I Hear a Melody

Set from 1954 until present times in Cornwall and London, the story begins with seven-year-old Sarah Hodges, a mixed-race child and her loving parents. Music, particularly jazz is a major part of their family, a backdrop to her Cornish childhood and her adult life in London. She considers how to navigate her way as an outsider throughout. A major life event, together with people she meets helps her to reflect upon her own identity.

Author Biography

Anna Corbett was born and brought up in Cornwall. She was brought up to learn about their family histories as well as being cognizant and understanding of the society in which they lived. After they married her parents settled in Truro, Cornwall and had a family of six children. As the only Black family in the community at the time, they were very noticeable. Jazz has always played a big part of Anna’s life; it was often the music they played at home and was a valued part of their racial identity. Some of their family members play instruments and family parties are always an occasion to enjoy making music, particularly jazz.
When she left school she came to London to study and enjoyed a fulfilling teaching career. Afterwards she embarked on further study: a degree in English and American Literature, followed by an MA in Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths University prior to embarking on writing Masquerade. She takes every opportunity to listen to live jazz in New York and London when she’s not spending time with her family or being captivated by a wealth of other cultural activities. She recently lived in Cardiff for two years, where she was able to do further research on her first novel as well as having an exciting time co-presenting a weekly jazz show on Radio Cardiff.