Bone Music [Paperback]

Alan Rodgers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2003

A little over sixty years ago, Robert Johnson died of poison in a little town up off the bluff in Arkansas. In an hour, a little girl named Lisa will die of cancer. Such different deaths -- but linked, horribly and inevitably, by the crime Robert Johnson committed in the hour that he died. That Crime was Judgment Day: Robert Johnson sang Judgment Day, the song to end the world, as he lay dying in that shack up off the Mississippi River bluff -- and nothing anywhere in the world has been right since. 'Startling originality, a strong and rhythmic narrative voice, compelling characters, and delightfully quirky metaphysics make this a noteworthy hardcover debut for Rodgers, author of New Life for the Dead. . . . Well-realized settings range from contemporary New York City to Missouri and Mississippi in 1938; heaven and hell both come down to earth in modern New Orleans. Through colloquial prose that's strong and perfectly pitched, Rodgers combines elements of horror (sometimes graphic), fantasy, and magical realism into a unique novel that's not only an occult standout but a captivating memoir of an important slice of American culture.' -- Publishers Weekly 'The highest praise one writer can give another is to say 'I wish I'd written that book.' I would cheerfully trade my younger brother Rick, my collection of original Beatles cards, and any hope that my beloved Cleveland Indians will ever win a World Series to have written Alan Rodgers' Bone Music.' -- George Alec Effinger, author of When Gravity Fails 'Alan Rodgers . . . uses simple and beautiful words to tell this complex and horrific story. Really weird! Don't die until you've read Bone Music.' -- Brian Lumley, author of Necroscope 'Alan Rodgers' Bone Music is a work of mythological proportions. He captures the beauty and the horror of the old bluesmen, the terror and majesty of Heaven and Hell, and mixes it all into a potent tale of earthly woe. For atmosphere, real soul, and a touch of mystical madness, read the dream that is Bone Music.' -- Billie Sue Mosiman, author of Widow

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Startling originality, a strong and rhythmic narrative voice, compelling characters and delightfully quirky metaphysics make this a noteworthy hardcover debut for Rodgers, author of New Life for the Dead and other paperback horror novels. In this apocalyptic tale rich in the mythos of the African-inspired religion of Santeria, the singing at his death by blues musician Robert Johnson of the legendary, forbidden song Judgment Day cracks the Eye of the World, allowing the forces of evil entree to the earth. Assorted blues singers, including Leadbelly, Ma Rainey, and even Elvis; mythic figures such as John Henry and Saint Peter; more mundane heroes and heroines such as musician Dan Alvarez and Lisa Henderson, a young girl who dies and returns to life?all have pivotal roles to play in saving the world. Well-realized settings range from contemporary New York City to Missouri and Mississippi in 1938; heaven and hell both come down to earth in modern New Orleans. Through colloquial prose that's strong and perfectly pitched, Rodgers combines elements of horror (sometimes graphic), fantasy and magical realism into a unique novel that's not only an occult standout but a captivating memoir of an important slice of American culture.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

...He captures the beauty and the horror of the old bluesmen, the terror and majesty of Heaven and Hell... -- Billie Sue Mosiman, author of Widow

...Rodgers’s Bone Music mixes suspense, horror, and magic to create a nerve-wracking and unique tale of music and terror. -- Matthew J. Costello, author of The Seventh Guest

...blends the hellish and horrific in perfect harmony. ...terror-filled trek across an entirely original yet hauntingly historic American dreamscape... -- Joseph A. Citro, author of Deus-X

Alan Rodgers . . . uses simple and beautiful words to tell this complex and horrific story. Really weird! Don’t die until you’ve read Bone Music. -- Brian Lumley, author of Necroscope

The highest praise one writer can give another is to say ‘I wish I’d written that book...’ -- George Alec Effinger, author of When Gravity Fails

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press; 2nd edition (February 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587152517
• ISBN-13: 978-1587152511
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,693,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wild modern fantasy/horror with a blues soundtrack, October 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Bone Music (Hardcover)

Well, I first read this book about 5 years ago, when I came across it in the bookstore I managed. I was intrigued, and it was on sale, so I figured what the heck. It is, by far, one of my most favourite books, as it blends a modern fantasy borrowing heavily from catholocism, voodoo, santeria, and incorporates the mystic legends behind the Delta Blues. It's the story of Robert Johnson (real life blues legend) who, with his dying breath, endangers all of the world by breaking the Eye of the World. As the story progresses, Robert and several others band together to try to save the world from becoming Hell. Add to it a bunch of musical legends, including Elvis, and you've got a great book.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The VooDoo will grab you and won't let go!, February 1, 2001

By 

Kevin Steller (Louisville, Ky United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bone Music (Paperback)

I picked up this booked based on the cover, as crazy as that sounds. While I do not know much about blues music and the mytique that surrounds New Orleans and Memphis, I was totally immersed in this amazing tale. You will find yourself reading it cover to cover before you realize it. Enjoy!