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Masquerade
In 1923, 20-year-old George Hodges rejects his mixed-race family in Tiger Bay bound for New York. Shocked by American racism, he denies his racial background & courts danger by passing as white. Years later, his love of jazz, coupled with personal tragedy makes him reflect on his identity and his past, while back in Cardiff his family are facing their own grief and hardship. ‘Anna Corbett’s vivid portrayal of the Tiger Bay community in Cardiff during the 1920s and ’30s is both truthful and tender-hearted, yet the discontented George decides to reject it all to follow his dreams to America. There he discovers that those dreams come at some considerable cost. The many interesting characters who accompany him on his life journey are deftly woven into an engaging story of love, identity and redemption. Set in two multicultural communities separated by the Atlantic Ocean but united by the rhythms of music and life, Tiger Bay in Cardiff and Harlem in New York City, Masquerade is an extraordinary debut – a smart, sensual and witty novel that is deeply informed by archival research and Anna’s extensive, lifelong passion for Jazz music.’ Jeremy Rees, Radio Presenter & Jazz Show host at Radio Cardiff
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2020
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About the author
Anna Corbett
2 books2 followersMy family roots are from Ghana and the Caribbean. I was born and brought up in Cornwall and we were the only black family living there at the time. The issue of belonging has always interested me. A love of jazz played a vital role in our home life and identity within an all-white community of the early to mid-century in Cornwall. Following a successful career in education in inner London as well as promoting London jazz during the 80s, I have lived in London for my whole adult life apart from two years in Cardiff recently, where I enjoyed co-hosting a weekly jazz show on Radio Cardiff. Since retirement I have completed further study at Goldsmiths University and embarked on my career as a writer. I have always written short stories for pleasure and 'Masquerade' is my first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 30, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Masquerade
Author: Anna Corbett
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 17 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
13 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Interesting story in terms of a mixed-race family and the racism of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characterisation was particularly strong.” Male reader, aged 45
“A book of race and jazz music. A thought-provoking read, although very slow going and ponderous. The author´s knowledge of the time and place is superb, helping to bring the chapters to life.” Female reader, aged 53
“I suspect anybody interested in the music scene in Harlem will find this a compelling read. The author offers a number of interesting, fully formed characters for the readers to get to know. I suspect a good editor might want to speed up the story a little, as the pacing felt off in parts. But it´s an enjoyable and educational novel.” Male reader, aged 39
“I liked many things about this book. Firstly, the cover looks cool, pulling me into the story. Secondly, the author´s knowledge of both settings is admirable. Thirdly, she keeps the emphasis on the characters, and I happen to like character led books. Music lover will find this book particularly interesting.” Male reader, aged 41
To Sum It Up:
‘A thoroughly enjoyable historical novel with a cast of fully developed and interesting characters.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Masquerade
Author: Anna Corbett
Star Rating: 3.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 6/10
Writing Style: 6/10
Content: 7/10
Cover: 4/5
Of the 17 readers:
11 would read another book by this author.
14 thought the cover was good or excellent.
17 felt it was easy to follow.
13 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
11 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“Interesting story in terms of a mixed-race family and the racism of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characterisation was particularly strong.” Male reader, aged 45
“A book of race and jazz music. A thought-provoking read, although very slow going and ponderous. The author´s knowledge of the time and place is superb, helping to bring the chapters to life.” Female reader, aged 53
“I suspect anybody interested in the music scene in Harlem will find this a compelling read. The author offers a number of interesting, fully formed characters for the readers to get to know. I suspect a good editor might want to speed up the story a little, as the pacing felt off in parts. But it´s an enjoyable and educational novel.” Male reader, aged 39
“I liked many things about this book. Firstly, the cover looks cool, pulling me into the story. Secondly, the author´s knowledge of both settings is admirable. Thirdly, she keeps the emphasis on the characters, and I happen to like character led books. Music lover will find this book particularly interesting.” Male reader, aged 41
To Sum It Up:
‘A thoroughly enjoyable historical novel with a cast of fully developed and interesting characters.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
November 15, 2023
Brilliant book - gripping and thoughtful.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews