Frog Music

Songs. The setting for Emma Donoghue’s novel, Frog Music, is California, mostly during the hot summer of 1876. Using great dialogue and descriptive language, Donoghue leads readers back and forth over short time periods. On one level, this novel is a murder mystery, which will satisfy readers who like that genre. On another level, this is a character study, especially of protagonist Blanche Beunon, a burlesque dancer and mother of a young son. All the characters and the setting are enhanced by the words Donoghue uses to help us see and even smell the places described. The songs of that period provide another level of context for the plot and for insight into what life was like in San Francisco at that time. Readers who appreciate fine literary writing will find much to enjoy in this novel. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Frog Music from amazon.com.