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thomasdj's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarahlabu's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
julia_may's review
3.0
This is more of a 3.5 stars. A story about nostalgia and what ifs. The story starts with a letter delivered 30+ years too late, a window into a potentially different life for the long-disbanded... Band. Music band. They could've been famous, maybe. But the letter from the music studio got lost and we get a look into what has happened to the former band members since, and how they react to the "we could have been" news brought by the recovered letter. I found their stories quite interesting to follow, especially because they became such different people that it was clear that they'd never be able to get on as well as they did back then.
Reading this book brought to mind (several times) Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search For Meaning. We all have problems, regrets, what ifs, stories without closure in our past - but it is how we frame them in our minds, the narrative that we create about them, the meaning we attribute to those events... These things shape how we feel about them. And this novel (novella?) illustrates this concept quite well. It ends with another letter - no spoilers - but it sort of takes us full circle and I really liked that symmetry.
So why not 4 or more stars? I just don't see myself re-reading it ever again. Nostalgia is fun for a few afternoons but I wouldn't want to spend more time there.
Reading this book brought to mind (several times) Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search For Meaning. We all have problems, regrets, what ifs, stories without closure in our past - but it is how we frame them in our minds, the narrative that we create about them, the meaning we attribute to those events... These things shape how we feel about them. And this novel (novella?) illustrates this concept quite well. It ends with another letter - no spoilers - but it sort of takes us full circle and I really liked that symmetry.
So why not 4 or more stars? I just don't see myself re-reading it ever again. Nostalgia is fun for a few afternoons but I wouldn't want to spend more time there.
shelfquest's review
3.0
After reading The Red Notebook and The President's Hat I was so, so excited to find out that Antoine Laurain had another book coming out. French Rhapsody is about a letter inviting a band to come in for a meeting with a record later... arriving 30 years after it was sent. We are given insight to the lives of the members of the band, along with some of their spouses or significant others. I think the bones of the story are good - it still has that magical outline (in a non-supernatural way) that I've come to expect from Laurain's books, but I was lost several times while reading some of the meat of the book. There are some political undertones that seem to nod to the current situation going on with the upcoming election in the U.S. (I don't know if this is intentional or coincidence) and the characters go on these rants that just made my eyes glaze over. I would wake up a page or two from where I last remembered reading and when I went back to reread what I had missed, and I had in fact missed nothing.
I can't say I would recommend reading this book, and I won't be adding a physical copy to my bookshelf. I do still adamantly recommend his other two books, don't let this one deter you from them!
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I can't say I would recommend reading this book, and I won't be adding a physical copy to my bookshelf. I do still adamantly recommend his other two books, don't let this one deter you from them!
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jackiefranklee's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
shicaro's review against another edition
3.0
Vor 33 Jahren schickten Alain und die New-Wave-Band Hologrammes ihr Demo-Tape an eine französische Plattenfirma. Die Antwort, eine begeisterte Zusage für einen Plattenvertrag, erhält der Gitarrist Alain, der heute als Arzt tätig ist, drei Jahrzehnte später. Verblüfft fragt er sich, was überhaupt aus den anderen Bandmitgliedern geworden ist und begibt sich auf die Suche.
So ungefähr lautet der Klappentext und erwartet habe ich eine fröhliche Wiedervereinigung der Hologrammes mit französischem Flair. Bekommen habe ich etwas ganz anderes. In Antoine Laurains neustem Roman geht es viel mehr um die Schicksale und Geschichten der Bandmitglieder im Kontext des aktuellen Zeitgeschehens, nicht um ein erneutes Aufleben der Band oder der Musikleidenschaft. Mir hat diese Gesellschaftskritik insgesamt zwar gut gefallen, dank des Klappentextes fiel es mir jedoch nicht unbedingt leicht, mich sofort komplett auf diese Kritik und ihren Hintergrund einzulassen. Vielen in der gemeinsamen Leserunde zu diesem Buch ging es ähnlich und das ist auch der schwerwiegendste Grund für meine eher mittelmäßige Bewertung von 3 Sternen (3,5 Sterne, wenn Lovelybooks das zuließe).
Mit Protagonist Alain bin ich auch nicht richtig warm geworden und bis zum Schluss blieb er für mich etwas blass. Allerdings habe ich andere Bandmitglieder richtig lieb gewonnen, besonders der Selfmade-Millionär und Informatiker Jean-Bernard hat mich überzeugt. Nicht richtig rund erschien mir, dass den Musikern unterschiedlich viel Zeit gewidmet wurde. Während der eine gefühlt die Hälfte des Buches einnimmt, wird ein anderer in wenigen Zeilen abgehandelt.
