Reviews - Symphony of Secrets

1.22k reviews for:

Symphony of Secrets

Brendan Slocumb

4.32 AVERAGE

ladypageling's review

4.5

emotional mysterious tense 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: Complicated

jessies's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

juliaehill's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This novel surpassed expectations. Set in 1920s New York, a mediocre white male composer takes advantage of a neurodivergent Black woman's genius at musical composition by selling her songs as his own. In the present day, a Black professor and his brilliant computer scientist friend start to unravel this mystery as they transcribe the composer's recently discovered lost symphony. Part thriller, part literary commentary on race and musical appropriation, and a truly absorbing read.

mgeorges's review

4.0

mysterious reflective medium-paced

This read was unlike any other that I've read this year. The writing style feels a little stilted sometimes, and some moments or ideas could have been written with more nuance. That said, Slocumb tells a story that deeply resonates with some of my own experiences and brings light to people and subjects whose stories are not always considered. This story is a gateway to some relevant and meaningful conversations about origins, race, music, academia, injustice, and neurodivergence. If I rated this book solely on my enjoyment, I'd give it a three, but because of its thought-provoking approach to these topics, I'll give it a 3.5.