Nearly 700 works by over 500 authors are presented in Jazz Fiction: A
History and Comprehensive Reader's Guide, a comprehensive annotated
bibliography of stories and novels that contain a jazz component.
Presenting a valuable overview of the history of the genre from its
beginnings to the near present, the book compartmentalizes the titles
into literature genres, such as children, teen, and young adult stories;
mystery and detective fiction; fantasy and science fiction; women and
jazz; works based on the lives of actual jazz artists; international
jazz fiction (representing over 20 countries); and even "Jazz" Fiction
Sans Music: books that imply musical content but actually have none. A
series of sub-genres such as "Big Band and Swing," "Blues," "Pulp and
Smut," and "Novelizations" are identified, providing examples of works
that characterize these categories and offering readers with specialized
interests an easy reference. Also included are two short-lists, one for
short stories, the other for novels, giving readers who desire to learn
more about jazz fiction suggestions on where to begin. David Rife's
annotations qualify as short critical essays, generally providing a
jargon-free, often witty presentation, making them a pleasure to read.
Broad in scope, meticulously researched, and comprehensive with titles
that have long been inaccessible, this definitive resource is essential
for libraries and valuable to scholars and fans of jazz and literature.
