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tome's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.75
It is truly rare that one finds a book that floors the reader. In spite of that, this review is being written lying on my apartment floor. Riveting from start to finish, what was meant to be a light hour of afternoon reading became the whole afternoon to finish the novel. Slocumb masterfully weaves the plot together, easily transitioning between past struggles, current anguish, and the ever looming worries of the Tchaikovsky competition. Even between the deeply emotional aspects of Ray's journey, details about the mystery are well interspersed throughout the novel, though the ending reveal still shocked me. This was truly an amazing read that I cannot recommend enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
impalalove's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Slavery
copiani's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer and Dementia
tunabased's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
rebeccarudisill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ray is the absolute heart of this book. His genuine love for music and his soul level goodness made me love him from page one. He approaches everything and everyone from a place of genuine kindness, and his love for his grandmother was truly touching. The story is fantastic and keeps you engaged until the end. I am so thankful for the opportunity to know Ray and to know the pieces of Brendan Slocumb himself that were woven into this sorry. Also, on behalf of Baton Rouge, I am truly sorry for the way our people treated you. It was wrong, and we will do better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, and Gaslighting
There are many moments when the main character encounters racism and racist people. All incidents - big and small - are horrible. ***But most vivid is a flashback scene that describes Ray’s great-great-grandfather’s experience as an enslaved person. IT IS VERY DETAILED AND VERY HORRIFYING. HSP’s and all others be warned. It is necessary for the plot, but it is hard***jpitts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Deportation
lisaarnsdorf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my goodness, I loved this book! In some ways, it's a simple story about a young Black man who pursues a career in classical music despite having no support. Slocumb is magical; I was lost in the experience of the music despite not being able to actually hear it! The unraveling of the mystery was a bit anti-climatic after such a big build-up. These characters are going to stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence
mjenae's review against another edition
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? No
4.75
Ooh, the crime element. I hadn't thought I'd missed it. I'm always surprised by how well it captures my attention. The pressure slowly rose with every page, and by the last fourth, I couldn't read fast enough. Muscles tensed, breath shallow. Gracious. And when he finally found the violin, I smiled and smiled.
Some other things I loved about the book:
The theme of music. The way Ray described playing, especially with the Strad, the way he connected with it and spilled out through it.
Ray's dry, sardonic humor. It made me giggle more than once.
The slice of history. Even if it nearly sickened me. It was brutal and honest and it added a different aspect to the story.
One thing that I didn't like so well:
Sometimes, Ray's voice came across as forceful and defiant. He knew how to be respectful when he wanted to be, but there was a little too much anger for me to be comfortable with. I think one of the underlying themes of this book is resistance, and while I realize that's what the author intended and I think other people could connect with it, it didn't work for me.
But oh, it was a fantastic ride to be on.
Some other things I loved about the book:
The theme of music. The way Ray described playing, especially with the Strad, the way he connected with it and spilled out through it.
Ray's dry, sardonic humor. It made me giggle more than once.
The slice of history. Even if it nearly sickened me. It was brutal and honest and it added a different aspect to the story.
One thing that I didn't like so well:
Sometimes, Ray's voice came across as forceful and defiant. He knew how to be respectful when he wanted to be, but there was a little too much anger for me to be comfortable with. I think one of the underlying themes of this book is resistance, and while I realize that's what the author intended and I think other people could connect with it, it didn't work for me.
But oh, it was a fantastic ride to be on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Police brutality
noladawnreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Police brutality