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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Absolutely loved this. Quirky lovable but damaged characters, and a love affair with vinyl records. The transformative power of the right music at the right moment.
This is a sweet and gentle book, just what I would expect from the author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye. The Record Shop is in a shabby section of 1980s London, and its owner is determined to hold on to vinyl and not get with the CD times. Frank also has a gift for listening to people and knowing just what song they need to hear, and despite his fear of love or connection, Frank manages to gather a community of people who love him.
The story uses a plot device that’s common in romances that I find irritating (a conversation at a key moment could clear up all misunderstanding and finish the story there, but that moment is missed). But in this book I think it is necessary to the larger story the author is telling. And this really is a book about relationships (and music), not a romance anyway. If you like gentle and slow stories of delightful and quirky characters, you will like this.
The story uses a plot device that’s common in romances that I find irritating (a conversation at a key moment could clear up all misunderstanding and finish the story there, but that moment is missed). But in this book I think it is necessary to the larger story the author is telling. And this really is a book about relationships (and music), not a romance anyway. If you like gentle and slow stories of delightful and quirky characters, you will like this.
Fantastic book! A must read for anyone who loves music and understands the necessary balance of sorrow and beauty that make up our lives.
I was swept up in this beautiful, heartwarming story from start to finish. A celebration of friendship, community and the power of love in all its forms.
Rachel Joyce sets her story in those bleak days when the UK economy downturn hit those already struggling northern towns and cities reeling from the shutdown of factories and businesses that generations of people toiled. Unity Street once busy with shops is as depressed as the bomb site that remains from WW2. In this place stand a handful of folks desperately hanging on to their livelihoods and their passions, an unexpected woman lands (or faints) and everything changes.
I cannot recommend The Music Shop more. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2023. Will be looking forward to reading more from this writer.
Rachel Joyce sets her story in those bleak days when the UK economy downturn hit those already struggling northern towns and cities reeling from the shutdown of factories and businesses that generations of people toiled. Unity Street once busy with shops is as depressed as the bomb site that remains from WW2. In this place stand a handful of folks desperately hanging on to their livelihoods and their passions, an unexpected woman lands (or faints) and everything changes.
I cannot recommend The Music Shop more. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2023. Will be looking forward to reading more from this writer.
Your next favorite limited run 20 min. British comedy is a story about a man named Carey Nelson who saves people with music. Excuse me, sorry, his name is Frank.
I was confused by the character choices until I realized: this is a one season British comedy. I started to see the the shop as a TV stage/set. Cut to so-n-so standing in the doorway, bewildered. Then you hear the laugh track. This greatly increased my enjoyment. Think Black Books, but less dark?
An endearing read which elicits more smiles than outright chuckles. At least from me.
I was confused by the character choices until I realized: this is a one season British comedy. I started to see the the shop as a TV stage/set. Cut to so-n-so standing in the doorway, bewildered. Then you hear the laugh track. This greatly increased my enjoyment. Think Black Books, but less dark?
An endearing read which elicits more smiles than outright chuckles. At least from me.
Started this one as an audiobook, but wasn't quite into the narrator so I took a break and picked it up again in print. If we could give half stars, this would be a 3.5 for me. I enjoyed it very much in the middle, and again at the very end. I plan on investigating the songs mentioned here, and it was a great borrow from the library for me. I think that books about books and the arts are particularly challenging to nail down the appropriate vibe because they're such personal and subjective topics, but this did a good job.
Sometimes it takes a special person to discover the right type of music that will fire up your soul. Frank is that man. He owns a small record shop in the UK, but be warned he only sells vinyl records, absolutely no CDs. This is a lovely book, full of quirky characters and an unusual romance. Like a good Nora Ephron movie, this is the kind of book that will make you smile and bring a tear to your eye.