Last Night at the Blue Angel

"Mother is a singer. I live in her dark margin."
What a terrific opening line! I loved it! And you know what? I loved the rest of the novel just as much.  It's pretty exciting to find a novel I have no qualms about recommending; it's well-written with totally engaging characters and a strong story arc.  It's definitely headed somewhere, and this reader was quite happy to follow the yellow brick road.

Rebecca Rotert sets her debut novel in Chicago in the 60s, amidst the somewhat seedy but intriguing world of jazz clubs.  The story is told from the perspective of ten-year-old Sophia, the slightly precocious but highly likable daughter of Naomi, a struggling jazz singer.  Naomi's strong point is her voice; her weak point, well, she has a few and parenting is one of them.  Naomi's struggles with motherhood and her dependence on others to help care for Sophia are a major thread throughout the story:

Mother's feelings are the curb I walk, trying to keep my balance, and I get tired of being careful, and mad at her at the same time. But then she tales my hand and smiles at me...and suddenly I'm on solid footing again...our life is perfect. 

While there is absolutely no doubting Naomi's love for her daughter and Sophia's adoration of her mother,  it's a chaotic relationship complicated by Naomi's frequently confusing romantic choices involving both men and women.  And yet, the people surrounding Naomi and Sophia love them and step in to fill the parenting gaps whenever needed (which is fairly often).  Sophia has a particularly strong relationship with one of her mother's most reliable beaus, vastly under appreciated by Naomi but adored by Sophia. He's a good guy; one can't help but root for him, but is he just a little TOO steady for Naomi who prefers her lovers with a dash of danger?

Through flashbacks, we come to a better understanding of Naomi's issues; the backstory on Sophia's father is well done and as he moves back into Sophia's life the reader may not know whether or not to wish for his re-entry into their lives: life is complicated. Lots of gray in this story and that always makes things more interesting, doesn't it?

I was really pulled into this story, enjoying the eccentric cast of supporting characters and the roles they played in Sophia's and Naomi's lives, as well.

Very engaging, with a Chicago connection, to boot!

My rating: ***