Coming Through Slaughter
Coming Through Slaughter by Michael Ondaatje is a literary exploration of the life of Buddy Bolden, a pioneering cornet player in early twentieth-century New Orleans. Published by Penguin Random House in December 2022, this edition spans 176 pages and is presented in English. The narrative intricately weaves together memoirs, interviews, and imagined dialogues to portray Bolden’s dual existence as a barber by day and a jazz innovator by night.
Readers will find a rich depiction of city life and cultural heritage, as Ondaatje delves into the complexities of Bolden’s character and his tumultuous relationships. The book captures the essence of a vibrant musical scene while also addressing the personal struggles that accompany such talent. Through its biographical and historical lens, Coming Through Slaughter offers insights into the world of jazz and the life of an artist grappling with both acclaim and inner turmoil.
Official synopsis Publisher
Discover Michael Ondaatje’s debut novel, ‘a beautifully detailed story, perhaps the finest jazz novel ever written’ Sunday Times
Based on the life of cornet player Buddy Bolden, one of the legendary jazz pioneers of turn-of-the-twentieth-century New Orleans, Coming Through Slaughter is an extraordinary recreation of a remarkable musical life and a tragic conclusion. Through a collage of memoirs, interviews, imaginary conversations and monologues, Ondaatje builds a picture of a man who would work by day at a barber shop and by night unleash his talent to wild audiences who had never experienced such playing. But Buddy was also playing the field with two women, and inside his head was a ticking time-bomb which he was unable to stop.
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