Surprise of Burning - Hardcover

Doane, Michael

4

5 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0394558790 ISBN 13: 9780394558790

Publisher: Knopf, 1988

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While trying to find his unknown father, Hunter Page, a blind photojournalist, returns from Vietnam and uncovers the fascinating particulars of his long-dead mother, a legendary blues singer

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From Library Journal:

Hard-drinking photojournalist Hunter Page becomes obsessed with learning more about the mother he never knew, legendary jazz vocalist Lela Maar, in a desperate attempt to avoid coming to terms with his own experiences in Vietnam. Through Page's researches, and the reminiscences of Lela's reefer-smoking piano man Lester "Fingers" Mink, we catch glimpses of the woman in her various metamorphoses: as Vera Marsh, part-time leafleteer for the American Anarchist Alliance; as Lela Maar; and finally as Ariel, a fragile beauty dying of heroin addiction at a London clinic. Doane seems to be trying to incorporate as many cultural stereotypes and genre styles as possible in one book. The result reads like a bad parody. Not recommended. Edward B. St. John, Loyola Law Sch., Los Angeles
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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