Ella

"She could levitate on top of a note, sustain it and ride away on it." ~ 71%

You think of one woman when you hear the name "Ella" and that's Ms. Ella Fitzgerald, the famous singer and dancer of the 20th century. Debut novel Ella is a fictional retelling of her early years. When her mother dies, 15-year-old Ella leads a fast life of working for the mob, being incarcerated and dancing for pennies in Harlem. Finally in November 1934, she appears on Amateur Night at the Apollo. Older and wiser, she becomes the Ella we have come to know.

Ella is an okay read but could have been more substantial for a debut. I cannot quite pinpoint what disinterested me early on. Perhaps it was the writing style (nonfictional narrative rather than dialogue) or the imbalance of the highs and lows of Ella's life. I was not familiar with the deets of her teenage years so this part was interesting but overpowered her triumphant years. While I appreciate adversity, I would have appreciated the novel if she were celebrated more.

Happy Early Pub Day, Diane Richards! Ella will be available Tuesday, May 7.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Ella
Author: Diane Richards
Published: May 2024
Pages: 294
Edition: Galley
Genre: Biographical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