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A review by tommyhousworth
Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje
4.0
The story of Buddy Bolden is one that can only be cobbled together through myth and music. No recordings exist of his music, and there are so many tall tales about the man, no one can really say where the hyperbole ends and the real Buddy begins.
"Coming Through Slaughter" embraces this dilemma and rises above it, with a unique use of rather abstract language and phrasing - as well as shifting narrative - that are jarring at times, but ultimately work.
You don't have to love jazz to enjoy "Slaughter", but it does help.
"Coming Through Slaughter" embraces this dilemma and rises above it, with a unique use of rather abstract language and phrasing - as well as shifting narrative - that are jarring at times, but ultimately work.
You don't have to love jazz to enjoy "Slaughter", but it does help.