Songs to Read By: The Blues in White Tears

We talked to novelist Hari Kunzru about his newest book, White Tears for WLIW’s new online interview show Author Imprint. White Tears is a ghost story that explores America’s racial tensions through the history of the Blues. The book begins in modern-day Williamsburg with a young music producer named Seth, who comes across a mysterious Blues song that sends him on a surreal, terrifying journey through time and space. Soon, Seth starts to realize the past might not be buried after all.

Here’s some music that Hari Kunzru references in the book. We guarantee that listening won’t rip the space-time continuum!

Mississippi John Hurt – You Just Gotta Walk That Lonesome Valley

Robert Johnson – Me and the Devil Blues

Barbecue Bob – Motherless Child

Skip James – Mountain Jack

Willie Brown – Ragged and Dirty

Robert Wilkins – That’s No Way to Get Along

The Harlem Hamfats – Oh Red

Blind Willie McTell – You Was Born to Die

Cab Calloway – St. James Infirmary

Miles Davis and Charlie Parker – A Night in Tunisia

Lightnin’ Hopkins – Black Cat Bone

The Clovers – Mint Julep