Description
Jazz Cafe the Ripper
Book Summary
A noir jazz novel that weaves together two eras through a devilish pact. In 1945 New York, a heroin-addicted trumpeter struggles to create a masterpiece in a world of gangsters and showgirls. A century earlier, in the revolutionary Paris of 1848, Charles Baudelaire immerses himself in the paradises of opium and occultism. What sinister connection links these two worlds? How could a wayward musician give birth to the sublime "Kind of Blue"? Luis Artigue weaves a plot of ambition, revenge, and souls sold to the devil with an unforgettable soundtrack.
What is it about?
The novel begins with an exorcism and a reincarnation that trigger two plots separated by a century. On one hand, in 1848 Paris, during the revolution, the poet Charles Baudelaire delves into the libertine taverns of Montparnasse, faithful to the paradises of opium and an occult wisdom that leads him to a proposal as devilish as it is impossible to refuse. On the other hand, in 1945 New York, a wayward, heroin-addicted trumpeter navigates Harlem jazz clubs, mobsters in wide-brimmed hats, drug raids, and showgirls, all while attempting to create the album that will change jazz history: "Kind of Blue." Ambition, crime, drugs, a saint with syphilis, and a brilliant soundtrack come together in a story where souls are sold to the devil and music is the price.
Main themes
- Jazz as an artistic expression and mirror of a tumultuous era.
- The Faustian pact and the sale of the soul as a creative and destructive force.
- Drug addiction and its relationship with artistic creation.
- Occultism and esoteric wisdom in 19th-century revolutionary Paris.
- Unbridled ambition and revenge in a world of gangsters and organized crime.
Who is it recommended for?
For fans of the classic crime novel with a noir atmosphere, jazz aficionados who want to explore its mythology and history, and readers of contemporary fiction who enjoy interwoven historical plots, shadowy characters, and a touch of occultism and magical realism. It will also interest those looking for an original reinterpretation of the Faustian myth in an artistic context.
What this book offers
- An immersion into two golden ages: the revolutionary Paris of 1848 and the jazz-age New York of the 1940s.
- A plot that combines criminal intrigue, art history, and supernatural elements with rhythm and tension.
- A vivid portrait of real figures like Charles Baudelaire and the creative process behind a legendary album.
- A reflection on the price of genius and the boundaries between creation and self-destruction.
- A literary soundtrack that makes jazz one of the story's characters.
Technical specifications
- Author: Artigue, Luis
- Publisher: Editorial Pez de Plata
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: JAZZ, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, HUMOR
- Collection: NARRATIVA PEZ DE PLATA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: February 2020
- Number of pages: 296
- Weight: 400 g
Editorial review
An original proposal that successfully fuses the noir novel, jazz, and historical occultism. Luis Artigue builds a dual narrative that maintains interest thanks to the strength of his characters and the meticulous setting of two key moments in cultural history. The work will be especially attractive to those seeking a reading that transcends the conventional crime genre and delves into the myth and legend surrounding jazz and its creators. Its tone, between the sordid and the sublime, makes it a stimulating option for a readership with artistic and literary interests.