Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday [Paperback]

Alexis De Veaux (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1987

Presents a prose poem recounting the life of the American jazz singer affectionately known as Lady Day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Writers & Readers (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863161324
• ISBN-13: 978-0863161322
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,729,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry & Music blend, February 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday (Paperback)

I have read a few books about Billie Holiday. I have seen a few films and, of course I have many of her records. This book is great for both people who wish to learn something about Lady Day and for people who already know and love her but wish to savor the author's elequent prose. Writen as an extended poem, this accessible and readable 150 pager is the perfect way to fill just one day (or an afternoon) with a good read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "...the quintessential symbol of Black female creativity", June 27, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday (Paperback)

In "Don't Explain: A Song of Billie Holiday," author Alexis De Veaux tells the story of the great jazz singer in the form of a book-length poem. De Veaux recreates the magic of Harlem in the late 1920s, the grimness of the Great Depression, and the excitement of Billie's early gigs as a young singer. "Don't Explain" also tells about the racism Billie endured, and about her struggle with drug addiction. Especially fascinating is De Veaux's version of the story behind the great protest song, "Strange Fruit."

De Veaux writes in a smooth vernacular style. Interspersed throughout her poetic text are sections of drama-like dialogue between Billie and various individuals in her life. Photographs and sheet music are also blended, collage-like, into parts of the text.

I attended a presentation by author De Veaux during which she discussed this book. She said, "For me, Billie Holiday was the quintessential symbol of Black female creativity." (Hence the title of this review.) "Don't Explain" is a beautifully written tribute to a great artist, and is itself a noteworthy achievement in African-American literature.