The first and last paragraph—the prologue and epilogue—are identical, framing the story, and creating a musical effect of refrain. Taken together, this pro-epilogue suggests the intimate relationship of what follows and what comes before. Another example of balance, or symmetry, as a premier quality of this book is the care taken to legitimize both scientific and artistic ways of knowing. Tamar implies that science and art in tandem help us make sense of ourselves and the world around us.

Scientist extraordinaire, Jeff Breslow, serves as a foil for Linda Ann. This "foil" function helps readers sharpen their perception of the central character, her flaws, her gifts, and her attributes.

Although Tamar does not allude overtly to other written works, her narrative draws, covertly, upon a deepening literary tradition of writing about jazz and jazz musicians. For example, Blues for Silk Garcia treats...