Wie oben bereits erwähnt, sind die Musiker für Laurain nur Mittel zum Zweck. Er greift aktuelle politische Themen auf und kritisiert, wie vor allem das Internet Rechtspopulismus eine Bühne gibt. Auch der technische Fortschritt und die Folgen für die Menschen spielt eine große Rolle, ebenso wie die klassischen Probleme der Kommunikation, die vor allem in Liebesbeziehungen existieren. Sobald ich mich darauf eingestellt und von meinen eigentlichen Erwartungen gelöst hatte, haben mir die gesammelten Anspielungen richtig gut gefallen.
Fazit
Der neuste Roman von Antoine Laurain verzaubert wieder einmal dadurch, dass die Charaktere nicht zu ernst genommen werden und die Sprache klar und ohne viele Schnörkel auskommt. Der Klappentext ist leider sehr irreführend, denn anstatt einer lockeren oder gar romantischen Wiedervereinigung einer Band taucht der/die LeserIn immer weiter in eine brandaktuelle Gesellschaftskritik ab, die mir durchaus gut gefallen hat. Für mich gab es jedoch ein paar Ecken und Kanten im Aufbau des Buches und in den einzelnen Schicksalen der Personen zu viel, sodass ich insgesamt gute 3 Sterne vergebe.
(September 2017)
So ungefähr lautet der Klappentext und erwartet habe ich eine fröhliche Wiedervereinigung der Hologrammes mit französischem Flair. Bekommen habe ich etwas ganz anderes. In Antoine Laurains neustem Roman geht es viel mehr um die Schicksale und Geschichten der Bandmitglieder im Kontext des aktuellen Zeitgeschehens, nicht um ein erneutes Aufleben der Band oder der Musikleidenschaft. Mir hat diese Gesellschaftskritik insgesamt zwar gut gefallen, dank des Klappentextes fiel es mir jedoch nicht unbedingt leicht, mich sofort komplett auf diese Kritik und ihren Hintergrund einzulassen. Vielen in der gemeinsamen Leserunde zu diesem Buch ging es ähnlich und das ist auch der schwerwiegendste Grund für meine eher mittelmäßige Bewertung von 3 Sternen (3,5 Sterne, wenn Lovelybooks das zuließe).
Mit Protagonist Alain bin ich auch nicht richtig warm geworden und bis zum Schluss blieb er für mich etwas blass. Allerdings habe ich andere Bandmitglieder richtig lieb gewonnen, besonders der Selfmade-Millionär und Informatiker Jean-Bernard hat mich überzeugt. Nicht richtig rund erschien mir, dass den Musikern unterschiedlich viel Zeit gewidmet wurde. Während der eine gefühlt die Hälfte des Buches einnimmt, wird ein anderer in wenigen Zeilen abgehandelt.
Wie oben bereits erwähnt, sind die Musiker für Laurain nur Mittel zum Zweck. Er greift aktuelle politische Themen auf und kritisiert, wie vor allem das Internet Rechtspopulismus eine Bühne gibt. Auch der technische Fortschritt und die Folgen für die Menschen spielt eine große Rolle, ebenso wie die klassischen Probleme der Kommunikation, die vor allem in Liebesbeziehungen existieren. Sobald ich mich darauf eingestellt und von meinen eigentlichen Erwartungen gelöst hatte, haben mir die gesammelten Anspielungen richtig gut gefallen.
Fazit
Der neuste Roman von Antoine Laurain verzaubert wieder einmal dadurch, dass die Charaktere nicht zu ernst genommen werden und die Sprache klar und ohne viele Schnörkel auskommt. Der Klappentext ist leider sehr irreführend, denn anstatt einer lockeren oder gar romantischen Wiedervereinigung einer Band taucht der/die LeserIn immer weiter in eine brandaktuelle Gesellschaftskritik ab, die mir durchaus gut gefallen hat. Für mich gab es jedoch ein paar Ecken und Kanten im Aufbau des Buches und in den einzelnen Schicksalen der Personen zu viel, sodass ich insgesamt gute 3 Sterne vergebe.
(September 2017)
thoughtsfromapage's review
5.0
4.5 stars
Antoine Laurain continues to craft creative, timely stories that will delight his audience while also making his readers think about what is happening in the world around them. While The President’s Hat remains my favorite of his books, French Rhapsody was a fantastic read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Paris physician Alain Massoulier receives what would have been a life changing letter in the mail 33 years after it was sent to him. With a number of other individuals that we slowly get to know, Alain had been in a band called The Holograms in the 1980’s. After receiving little encouragement from the music industry, the group had broken up and gone their separate ways. The delayed letter offered the group a recording contract. This letter sets in motion a chain of events that alters the lives of several of the individuals originally associated with the Holograms. Laurain explores the idea that one event or happenstance can cause a ripple that impacts the lives of many individuals. The plot was not predictable, and several events occurred that I most definitely did not see coming. I always love when an author can surprise me with a plot twist, and there were several in French Rhapsody that really moved the story along. The book was wonderful from start to finish.
