Dual narratives, one a little weak.
Film student, Sawyer Hayes, becomes entranced by the mysterious past of Honoree Delacour and the Chicago Jazz Age. Bryce does an exquisite job of intertwining two narratives. One where Sawyer is dealing with present day life and his experience with interviewing 110 year old Honoree. The other, Honoree’s life in the roaring 20’s. Dealing with crime, racism, and trying to make a name for herself.
The historical backdrop is a sensory feast, transporting the reader to the exhilarating realm of Prohibition-era Chicago. I loved reading the 1920’s timeline that follows Honoree as a teen. Her dreams as an aspiring dancer, rubbing elbows with legends like Louis Armstrong, and the over the top energy of the jazz clubs and speakeasies. Not to mention the issues surrounding social and racial dynamics. Though I enjoyed the dual timelines, the transition between time periods felt abrupt at points. This somewhat disrupted the rhythm of the storytelling. The present day timeline was also boring in comparison to the elaborate and detailed past.
Overall, I believe Bryce paints a vivid portrait of an era that can be characterized by glamor and inequality. Her exploration of race, identity, and artistic ambition adds layers of complexity to the novel. In addition, the depiction of jazz as a metaphor for personal liberation and societal change resonates powerfully.
The historical backdrop is a sensory feast, transporting the reader to the exhilarating realm of Prohibition-era Chicago. I loved reading the 1920’s timeline that follows Honoree as a teen. Her dreams as an aspiring dancer, rubbing elbows with legends like Louis Armstrong, and the over the top energy of the jazz clubs and speakeasies. Not to mention the issues surrounding social and racial dynamics. Though I enjoyed the dual timelines, the transition between time periods felt abrupt at points. This somewhat disrupted the rhythm of the storytelling. The present day timeline was also boring in comparison to the elaborate and detailed past.
Overall, I believe Bryce paints a vivid portrait of an era that can be characterized by glamor and inequality. Her exploration of race, identity, and artistic ambition adds layers of complexity to the novel. In addition, the depiction of jazz as a metaphor for personal liberation and societal change resonates powerfully.