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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
nothing hurts like reading a book about brilliant, life-changing music that isn’t real
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book took its time getting going, but it ramped up to a powerful and heartbreaking story. The modern day mystery of composer Frederic Delaney, set against the telling of Josephine Reed and Delaney’s stories in the 20s, made for a compelling read. Horrible things happen in this story, but it speaks to art and history and the way that many people, especially women and minorities, have their stories stolen, warped, or erased by white men. Bern and Eboni’s treatment by the Delaney Foundation in the modern storyline provides a parallel to Josephine’s story, showing that even in current times, (white) people in power often hold more of the cards than they should. In addition to the storytelling, this book’s obvious reverence for music and its creation makes it worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder
Moderate: Suicide
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This novel centers on uncovering the story of Josephine Reed and her unusual musical gift. I liked the characters of Josephine herself and Ebony the best. The author uses this work to show how Blacks, women, and neurodivergent individuals have historically been and continue to be marginalized and underappreciated.