The Songs

The completely self-absorbed, ultimately inscrutable protagonist at the center of this thoughtful novel about fame and fortune is American folk singer Iz Herzl, beloved by millions for his passionate political advocacy and commitment to social justice. Although Iz has built a lucrative career from his protest songs and battling injustice around the world, his personal life does not reflect the same compassion and mindfulness. Like Mr. Toppit, Elton's first novel, this new work examines the complex, mostly dark consequences of a family dealing with public notoriety and stardom, and it is not a pretty picture. Iz is estranged from his three ex-wives, and he has difficult and mostly absent relationships with his three children. In fact, he has met his oldest son only once. Elton is interested in examining a thorny philosophical question: Should our knowledge of a revered public figure's personal life influence in any way our understanding and evaluation of that individual's public work and achievement? Elton clearly thinks it should, and readers are likely to agree as well, once they reach the end of this sad and moving novel.