Adrian
asked
Ray Celestin:
Hi Ray; Did you spend much time in New Orleans during your research for the series; and, if so, how do you feel it has changed since the era of Louis Armstrong? I love the maps you have put up for the second and third book but it is New Orleans that draws my interest given it's continued notoriety for being a mecca for music lovers.
Ray Celestin
Hi Adrian,
Sorry for the late response.
I'm afraid I spent no time at all in New Orleans. In fact, of all the cities the quartet books are set in, I've only spent significant time in New York (where I lived briefly). So pretty much all the books have been written from the comfort of my bedroom back in London.
I always feel like when I mention this fact, I'm going to be disappointing people, so sorry if that's the case. But, yeah, all my research was second-hand, based on historical sources I found via the internet or at the British Library. I did run the original book by a couple of New Orleans readers to make sure it felt authentic and they asked me to make some small changes and then okay-ed it. So that's the process, I've been going by. So, yeah, sorry if that's not the answer you hoped for.
As to how it's changed, obviously I can't answer that first-hand, but from the books I read, it seems like one of the biggest changes was the town-planning in the 40s and 50s, when lots of the historic parts of the city were ripped up so that freeways could be laid down. So much of the history and character was apparently lost back then in the rush to make it a 'modern' / car-friendly city. It's a real shame, and unfortunately, a situation was has been repeated across countless cities and decades.
Sorry for the late response.
I'm afraid I spent no time at all in New Orleans. In fact, of all the cities the quartet books are set in, I've only spent significant time in New York (where I lived briefly). So pretty much all the books have been written from the comfort of my bedroom back in London.
I always feel like when I mention this fact, I'm going to be disappointing people, so sorry if that's the case. But, yeah, all my research was second-hand, based on historical sources I found via the internet or at the British Library. I did run the original book by a couple of New Orleans readers to make sure it felt authentic and they asked me to make some small changes and then okay-ed it. So that's the process, I've been going by. So, yeah, sorry if that's not the answer you hoped for.
As to how it's changed, obviously I can't answer that first-hand, but from the books I read, it seems like one of the biggest changes was the town-planning in the 40s and 50s, when lots of the historic parts of the city were ripped up so that freeways could be laid down. So much of the history and character was apparently lost back then in the rush to make it a 'modern' / car-friendly city. It's a real shame, and unfortunately, a situation was has been repeated across countless cities and decades.
More Answered Questions
Haley The Caffeinated Reader
asked
Ray Celestin:
When did you come up with the idea of using jazz parallel to mobsters? You do a brilliant job and I absolutely loved your use of the song structure as the structure of the book! (Musicology graduate here, your books have been my favorite new mysteries/crimes to come out!)
Lee Salter
asked
Ray Celestin:
Hi Ray, I'm just starting Sunset Swing, having read the first three in the series in about a fortnight!! Absolutely love what you've created with these books. Just a question about your process really. What's the ratio of research time / writing time? Did you have an interest in the Mafia or Jazz before embarking on the series?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Mar 19, 2020 06:01AM · flag
Mar 20, 2020 09:43AM · flag