Reviews

Orfeo by Richard Powers

dphillips's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars.A splendid read for music majors who enjoy a healthy dose of mystery & a bit of sci-fi. The writing is beautiful & poetic. At times it almost reads like a song. My only critique is that, at times, the song went on too long.

cami19's review

challenging slow-paced

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

2.0

zordrac's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No

3.75

sairz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

alisonjfields's review against another edition

3.0

80% great. 20% completely preposterous. The idea that that art (in general) and music (in general) can be a dangerous thing is a fine premise without some adding some b-movie bioterrorism plot. Richard Powers is one of the smartest writers out there (and a fine stylist to boot), but he needs to lay off the Homeland Security angle.

Also, it's okay for a 70 year old avant garde composer to not be "cool" in the strictest sense of the world. He doesn't have to like Radiohead. He doesn't have to attract hot 24 year old music students.

jadehe's review

5.0

What to say…this may be the greatest love story ever written. Detailing not only Els’ affection for his ex-wife, his daughter, and his best friend, this book allows us to witness an epic, intense, and excruciating love affair between Peter Els and the maddening enigma that is music. Never have I read something so powerful and so lifelike. The words on these pages are a song in and of themselves, “music for the end of time.”

Recommended for every lover of music and/or fine literature; “Come, my friend, it’s not too late to seek a newer world.”

Key takeaways: “Hear, and be afraid forever.”

krobart's review

4.0

See my review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2016/12/26/day-1016-orfeo/

rebcamuse's review against another edition

4.0

I had a hard time getting into this novel because it made me feel conspicuous as a musicologist. The first quarter of the book seemed to be trying too hard to establish its musical street cred, but I understand now…that may have been the point. The protagonist spends his life trying to establish his own credibility, most importantly with himself. There are many references to some of the biggest composers and pieces of the twentieth century, and Powers is very gifted in the artistic and nuanced way he writes about music. By the midpoint of the novel, Peter Els--the main character--seems to adopt a more Cagean-sense of music and Powers, too, seems more comfortable in his prose. He's a tough character, Els--you never really know how to connect to him (and he never really knows how to connect to anyone). He's an Orpheus running from the Underworld, but not to rescue Euridice. The undertow of music pulls at him constantly, and his life cycles through submitting to that force and fighting against it. Powers is masterful in his ability to recount narrative through multiple flashbacks which, at the end, help us understand that we are all fugitives of one sort or another.

vestigialthorns's review

challenging informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

sarahrussell's review

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5