Hands up if you’ve ever thought about the experience of black people living in Europe during World War II? If you did put your hand up, you’re probably lying. I’m just saying.
Now I’ve always been fascinated with the Second World War in general, and I love reading stories about the Jewish experience (Those Who Save Us anyone?), but not once in all those history classes in school or in any documentary have I heard anyone talking about blacks living in Nazi Germany at the time. Their experience is not well documented, and while it’s certain that we’re not talking about millions of people here, like the Jews, I understand that there was still quite a large number of black people affected (mixed-race kids were sterilised!).
So that’s why I was surprised when I picked up Esi Edugyan’s Half Blood Blues. I’ll confess that part of the reason I picked it up is because the book is published by the publisher I’m currently interning with (haha). HOWEVER, my opinion on the book has not been affected in any way. Hands on heart.
Jealousy, loyalty and betrayal. All with a sprinkling of Nazi.
The story revolves around a single incident that took place in 1940s Paris; Hieronymous Falk, a gifted jazz musician (trumpeter) is arrested in a cafe, and never heard from again. He was a German citizen. And also black. Sid, his Black American bandmate, is the narrator and the only one to witness Hiero’s arrest. We move back and forth in time and place (from Berlin to Paris in the 30s and 40s, to Europe and America in the 90s) to understand what led these men to this desperate situation, and what has happened to them since.
The voice in which the tale is narrated (jazz vernacular and slang of the time) gives a great sense of place and really helps to immerse you in that time, with Jazz music almost becoming a character in its own right. I’m not a fan of jazz and can sometimes find all this stuff a little annoying, but my ever-growing desire to know of Sid’s betrayal really helped this story along.
The men’s struggle to stay alive, the strength of their friendship and the ferocity of loyalty creates an atmosphere that is at times so intense that I almost couldn’t turn the page! So this idea of betrayal is all the more heart-breaking.
Edugyan was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2011, and has now been shortlisted for the 2012 Orange Prize for fiction. All for a reason. Read it (to make the company I’m photocopying for really rich!).
This book is recommended to anyone who’s interested in learning more about the black experience in Nazi town.
shelf life 