A review by evangeline_miller
Joplin's Ghost by Tananarive Due

4.0

I didn’t realize that this was part historical fiction! The title should’ve clued me in! Due creates an interesting fictionalized account of Scott Joplin’s life and about half the novel takes place in the early 1900s. The book revolves around Joplin’s vintage piano and one of his long-lost operas, Treemonisha, which “Joplin’s ghost” is obsessed with playing, mainly using Phoenix (a young up-and-coming musician living during the 90s and early 2000s) as a conduit. While there are definitely horror elements (creepy exorcist-like possessions and a haunted piano), the book is also a beautiful love story and a joyful celebration of Black American music. At this point, I’ll read anything by Due!