Laurain makes some very relevant statements about issues facing a number of countries today such as the refugee crisis and the impact on Europe and the United States. As these countries attempt to integrate refugees into their societies, there has been an increase in extreme xenophobic right wing groups advocating hatred and intolerance. His French Trump-like character is symbolic of individuals trying to gain power in a number of these countries and the length these individuals will go to in order to try and succeed. On a lighter note, Laurain pokes fun at the contemporary art scene and the attitudes of some of these contemporary artists. A particularly hilarious scene results from this storyline – I can’t say more without spoiling the event, but it was fantastic.
While I was intrigued by almost all of the characters, JBM was my favorite character by far. Every country could use a JBM, and I certainly wish the United States had someone like that right now.
I highly recommend this novel and his previous two books also. Laurain has a lot to say, and it is worth listening to him. Thanks to NetGalley and Gallic Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Antoine Laurain continues to craft creative, timely stories that will delight his audience while also making his readers think about what is happening in the world around them. While The President’s Hat remains my favorite of his books, French Rhapsody was a fantastic read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Paris physician Alain Massoulier receives what would have been a life changing letter in the mail 33 years after it was sent to him. With a number of other individuals that we slowly get to know, Alain had been in a band called The Holograms in the 1980’s. After receiving little encouragement from the music industry, the group had broken up and gone their separate ways. The delayed letter offered the group a recording contract. This letter sets in motion a chain of events that alters the lives of several of the individuals originally associated with the Holograms. Laurain explores the idea that one event or happenstance can cause a ripple that impacts the lives of many individuals. The plot was not predictable, and several events occurred that I most definitely did not see coming. I always love when an author can surprise me with a plot twist, and there were several in French Rhapsody that really moved the story along. The book was wonderful from start to finish.
Laurain makes some very relevant statements about issues facing a number of countries today such as the refugee crisis and the impact on Europe and the United States. As these countries attempt to integrate refugees into their societies, there has been an increase in extreme xenophobic right wing groups advocating hatred and intolerance. His French Trump-like character is symbolic of individuals trying to gain power in a number of these countries and the length these individuals will go to in order to try and succeed. On a lighter note, Laurain pokes fun at the contemporary art scene and the attitudes of some of these contemporary artists. A particularly hilarious scene results from this storyline – I can’t say more without spoiling the event, but it was fantastic.
While I was intrigued by almost all of the characters, JBM was my favorite character by far. Every country could use a JBM, and I certainly wish the United States had someone like that right now.
I highly recommend this novel and his previous two books also. Laurain has a lot to say, and it is worth listening to him. Thanks to NetGalley and Gallic Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adequateanja's review against another edition
4.0
Kitschig? Oh ja! Hab ich es trotzdem gern gelesen? Aber sowas von! Sehr französisch und im besten Sinne ein Feel good-Buch. Eine leichte Lektüre für einen sonnigen Frühlingsnachmittag.
ljbentley27's review
4.0
The best way to describe Antoine Laurain’s latest novel – French Rhapsody – is that it is a brilliant “pay off” story. It is clever and quirky and was a delight to read.
The story opens with Alain Massoulier receiving a letter that would have changed the course of his life had he received it on time. Unfortunately, he received it 33 years too late. This opens up a period of searching in Alain’s life to reconnect with the people of his youth. This comes with strange and wonderful consequences.
What I love about foreign literature is that the stories are undeniably original. French Rhapsody is the most original story I have read this year. There are twists and turns and it is laced with “oh my gosh!” moments. I couldn’t recommend this book more. Read it. Be amazed and pass it on to someone else to share in your bookish joy.
French Rhapsody by Antoine Laurain is available from 11th October 2016.
For more information regarding Antoine Laurain please visit www.antoinelaurain.com.
For more information regarding Gallic Books (@gallicbooks) please visit www.belgraviabook.com/gb.
The story opens with Alain Massoulier receiving a letter that would have changed the course of his life had he received it on time. Unfortunately, he received it 33 years too late. This opens up a period of searching in Alain’s life to reconnect with the people of his youth. This comes with strange and wonderful consequences.
What I love about foreign literature is that the stories are undeniably original. French Rhapsody is the most original story I have read this year. There are twists and turns and it is laced with “oh my gosh!” moments. I couldn’t recommend this book more. Read it. Be amazed and pass it on to someone else to share in your bookish joy.
French Rhapsody by Antoine Laurain is available from 11th October 2016.
For more information regarding Antoine Laurain please visit www.antoinelaurain.com.
For more information regarding Gallic Books (@gallicbooks) please visit www.belgraviabook.com/gb.