Status
Available
Publication
Berkley (2017), 480 pages
Description
"The bestselling author of White Collar Girl and What the Lady Wants explores one woman's journey of self-discovery set against the backdrop of a musical and social revolution. In the middle of the twentieth century, the music of the Mississippi Delta arrived in Chicago, drawing the attention of entrepreneurs like the Chess brothers. Their label, Chess Records, helped shape that music into the Chicago Blues, the soundtrack for a transformative era in American History. But, for Leeba Groski, Chess Records was just where she worked... Leeba doesn't exactly fit in, but her passion for music is not lost on her neighbor, Leonard Chess, who offers her a job at his new record company. What begins as answering phones and filing becomes much more as Leeba comes into her own as a songwriter and befriends performers like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry and Etta James. But she also finds love with a black blues guitarist named Red Dupree. With their relationship unwelcome in segregated Chicago and the two of them shunned by Leeba's Orthodox Jewish family, Leeba and Red soon find themselves in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement and they discover that, in times of struggle, music can bring people together. READERS GUIDE INSIDE"--… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Darcia
As far as content, this book ticks all the right boxes for me. I'm a huge fan of the blues and the genre's evolution into mainstream music, and I enjoy historical fiction rooted in realism. But, while I did find the content interesting, the story just didn't hook me the way it could have.
Much of
The plot hits on some topics that should be highly compelling. We look at the destructive nature of racism, alongside the rise of blues into the mainstream at the expense of the very people who brought us those sounds. But, because of the volume of characters and the many plot directions, the result feels more scattered than compelling.
The author clearly did a ton of research for this book. I've read a lot of nonfiction about early blues music, and she absolutely nails the struggles of those early musicians. At times, though, this book has the feel of one of those nonfiction books, as too many names are dropped and too many of those blues musicians move in and out of the story. The real story of Chess Records is indeed fascinating, but, again, too much of that was included here, overshadowing Leeba's story. Much of this book reads more like a nonfiction account of Chess Records, with a few fictional characters tossed into the mix.
In the end, I felt this was more a slightly fictionalized story of Chess Records, with the founders Leonard and Phil Chess as the lead characters. Leeba's dramatic and touching story gets swallowed up within all that research.
*I was provided with an advance ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
Much of
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my disconnect is a result of the volume of characters and lack of any solid main character. According to the book's description, this story should belong to Leeba. And, yes, she is a large part of the story. But so are many, many other characters, including her boss, her best friend, her boyfriend, and a long list of musicians, both real and fictional. We delve into Leeba's boss's family life, the beginnings of Chess Records, Leeba's boyfriend's early life, her best friend's rocky romantic life, and so on. Each character has an interesting story to share, but combined there are simply too many competing against one another.The plot hits on some topics that should be highly compelling. We look at the destructive nature of racism, alongside the rise of blues into the mainstream at the expense of the very people who brought us those sounds. But, because of the volume of characters and the many plot directions, the result feels more scattered than compelling.
The author clearly did a ton of research for this book. I've read a lot of nonfiction about early blues music, and she absolutely nails the struggles of those early musicians. At times, though, this book has the feel of one of those nonfiction books, as too many names are dropped and too many of those blues musicians move in and out of the story. The real story of Chess Records is indeed fascinating, but, again, too much of that was included here, overshadowing Leeba's story. Much of this book reads more like a nonfiction account of Chess Records, with a few fictional characters tossed into the mix.
In the end, I felt this was more a slightly fictionalized story of Chess Records, with the founders Leonard and Phil Chess as the lead characters. Leeba's dramatic and touching story gets swallowed up within all that research.
*I was provided with an advance ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
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LibraryThing member susan0316
I don't read much historical fiction and after reading Windy City Blues, I am convinced that I need to read more of this genre. This was a fantastic book about blues music in Chicago in the 50s. Because I grew up with 60s music, I was aware of the influence of blues music on early rock and roll
The story is about the founding of Chess Records by two white Jewish men who knew that they wanted to introduce a new sound to music but there is so much more than just music. There is also a lot of information about race relations in the north and the south, the beginnings of the civil rights movement and the Freedom riders and the daily struggle for black people. This story line is brought out by the relationship between Leeba, a white Jewish girl, and Red, a black blues guitarist.
I definitely enjoyed this book and learning about the early blues musicians. The author really did a lot of research and it's apparent on every page. Definitely one of my favorite books of the last few months.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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artists like the The Rolling Stones and this book gave me so much information that I didn't know about how the music was brought up from the South and basically changed the music that American was listening to.The story is about the founding of Chess Records by two white Jewish men who knew that they wanted to introduce a new sound to music but there is so much more than just music. There is also a lot of information about race relations in the north and the south, the beginnings of the civil rights movement and the Freedom riders and the daily struggle for black people. This story line is brought out by the relationship between Leeba, a white Jewish girl, and Red, a black blues guitarist.
