"Train Whistle Guitar" is a novel written by Albert Murray, an American author, literary and cultural critic, and social theorist. Published in 1974, the novel is set in Gasoline Point, Alabama, during the 1920s and follows the lives of Scooter, Sonny, and Dandy Dorris, three brothers who are musicians striving to make a name for themselves in the jazz scene. The novel explores themes such as race, music, and the African American experience in the South during the early 20th century. Murray's writing style in "Train Whistle Guitar" is known for its vivid descriptions, rhythmic prose, and musicality, mirroring the jazz music that is central to the story. The novel is praised for its rich characterization, cultural insights, and its portrayal of the power of music as a means of self-expression and resistance in the face of adversity. Overall, "Train Whistle Guitar" is considered a significant work in African American literature, capturing the spirit of the jazz age and offering a nuanced depiction of race and identity in the American South.
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