Screamin' Jay Hawkins' All-Time Greatest Hits A Novel

Step into the extraordinary world of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the legendary showman who burst from coffins on stage and bewitched audiences with his singular hit, "I Put a Spell On You." Mark Binelli's novel offers a vivid, fantastical journey through the life of a musician who blurred the lines between reality and performance, crafting his own outrageous mythology.

This book delves into the enigmatic persona of a bluesman known for his theatricality and audacious claims, from being raised by Blackfoot Indians to fathering dozens of children. Through a collage-like narrative, it explores the hilarious, tragic, and often bizarre tapestry of Hawkins's existence, examining how a Black artist navigated societal expectations and created a legacy built as much on myth as on music. Discover a story that is both a celebration of an unforgettable figure and a subversive look at authenticity, inviting readers to question what is real and what is spellbinding invention.