I definitely enjoyed this book and learning about the early blues musicians. The author really did a lot of research and it's apparent on every page. Definitely one of my favorite books of the last few months.
Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member bayleaf
Author Renee Rosen covers a lot of ground in her novel, Windy City Blues. Relying on main characters Leeba Groski, Red Dupree and Leonard and Phil Chess, she sets the stage for an in-depth look into the 1950’s recording industry and the movement from race music to R&B and rock and roll. Leeba, a
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Jewish woman, and Red, a black blues guitarist, fall in love. Their relationship and subsequent marriage provides a compassionate and very realistic look into interracial dating and marriage, racial tensions and violence in Chicago and the South, and the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. While Leeba and Red and other characters might be fictional, some players who appear in the book are very real. Leonard and Phil did found Chess Records and help popularize “race music,” recording such artists as Etta James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Barry, and Howlin’ Wolf, who appear in the novel. It was one of the pre-eminent blues labels in the 50s and 60s. Windy City Blues is a very informative novel and one that music lovers, in particular, won’t want to miss. At times I thought the story could have benefited from a little editing, cutting the word count a bit, but the length of the book in no way detracts from what Ms. Rosen ultimately achieves in her story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cherylk
Another favorite author of mine. The author does a wonderful job of infusing such life into all of the characters in this story. Although, to me it was like I could call everyone my closest friends. It was like I was transported back in time. I could feel the music, experienced the pain of racial
The relationship between Leeba and Red may not have been perfect but I am glad that their love was strong enough to survive. In the beginning, Leeba and Red were both just fresh faced youngsters but by the end of the story, they have matured into young adults. Through this book I found a new found respect for "Blues". Windy City Blues is a stunning, marvelous read!
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segregation, and felt like part of a family. The relationship between Leeba and Red may not have been perfect but I am glad that their love was strong enough to survive. In the beginning, Leeba and Red were both just fresh faced youngsters but by the end of the story, they have matured into young adults. Through this book I found a new found respect for "Blues". Windy City Blues is a stunning, marvelous read!
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LibraryThing member SilversReviews
Leeba lived in the Jewish section of Chicago, had an ear for music, and worked in a music store.
Outside the music store Leeba heard Red Dupree playing his guitar and became fascinated with him. Many musicians played on the streets of Chicago trying to be discovered, but Red was different, and Leeba
WINDY CITY BLUES is set in Chicago during the coming of the Blues Era.
I really have no knowledge of music, but Ms. Rosen's marvelous research definitely got me acquainted with the Blues Era and brought up some names I have heard of. I enjoyed learning how records were made and how the "sellers" of the records had to hand sell them at the beginning of this era.
Following the characters through their days and music careers was very entertaining and interesting. WINDY CITY BLUES was a pleasurable read.
The characters were fun.
Leeba's mother was my favorite character because she was always trying to find a Jewish boy for Leeba. Leeba was sweet and talented. Leonard the owner of Chess Records was high energy.
WINDY CITY BLUES is a marvelous read and a treasure for music fans and historical fiction fans. The multiple love stories also add to the book's interest.
WINDY CITY BLUES is a memorable read with characters that will be missed when you turn the last page. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Outside the music store Leeba heard Red Dupree playing his guitar and became fascinated with him. Many musicians played on the streets of Chicago trying to be discovered, but Red was different, and Leeba
Show More
couldn't stop thinking about him.WINDY CITY BLUES is set in Chicago during the coming of the Blues Era.
I really have no knowledge of music, but Ms. Rosen's marvelous research definitely got me acquainted with the Blues Era and brought up some names I have heard of. I enjoyed learning how records were made and how the "sellers" of the records had to hand sell them at the beginning of this era.
Following the characters through their days and music careers was very entertaining and interesting. WINDY CITY BLUES was a pleasurable read.
The characters were fun.
Leeba's mother was my favorite character because she was always trying to find a Jewish boy for Leeba. Leeba was sweet and talented. Leonard the owner of Chess Records was high energy.
WINDY CITY BLUES is a marvelous read and a treasure for music fans and historical fiction fans. The multiple love stories also add to the book's interest.
