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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Lovely mix of quirky characters, slightly absurd situations, heartwarming romance, a little dark side, and music ... a whole lotta music. An enjoyable romp! Gift from a friend who really nailed my tastes.
I enjoyed the writing and how the characters came together to help each other. Each character different and yet the same. The music selection to move the story along was fabulous.
It is 1988, and the rest of the world is gravitating toward listening to music on CDs, while Frank, the owner of a quaint music shop, holds on to vinyl with a vengeance. His specialty as a shop owner is matching people to music. Frank introduces them to music they might not otherwise have chosen and teaches them how to really listen to music. His reluctance to add CDs to his shop proves to be a financial mistake causing him to struggle to keep the shop open. He is set in his ways and feels life is fine until one day when Isle walks into his shop. Suddenly his world is shaken.
Rachel Joyce has a talent for writing character-driven books about interesting characters and depicting them in such a way I feel I really know them. I loved watching the relationship between Frank and Isle develop, as well as Frank’s growth. Even though I love listening to music, I would love to meet someone like Frank, who could teach me how to really listen to music and get more out of it. The sense of community is outstanding as well in this book. This heart-warming book gave me the same feeling some of my favorite British movies that have charming, quirky characters and a strong sense of community. If you are a music lover, the music references are a bonus.
For other reviews see: marysreadallaboutit.wordpress.com
Rachel Joyce has a talent for writing character-driven books about interesting characters and depicting them in such a way I feel I really know them. I loved watching the relationship between Frank and Isle develop, as well as Frank’s growth. Even though I love listening to music, I would love to meet someone like Frank, who could teach me how to really listen to music and get more out of it. The sense of community is outstanding as well in this book. This heart-warming book gave me the same feeling some of my favorite British movies that have charming, quirky characters and a strong sense of community. If you are a music lover, the music references are a bonus.
For other reviews see: marysreadallaboutit.wordpress.com
This sounded right up my alley for light reading. "A story of music, loss and hope." Quirky love story. Friendships between lonely, socially awkward characters. Set in an unnamed city in England. It's a great concept, but it didn't quite get there.
I liked the concept. Frank owns a run-down old record store where he sells only vinyl records. He has a healing ability: the ability to meet someone and know what piece of music they need - the piece of music that will heal them. He knows everything about music and can communicate not only facts but his passion for it, to others. He's friends with a variety of quirky, lonely people who live and work on his street. He meets a woman, Ilse, who happens to come into his shop, and instantly falls in love with her. That's all pretty good so far, though the requirement to suspend all sense of reality begins with wondering how on earth Frank can employ staff in his shop when apparently he makes next to no money!
But Ilse has a secret, and Frank is wounded by abandonment issues. So, they go back and forth, things happen, lots of time goes by.
Things I disliked: So many moments where you have to enlist your willing suspension of disbelief. Just too many for this type of book, which could have been successful while being more grounded in the obstacles people really face in their romantic lives. It ends up being almost more like a fairy tale of some kind.
Other dislikes: Frank is definitely no catch. The novel fails to successfully state why Ilse would love him so much, outside of "love at first sight", which honestly doesn't seem strong enough to carry her through all the obstacles of the novel. He's mostly kind and has this special talent about music, but damn is he a fixer-upper. I found Ilse's "secret" annoying and manipulative. As in, that's it?! That's your big secret?! Come on!!
And maybe its biggest issue for me is the undercurrent of sadness that runs through this novel. Maybe it should be marketed differently. I was expecting romance, joy and music, with of course some obstacles thrown in or it wouldn't be a story. What I got - a sad fairy tale romance. What's here? Childhood trauma. Broken dreams. Poverty. Gentrification. Loneliness. Homelessness. Depression. A little romance and friendship.
All, apparently, resolved in the last three pages!!
I'm making it sound pretty dire - because I think I'm more annoyed by its imperfections on reflection - but there were some things I enjoyed about it, and it didn't demand too much of me, which is a good thing right now.
I liked the concept. Frank owns a run-down old record store where he sells only vinyl records. He has a healing ability: the ability to meet someone and know what piece of music they need - the piece of music that will heal them. He knows everything about music and can communicate not only facts but his passion for it, to others. He's friends with a variety of quirky, lonely people who live and work on his street. He meets a woman, Ilse, who happens to come into his shop, and instantly falls in love with her. That's all pretty good so far, though the requirement to suspend all sense of reality begins with wondering how on earth Frank can employ staff in his shop when apparently he makes next to no money!
But Ilse has a secret, and Frank is wounded by abandonment issues. So, they go back and forth, things happen, lots of time goes by.
Things I disliked: So many moments where you have to enlist your willing suspension of disbelief. Just too many for this type of book, which could have been successful while being more grounded in the obstacles people really face in their romantic lives. It ends up being almost more like a fairy tale of some kind.
Other dislikes: Frank is definitely no catch. The novel fails to successfully state why Ilse would love him so much, outside of "love at first sight", which honestly doesn't seem strong enough to carry her through all the obstacles of the novel. He's mostly kind and has this special talent about music, but damn is he a fixer-upper. I found Ilse's "secret" annoying and manipulative. As in, that's it?! That's your big secret?! Come on!!
And maybe its biggest issue for me is the undercurrent of sadness that runs through this novel. Maybe it should be marketed differently. I was expecting romance, joy and music, with of course some obstacles thrown in or it wouldn't be a story. What I got - a sad fairy tale romance. What's here? Childhood trauma. Broken dreams. Poverty. Gentrification. Loneliness. Homelessness. Depression. A little romance and friendship.
All, apparently, resolved in the last three pages!!
I'm making it sound pretty dire - because I think I'm more annoyed by its imperfections on reflection - but there were some things I enjoyed about it, and it didn't demand too much of me, which is a good thing right now.
I was introduced to Rachel Joyce through Miss Benson Beetle. I devoured the story, and enjoyed it so much I wanted to explore more of her work.
I found myself extremely disappointed with this story.
If this book were a spice, it would be flour.
The characters had interesting and at times relatable quirks but no real substance.
On the positive side the level of music knowledge and the research involved to find the inspirations and layered meanings of each song was incredibly well done.
I found myself extremely disappointed with this story.
If this book were a spice, it would be flour.
The characters had interesting and at times relatable quirks but no real substance.
On the positive side the level of music knowledge and the research involved to find the inspirations and layered meanings of each song was incredibly well done.
A decent little read, but one that I thought went off the rails a little in the final quarter. You'll enjoy this much more if you are a keen music fan (as I am).
A quirky little novel set in late 1980s Britain, where Frank (owner of a record shop) prides himself on finding the perfect vinyl for each of his customers, healing them in ways even they didn't know they were in need of. Filled with equally eccentric shopkeepers and one woman who dons the best sounding green coat I can imagine, this story was nice little journey and reminded me of my own playlist of songs that have impacted my life.
A glorious romp worthy of the Hallelujah Chorus. A delightful ensemble of characters, a lot of heart and just enough intrigue to keep you wondering how it's all going to pan out.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes