Books › Trumpet
Trumpet
First published 1998 · 288 pages
A soulful, polyphonic exploration of grief, identity, and the complex truths that bind a family together.
What it feels like
Reading this novel feels like listening to a soulful jazz composition, where distinct, brilliantly realized voices weave together to explore the aching aftermath of a profound loss. The narrative unfolds at a steady, reflective pace, immersing the reader in a melancholic yet deeply tender atmosphere. As the story shifts between a grieving widow seeking the solace of memory and a son grappling with a stunning family secret, the prose remains evocative and intimate. It is a poignant exploration of LGBTQ identity, the weight of hidden truths, and the enduring nature of love. This book will deeply resonate with readers who are drawn to character-driven, multi-perspective stories that examine the complex foundations of family and the intimate realities of a life lived on one's own terms.
- Mood
- melancholic
- aching
- soulful
- tender
- Tone
- poignant
- reflective
- evocative
- intimate
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- the complexity of grief · foundations of family · gender identity and secrets · the enduring nature of love · memory and truth
- The writing
- Evocative and polyphonic, weaving together brilliantly realized, distinct voices like instruments in a jazz ensemble.
- The arc
- Moves from the shock of a sudden revelation and the raw ache of grief toward a deeper understanding of a complex, unshakable love.
- Who it's for
- Readers who appreciate character-driven, multi-perspective narratives exploring family secrets, grief, and LGBTQ identity.
Content notes
- grief and mourning
- press intrusion
- family conflict
- death of a parent and spouse
About the book
At its center is Joss Moody, a celebrated jazz trumpeter who created music that convinced everyone who heard it that they knew the man who made it. But Joss's death has proved them all wrong: Joss Moody lived his life inside a stunning secret. His wife, Millie, had known about it. But their adopted son, Colman, now in his thirties, has just learned of it. With everything he understood about himself and his family thrown into question, Colman forms an uncomfortable alliance with a journalist intent on telling Joss's story her own way. Millie, grieving and besieged by the press, secludes herself in their home in a small Scottish village, sinking into the aching solace of memory.
Their two brilliantly realized voices -- one revisiting the past for comfort, the other for answers -- are interwoven with the equally evocative voices of Joss's drummer, of the doctor who discovered Joss's secret, of the funeral director who hid it for the last time, of the registrar of death certificates, and of the journalist. Together they reveal the startling and poignant story of Joss and Millie: how a complex, dazzling lie became the foundation for a family, a life, and a rare, unshakable love.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Trumpet
See why they match
JazzToni MorrisonA syncopated, intoxicating plunge into the vibrant chaos of 1920s Harlem and the haunting echoes of the past.
Tipping the VelvetSarah WatersA lush, theatrical romp through Victorian London's queer underground that is as gritty as it is glamorous.
Young MungoDouglas StuartA devastatingly tender exploration of queer first love blooming in the cracks of a brutal, hyper-masculine world.
The lost trumpetJames Leslie MitchellA sun-baked, philosophical expedition into the Egyptian desert where ancient myths challenge the disillusionment of the modern era.
Ben's TrumpetRachel IsadoraA rhythmic, visually striking tribute to the magic of jazz and the quiet power of a childhood dream.
Light From Uncommon StarsRyka AokiA genre-bending symphony of cosmic wonder, cursed violins, and fresh donuts that feels like a warm, defiant embrace.