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lyss_bear's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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
3.75
kalinowskiyvette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
erickibler4's review against another edition
4.0
A well-done story in the mold of “Rocky”, where an underdog defies the odds and prejudices and succeeds. It’s also a detective story and a meditation on racial prejudice. A real page turner, and I fully expect Hollywood to take notice and turn this novel into a blockbuster film.
A few things:
1) Slocumb says in the afterword that a lot of white people don’t believe the stories of prejudice that he has taken from his own life and incorporated as incidents in this book. I was probably one of those people at one time. Wait a minute…isn’t this the 21st century? People don’t act like that anymore, right? Well, yes they do. I’ve heard enough stories from people I respect to believe them. Racism is not a thing of the past. It’s almost as bad as ever. Don’t get all defensive, fellow white people. Just listen, and try to be better.
2) I’d like a refresher course on classical music. I loved the music appreciation course I took in college. I’d like to take an even more extensive course. I’m familiar with more classical pieces than the average person, but reading this book makes me realize I don’t know nearly enough.
3) SPOILER WARNING
As a lawyer, I don’t think any court I know would have allowed the star witness in a criminal case to testify by video. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to confront (face to face) and have their attorney cross-examine the witnesses against them. Maybe a court has allowed it, but it would seem to me to be pretty good grounds for appeal if it happened.
Anyway, Brendan Slocumb is an author I’d like to read more from, and someone I look forward to meeting at the upcoming Booktopia event in Vermont. I just hope I don’t babble too much about comic books, as I’ve read he is also a fan.
A few things:
1) Slocumb says in the afterword that a lot of white people don’t believe the stories of prejudice that he has taken from his own life and incorporated as incidents in this book. I was probably one of those people at one time. Wait a minute…isn’t this the 21st century? People don’t act like that anymore, right? Well, yes they do. I’ve heard enough stories from people I respect to believe them. Racism is not a thing of the past. It’s almost as bad as ever. Don’t get all defensive, fellow white people. Just listen, and try to be better.
2) I’d like a refresher course on classical music. I loved the music appreciation course I took in college. I’d like to take an even more extensive course. I’m familiar with more classical pieces than the average person, but reading this book makes me realize I don’t know nearly enough.
3) SPOILER WARNING
As a lawyer, I don’t think any court I know would have allowed the star witness in a criminal case to testify by video. The Sixth Amendment gives defendants the right to confront (face to face) and have their attorney cross-examine the witnesses against them. Maybe a court has allowed it, but it would seem to me to be pretty good grounds for appeal if it happened.
Anyway, Brendan Slocumb is an author I’d like to read more from, and someone I look forward to meeting at the upcoming Booktopia event in Vermont. I just hope I don’t babble too much about comic books, as I’ve read he is also a fan.
jessies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cool_breeze's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I wasn’t expecting it to be so predictable. The plot needed something else.
mgehrens's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
4.0
We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.
The Violin Conspiracy was an amazing and unexpectedly delightful story! I had heard great things about it and decided to jump on the bandwagon since I had a copy of the audiobook. I'm so glad I took the chance.
Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. But when his grandmother gives him his greatgrandfather's old fiddle, Ray has no idea what's in store for him. He endures racism and classism as a young man and into adulthood, but he is also lifted up by a college professor who sees the potential in him and his violin. Then an unexpected discovery throws Ray directly into the spotlight of classical music and the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music.
I know very little about classical music or musicians, but Brendan Slocumb brought Ray and his world to life through nuanced writing balanced with interesting and thoughtful insight to the world of music. When Ray's most cherished possession is stolen mere days before the competition, his world is upended but Ray stays the course. I loved the mystery (though it wasn't too hard to figure out what happened) and Ray's anxiety in the face of such scrutiny is palpable. He's a character you can't help but love.
Brendan Slocumb’s author’s notes at the end were icing on the cake. As a Black musician himself, Slocumb recounts his personal experience with some of the same barriers and racial profiling that Ray encountered in the story. Rounding this up to 4.5 stars but not quite 5 due to a bit of a slow start and a somewhat predictable ending.
Thank you to Penguin Random House audio for the complimentary audiobook! It was exceptionally well done.
The Violin Conspiracy was an amazing and unexpectedly delightful story! I had heard great things about it and decided to jump on the bandwagon since I had a copy of the audiobook. I'm so glad I took the chance.
Ray McMillian loves playing the violin more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. But when his grandmother gives him his greatgrandfather's old fiddle, Ray has no idea what's in store for him. He endures racism and classism as a young man and into adulthood, but he is also lifted up by a college professor who sees the potential in him and his violin. Then an unexpected discovery throws Ray directly into the spotlight of classical music and the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition—the Olympics of classical music.
I know very little about classical music or musicians, but Brendan Slocumb brought Ray and his world to life through nuanced writing balanced with interesting and thoughtful insight to the world of music. When Ray's most cherished possession is stolen mere days before the competition, his world is upended but Ray stays the course. I loved the mystery (though it wasn't too hard to figure out what happened) and Ray's anxiety in the face of such scrutiny is palpable. He's a character you can't help but love.
Brendan Slocumb’s author’s notes at the end were icing on the cake. As a Black musician himself, Slocumb recounts his personal experience with some of the same barriers and racial profiling that Ray encountered in the story. Rounding this up to 4.5 stars but not quite 5 due to a bit of a slow start and a somewhat predictable ending.
Thank you to Penguin Random House audio for the complimentary audiobook! It was exceptionally well done.
smikuska's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
skuborssy's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t say enough good about this book. As a music educator myself, it was so refreshing to read a book that was so accurate in terms of the musician life. The story line is insanely well put together, and the mystery of it all kept me on the edge of my seat. I appreciated all of the stories from his life that were so brutally displaying the racism in this country and specifically in classical music. I think every musician should read this book, absolutely breathtaking and easy to read. I cant wait for his second book.
taras2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75