Half-Blood Blues

Half-Blood Blues is both the title of the novel and the name that Hiero gives to the jazz version of the Nazi anthem that he plays. Several characters are identified as “half-bloods” with mixed ancestry. Meanwhile, the song’s categorization as blues connects it with a larger African American spiritual tradition, even as that tradition is blended with Germanic song. Discuss the significance of the title. What is it that Hiero tries to capture musically about the experience of those with multiracial identity?

Sid’s story is not presented chronologically. Instead, it starts at a climactic point and then goes back and forth between two parallel storylines set 50 years apart. Discuss the impact of Edugyan’s structural decisions on the reader experience. How does the interweaving of the two narratives yield fresh insight and heightened drama?

Sid’s narration is colloquial in style, matching the rich oral traditions of his Baltimore upbringing. Investigate the unique characteristics of Sid’s voice, including imagery, humor, diction, and so on. What do your findings reveal about Sid as a character?