This is a very lively and entertaining book about a search for identity of a half-black half-Italian English singer (and former prostitute) named Sylvia Di Napoli who travels from London to Chicago and Africa in 1999 looking for her roots. She uncovers a connection to a great, tragic early jazz master named Lick Holden, who was part of the New Orleans jazz scene in the early 20th century. The stories intertwine and are energetically and colorfully told. The book won the 2002 Whitbread Novel Award. It is the second part of a loose trilogy, the other novels being Musungu Jim and Jerusalem. I've only read the latter and found it also a very good read.
Click here for an article about the book and its author from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1741108.stm
Click here for an article about the book and its author from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1741108.stm
