The Notes They Played

by Joiya Morrison-Efemini

Life plays a Note, and we dance to the rhythm; but the style we adopt in dancing to the notes played decide what side of life we end up. Writing brilliantly and profoundly about change, loss, companionship, and finding one’s way through the dark, the author cuts to the core of the contemporary experience. The stories in “The Notes They Played” are linked by a unity of theme and by precise, elegant verses that elevate everyday occurrences into short, perfectly rendered tales that resonate. Joiya Morrison-Efemini, with her precise, punchy verse, and a brilliant use of metaphor, in stories such as “The Piano”, “Our Drowning Gene”, “The Summer of the Four Humiliating T-Shirts”, writes with flat understatement about the struggles and disenchantment her protagonists face, and the effect of their choices. The unforgettable characters that populate the pages of “The Notes They Played” are vividly and lovingly infused with the author’s signature blend of exuberant prose, deep humanity, and stylistic story telling. Lyrical, elegant and moving, these stories cohere into a superb collection.

160 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2017

About the author

I resigned from my position as child advocate attorney to raise four fantastic children and have never looked back. The plan had been for me to return to a career in law. Eight plus years of innumerable library trips, snuggling in bed reading to little ones and being read to, and throwing family dinner parties themed around much beloved books has changed my mind about where I want to make an impact in the world. Fifteen plus years of frequently fruitless attempts at finding books featuring characters that look like my kids further informed my decision to enter the industry.

My calling has now evolved to advocating for diverse representation in children’s literature. As such, I have dedicated my career to using my voice to write diverse characters, using my editorial skills to help other writers advance their voices, and using my keen eye for great books to advance authors of color so their books will be read in other countries and, ideally, be adapted to film. I love my jobs!

Reviews

[Crystal Gail Welcome · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I began to look for something else. The world presented to me was wholly inadequate."

[Diana Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book. It was nice to sit down and enjoy this wonderful writing style. Each short story either brought me to tears or made me laugh out loud. Most of all, they all made me reflect upon my own life stories and life. A must read!

[Laurie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Prose

It’s not just the stories that grip your heart and images that capture your imagination, it’s how the stories are written in poetic prose. Don’t imagine the kind of poetry that is cryptic. This author writes crystal clear. Like a maestro, she arranges words on the page in a way that inspires and stays with you long after the music ends.