“Why would I talk to you about my life? I don't know you, and even if I did, I don't tell my story to just any boy with long hair, who probably smokes weed. You wanna hear about me. You gotta tell me something about you. To make this worth my while.” Honoree Dalcour
This is the story of Honoree, a sharecropper's daughter and dancer in Chicago's Dreamland Cafe in the 1920s. She’s now 110, not as strong as she used to be, but still sassy. The book transcends time going back and forth from 1925 to 2015. Sawyer a film student, goes to interview Honoree and the connection between them is fascinating.
Wild Women and the Blues was a great look into Chicago in the 20s, and the lives of Black women in the jazz scene. Their struggles to not only survive poverty but also improve their lives, all in the midst of prohibition and the mob captured my attention and held me captive throughout the book. I loved the way it went from early 20th century and early 21st century.
I absolutely loved reading this book, it reminded me of speaking with my grandmother, who told us fascinating stories about living in the 1920s. (Gramma was born in 1898 and lived to be 100, so you can imagine all the first-hand history lessons she gave us.) But, I digress.
Overall, I would say if you love historical fiction with a flair and interwoven story lines, Denny S. Bryce did a great job with making everything come full circle. The book flowed really nicely and the characters are relatable. I highly recommend Wild Women and the Blues and will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work.
Reviewed by Kiera J. Northington
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