Reviews

The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

macondo's review against another edition

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5.0

I long for books to take me into a world, to transport me. The Piano Tuner succeeded, taking me to places that stirred old memories of travelling and living in south east Asia. Loved this book which bit by bit absorbed and enveloped me.

rosekimknits's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.5

simona8's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

lindeleest's review against another edition

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4.0

Good, got me thinking. Unique story.

And I would love to go to Burma!

darthie's review against another edition

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adventurous informative mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

champers4days's review against another edition

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2.0

This book actually reminded me of Conrad's Heart of Darkness (another book that did nothing for me); both main characters are from England, embark on a life-changing journey through the wilds of a distant country, and of course, there's a river! Although props to Mason, The Piano Tuner actually felt as though it had an ending that, whether or not you liked it, added a sense of finality to the book (I never got the feeling that HoD ended, so much as someone lost those final pages when the book went to print). Not that it's very likely you would be in a position to chose one over the other, but in comparison, The Piano Tuner offers an interesting story, with a hint of romance, and none of Conrad's heavy-handed metaphors, clunky symbolism and snake imagery!

icecoldkarl's review against another edition

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adventurous informative medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

vickywong710's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

revolutionerdy's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

lwb's review against another edition

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3.0

I found this book satisfying on several counts. The picture of colonial Burma through the thoughtful eyes of an unassuming piano tuner, the backdrop of a happy marriage and the exotic Burmese companion, the recluse genius and his Machiavellian intrigues all worked for me. The ending not so much.