sometimes, i just pluck a random book off my shelf to read (lol did ya like that 🎻 pun?) and this was, sadly, not a winner for me. it’s such an interesting thing to read a book after all the hype around it has simmered down (i usually prefer it!) and without other opinions in my head, i found myself feeling that it was so slow and overall not compelling to me, despite there being moments of brilliance, particularly regarding racism and ray’s responses to how he was treated as a Black musician. i wanted so much more intrigue here than i found! i hate to say it, but i was so bored by it. 🫣

⭐️⭐️⭐️ in the end, but tbh, that feels a little generous… I’M SORRY!!!

thanks to @vintageanchorbooks for sending me this one!