Reviews

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

monica_requejo's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

3.0

dennasus's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

I enjoyed this one for the most part as a story of a young black man who overcomes many obstacles to succeed in the classical music world. I'm well aware that it's a privileged perspective to say that the blatant racism he faces (based on real life experience of the author) surprised and shocked me. And it broke my heart from time to time. I don't know a lot about classical music, but I tried to listen to the pieces that are mentioned in this novel while reading it and I enjoyed that as well. The end of the story left me a bit underwhelmed though, to find out who stole the violin and why. But all in all an entertaining and informative read for me. (20 May 2024)

[I've stopped rating books in May 2024]  

lacywrites's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative mysterious reflective tense fast-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

3.75

drkwnter13's review against another edition

5.0

This book shows that music is for everyone, but it has extremely important meaning to some. It also shows the struggles that musicians (and other professions) of different race and color in the world. And the obstacles they face to become successful in their field.

The story with the Violin was an added bonus in my opinion

turtletats's review against another edition

2.0

This shouldn't have been billed as a thriller.

The respectability politics were very dominant. The emphasis on always showing respect no matter how people treat you was really off. 

I was going to give this 3 stars finding the novel lacking in subtlety and the characters pretty 2D, but still readable enough. The ending really ruined it for me though and bumped it down to 2 stars. Using the racist criminal "justice" system to get his own back and call for the thief to get maximal jail time?? The police abolitionist in me was horrified. It's harmful and unrealistic to expect that more heavy handed policing would do anything but further entrench racist police violence and white supremacy, so given the main themes of the book, this ending was politically inconsistent and just awful.

catherinedemontreal's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

mallorieh's review against another edition

challenging mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Seeing this black man rise to the top from absolutely nothing was insane!! He was different from any other peer in his field, and he had to try twice as hard and practice twice as much to even be noticed. All while trying to become a famous violinist, he was belittled by his entire family and they only showed him support so they could receive money. This book made me feel a lot of things. The way he spoke about music, the way he felt the music and could allow the crowd to feel the emotions was beautiful. Music is such a universal language, and it was conveyed in this book. Although Ray did not win the competition that he has practiced for his entire life, he learned a lot about himself, his friends along the way. He made a name for himself by simply applying himself immensely to his violin. He has sparked an inspiration in me. I love Ray and the way he carries himself despite the hardships he has endured on his journey to being a successful black violinist. 

emileegarrett's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

blfitz's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

thriftybookworm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0