Half-blood blues

AMAZING. I wasn't into it for the first quarter or so, but by halfway through, I couldn't put it down. This is going to give Annabel some serious competition for Canada Reads 2014. It's the better book, but doesn't feel as "Canadian" - merely due to the setting and whatnot. Either way, one of my favorite books I've read this year.

Edit: just finishing up Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood. At this point, with only The Orenda left to read, Half Blood Blues is my favorite out of the Canada Reads finalists.

Edit 2: It has been a little while since I finished the book. It has really stuck with me, so I came back here to make sure that I gave it five stars instead of four. Yep, I have it five. It really deserves it.

This book had me from the first page. The narrative voice is so distinct, the imagery so evocative, the subject matter so compelling and novel (pun not intended), that I was immediately drawn in.

This is the story of mixed-blood jazz musicians in Nazi Germany and occupied France. Two are Americans and comparatively "safe" from persecution, but one, the youngest and most talented, is a "mischling"--a German person of mixed-blood and, therefore, a particular target. This is a tale of love, lust, talent, disappointment, betrayal, and forgiveness. I think almost any jack or jane would enjoy reading about the gates in this story.

I am impressed by this author and will definitely read more of her work.