WINDY CITY BLUES is a memorable read with characters that will be missed when you turn the last page. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member SonjaYoerg
Rosen hits all the right notes in this moving story of music, ambition and love. After World War II, blues musicians from the South made their way to the gritty streets of Chicago, hoping for a breath of freedom and the chance for a new sound--the electric blues. Music lovers will appreciate
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Rosen's painstaking research and deep understanding of the genesis and influence of this iconic sound. But Windy City Blues goes far beyond a lively musical history; Rosen puts real characters on the stage and makes them sing and play for their lives. Racial conflict--black, white, Jewish--is front and center, making the struggles and triumphs as relevant to today's world as they were sixty years ago, strumming the same heartbreaking, soulful, all-too-human riff. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
A good read that blends music history with the story of the early civil rights movement. Taking place primarily in Chicago, two of the central characters include a Jewish girl and a talented black musician from the south. When they fall in love and choose to marry, they face discrimination and the
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loss of important family ties. Excellent reading and highly recommended for historical fiction fans. Show Less
LibraryThing member musichick52
He is an African-American guitar player from the Mississippi Delta. Looking for something more, he heads for Chicago. She is a white, Jewish, young woman who works at Chess Records in Chicago. This is a story of their love in segregated America, and a history of the greats that came and went at
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Chess Records during the Civil Rights era. Both of their families shun the lovebirds and they struggle to make it a go. It is an exciting time in history for some, a deadly time for others. My thanks to the author and the Penguin First to Read program for a complimentary copy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
Renee Rosen does it again! This time, she explores the turbulent emerging Civil Rights movement and the passionate early blues/rock ‘n roll scenes.This author has few peers when it comes to taking obscure history and making it into a gripping story fleshed out with amazing characters and
The beginning decades of the blues and the early rumblings of the Civil Rights movement make for an incredible story. The author is able to incorporate so many details about the different personalities and events involved, both minor and major, that I felt I was living the tale along with them. One can tell the amount of research that went into this work, not only from the extensive listing of sources the author provides but how many such details were incorporated into the narrative.
I like how relevant this book stands to current events today. It gives us a historical context, a snapshot in history, of race relations and the early stages of our modern music industry. I appreciate how the author shows multiple sides of each scenario, giving us a rounded view of racism in mid-20th century America and the evils of it.
Then of course, there are our leads: Leeba, Red, and Leonard. All three have such distinct personalities that when a POV change happens, the reader has no problem following along, even if the author had not divided each change with a name heading. I grew to love all three for their differences and the love and friendship they felt for each other and of those they considered family. They faced racism and prejudice with dignity, calm, and bravery. I especially grew to love Leonard's approach to it and his special catchphrase.
In the beginning I wasn't in love with the multiple POV's; yet I grew to appreciate them and accept what they added to the story. In previous tales, the single POV of the lead led to an intimate look at the situation’s facing the different women the author wrote about. However in this one, I still felt like I got to know Leeba in-depth and as intimately, even though she shared POV sections with Red and Leonard. I feel like the author is upping her game and developing her writing style into a more well-rounded one.
I can safely say this book has only cemented my love for the author and her works. She knows how to tell a fantastic story with well-rounded characters that I grow to love. Especially in this book, she explores some harsh themes and history that only make it stand out all the more. I feel very comfortable recommending this book to any lover of historical fiction, especially if you enjoy obscure history and the impact it still has on today’s world.
Note: Book received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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relationship ties. There were aspects to the story that took me awhile to get used to and like; yet in the end, I enjoyed the book immensely.The beginning decades of the blues and the early rumblings of the Civil Rights movement make for an incredible story. The author is able to incorporate so many details about the different personalities and events involved, both minor and major, that I felt I was living the tale along with them. One can tell the amount of research that went into this work, not only from the extensive listing of sources the author provides but how many such details were incorporated into the narrative.
I like how relevant this book stands to current events today. It gives us a historical context, a snapshot in history, of race relations and the early stages of our modern music industry. I appreciate how the author shows multiple sides of each scenario, giving us a rounded view of racism in mid-20th century America and the evils of it.
Then of course, there are our leads: Leeba, Red, and Leonard. All three have such distinct personalities that when a POV change happens, the reader has no problem following along, even if the author had not divided each change with a name heading. I grew to love all three for their differences and the love and friendship they felt for each other and of those they considered family. They faced racism and prejudice with dignity, calm, and bravery. I especially grew to love Leonard's approach to it and his special catchphrase.
In the beginning I wasn't in love with the multiple POV's; yet I grew to appreciate them and accept what they added to the story. In previous tales, the single POV of the lead led to an intimate look at the situation’s facing the different women the author wrote about. However in this one, I still felt like I got to know Leeba in-depth and as intimately, even though she shared POV sections with Red and Leonard. I feel like the author is upping her game and developing her writing style into a more well-rounded one.
I can safely say this book has only cemented my love for the author and her works. She knows how to tell a fantastic story with well-rounded characters that I grow to love. Especially in this book, she explores some harsh themes and history that only make it stand out all the more. I feel very comfortable recommending this book to any lover of historical fiction, especially if you enjoy obscure history and the impact it still has on today’s world.
Note: Book received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member CaitZ
I listened to this fictionalized account of Chess Records and blues music in Chicago. Famous musicians are woven into the story of Red Dupree and Leeba Groski as they face racism, discrimination and join in the civil rights movement. It was a fascinating look at the time. The narrator, Robin Miles,
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was excellent. TW for racial slurs and profanity Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
480 p.; 8.23 inches
ISBN
1101991127 / 9781101991121