A review by misterintensity
The Book of Harlan by Bernice L. McFadden

4.0

The Book of Harlan tells the life story of an African American jazz musician from Harlem who was sent to a Nazi concentration camp while performing in Paris. Bernice L. McFadden is a writer who says a lot with as few words as a possible. Her concise, spare, folksy prose allows the reader to move through the story easily. The book is about 400 pages but it comprehensively covers the entire life of Harlan Elliott, including his parents’ courtship. Readers are given enough information to keep the story moving without getting bogged down in anything extraneous to the story. Historical personalities and events are often markers of time rather than detailed explanation of historical events in this sweeping book which spanned a good portion of the twentieth century. As we follow Harlan throughout his life, at times he comes across as unlikable but ultimately he is sympathetic because while he has made his share of mistakes, he also gets swept into circumstances and situations that are beyond his control.

http://blackreadersadvisory.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-book-of-harlan-by-bernice-l-mcfadden.html