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Narrative style and themes

The novel deliberately mirrors the music of its title, with various characters "improvising" solo compositions that fit together to create a whole work. The tone of the novel also shifts with these compositions, from bluesy laments to up beat, sensual ragtime. The novel also utilizes the call and response style of Jazz music, allowing the characters to explore the same events from different perspectives.

The various "improvisations" in the novel are held together by an ostensibly omniscient, anonymous narrator. Unusual for this style of narration, the narrative voice is in the first person and not the third person.

One of the main themes of the novel is purgatory and the cathartic ability of Jazz music.