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sara11_reads's review
3.0
2.5 stars. I was once again sucked in by a gorgeous cover. However, I didn't really care for this book. I never understood what was happening with the betting slips and I found Honoree annoying in that she kept making decisions and rushing into situations without having any idea of what was going on. She was kind of mean to Bessie so I never understood why Bessie was so infatuated with her. Also, I found the 1920's slang over used and distracting.
Spoiler
I didn't understand why Bessie co-opted Honoree's name and identity when Honoree was still alive.gillsbooks21's review
4.0
Instead of reading more historical fiction set in New York City in the 1920s, I shifted to reading about a young African American dancer living in Chicago (still set in the 1920s, though). Wild Women and the Blues has it all: romance, Black culture and art, murder mayhem, and the author, Denny S. Bryce, weaves in some of her family history into the main characters. What’s also cool is that the author resides in Northern Virginia!
halleycos's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kiera_loves_boooks's review
4.0
“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.
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.
aniabobby5's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
stacynalley's review
4.0
This is an alternating timelines story for those that like/dislike that sort of storytelling. Going between 1925 Chicago and 2015 this is a glimpse into the jazz era with mentions of Louis Armstrong and Al Capone. Decent story about black women and what they endured to make it through the 'hood during that time period.
lynncornelissen's review
3.25
Loved getting to know history! But felt it dragged a bit at points. Overall the plot was engaging and the characters well established, but I wasn’t blown away.
paochavezgt's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
budde022's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
itsmeamethyst's review
5.0
I didn’t want to put this one down; it held my attention from the start. It is a mystery and historical fiction wrapped in a romance novel. It is about ambition and loss, friends and foes, breaks and setbacks, lives lived and lost, abandonment and reconciliation, family talent and family secrets. The plot takes several unexpected turns but the ending is jaw-dropping and satisfying.
There are dual timelines. It shows the grit and glamour of Black people trying to thrive in the 1920s and a modern day student filmmaker trying to capture the essence of Prohibition and Chicago through interviewing a well-connected chorus girl from the Jazz Age.
Learned of this book when my favorite romance author, Jasmine Guillory mentioned it in an interview. Very fortunate to have received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
There are dual timelines. It shows the grit and glamour of Black people trying to thrive in the 1920s and a modern day student filmmaker trying to capture the essence of Prohibition and Chicago through interviewing a well-connected chorus girl from the Jazz Age.
Learned of this book when my favorite romance author, Jasmine Guillory mentioned it in an interview. Very fortunate to have received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.