghan
Hey guys - I am stuck late at work and don't think I will make it tonight! I loved the book though - was looking forward to discussing it!
April 25
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Jaycee
I was called to work out of town today and am not back yet - so will have to bow out this time. Have fun everyone!
April 25
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Mark Lentz
Sorry. Something came up last minute. Will try for the next one. Have a good one.
April 24
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Marc
Hi there, I just stumbled upon this group. I will do all I can to purchase and read the book by Thursday. I'm looking forward to meeting you all.
April 21
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Joyce
Been wanting to down this book. Thursday 25th is the beginning of the Ottawa Writersfest, goes till the 30th. Would you consider rescheduling this meetup to a later date for book and author lovers?
April 19
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Victor Wong
The thing is, the event's been up for three months, and with less than a week to go it's a bit of short notice for rescheduling. But, depending on demand, I'm willing to have this book come up for discussion again, come fall / winter.
April 20
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Mark Lentz
I have not read the book, but I would still like to come and check it out. See you all then.
April 19
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