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This was a well done character-driven novel. The relationships between the titular ensemble of characters are what mattered; the plot was the evolution of these relationships set against the backdrop of an interesting enough setting.
The parallels between the characters roles in the quartet and their personalities and the use of musical movements and terms to interpret life gave the book a unique edge. As someone not too well versed in music theory, I was still able to appreciate those references and understand how at times they deepened the analysis of a moment in the book.
The characters initially came off fairly stock, caricaturistic, but mellowed over the course of the story. I also liked how we got to see some of the earlier moments from multiple perspectives, it helped me feel more connected to all 4 of the primary characters, after the first few chapters I felt vested in their happiness. And while some of them took unexpected routes to get there, where each of the characters stood by the end of the story felt satisfying and logical, some of it bordering on predictable. But the book still managed to have moments that pleasantly surprised me, particularly in the way certain relationships were handled. For example, i initially expected Kimiko to abort the baby, and i certainly didn’t expect them to be married with 2 kids by the end. In fact I half expected Jana ans Henry to be each other’s endgame with the way everything was set up initially, though i appreciates much more the way the novel explored their close friendship, and the way the two of them (& eventually the whole quartet) came to need and identify with each other. And while I wanted Brit and Daniel to end up together, I didn’t expect it to come on the heels of Brit’s 10 year cohabitation with paul, though that was always going to end eventually. Jumping through time allowed the characters to evolve naturally without having to show every step of that process. And the book didn’t shirk from the imperfection of the process that is life. I appreciated that they showed the anger, the tension, the realizations when things were bad or people did things they shouldn’t do. The relationships, while not reminiscent of ones I personally can claim to have, felt both real and just idealistic enough to make the reader yearn for them, despite the negative bits.
It oddly gave me a sense of hope. While it may be idealistic it felt like proof that everything will be alright in the end. Not perfect but each of the characters achieved some sense of peace and balance. It’s not often that comes from quitting your job and giving up previously essential trappings of your “old life,” things that used to define you, but if it can happen there, there must be hope for the rest of us
The parallels between the characters roles in the quartet and their personalities and the use of musical movements and terms to interpret life gave the book a unique edge. As someone not too well versed in music theory, I was still able to appreciate those references and understand how at times they deepened the analysis of a moment in the book.
The characters initially came off fairly stock, caricaturistic, but mellowed over the course of the story. I also liked how we got to see some of the earlier moments from multiple perspectives, it helped me feel more connected to all 4 of the primary characters, after the first few chapters I felt vested in their happiness. And while some of them took unexpected routes to get there, where each of the characters stood by the end of the story felt satisfying and logical, some of it bordering on predictable. But the book still managed to have moments that pleasantly surprised me, particularly in the way certain relationships were handled. For example, i initially expected Kimiko to abort the baby, and i certainly didn’t expect them to be married with 2 kids by the end. In fact I half expected Jana ans Henry to be each other’s endgame with the way everything was set up initially, though i appreciates much more the way the novel explored their close friendship, and the way the two of them (& eventually the whole quartet) came to need and identify with each other. And while I wanted Brit and Daniel to end up together, I didn’t expect it to come on the heels of Brit’s 10 year cohabitation with paul, though that was always going to end eventually. Jumping through time allowed the characters to evolve naturally without having to show every step of that process. And the book didn’t shirk from the imperfection of the process that is life. I appreciated that they showed the anger, the tension, the realizations when things were bad or people did things they shouldn’t do. The relationships, while not reminiscent of ones I personally can claim to have, felt both real and just idealistic enough to make the reader yearn for them, despite the negative bits.
It oddly gave me a sense of hope. While it may be idealistic it felt like proof that everything will be alright in the end. Not perfect but each of the characters achieved some sense of peace and balance. It’s not often that comes from quitting your job and giving up previously essential trappings of your “old life,” things that used to define you, but if it can happen there, there must be hope for the rest of us
The Ensemble follows a string quartet as they navigate the cutthroat world of music. The four members each have their own unique stories filled with success and heartbreak. The story details the behind the scenes life of musicians and the toll it takes on their lives and bodies.
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I liked this book, didn’t love it but enjoyed it. I thought the beginning was great but as the characters got older I found myself feeling disconnected from them. I enjoyed the music parts and reading about how insanely difficult the life of a musician is. I would recommend to people who like contemporary fiction or want to learn more about the music world.
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I liked this book, didn’t love it but enjoyed it. I thought the beginning was great but as the characters got older I found myself feeling disconnected from them. I enjoyed the music parts and reading about how insanely difficult the life of a musician is. I would recommend to people who like contemporary fiction or want to learn more about the music world.
I loved this very much; I think it's my favorite novel of 2018, at least so far. Lovely, rich character development and really interesting world-building details about the careers of professional musicians. For me, at least, it fell right in that sweet spot between commercial and literary fiction.
An excellent pick for fans of Meg Wolitzer, Celeste Ng, Ann Patchett, etc.
An excellent pick for fans of Meg Wolitzer, Celeste Ng, Ann Patchett, etc.
Very much lit fic, but also, a lovely portrait of the characters. Over the course of the book I really warmed to them all, even the more prickly Daniel, and I thought that it was just a lovely old time.
One of my favorite books of the year. So good/powerful. Devoured it!
I really enjoyed getting a look into an intense profession that I am not often privy to beyond experiencing performances. I’ve always wondered about the personalities of people who pursue orchestral careers, knowing how tough music can be, how repetitive it might be to play and practice, but also how music is connected to internal mood and what impact that has on having to perform. This book had a good balance with character reveals, a tempo (of course, purposeful), and grit.
This book was beautiful. I didn't even realize that I might have held my breath several times during the reading of this book and it wasn't until the end after I closed the book, that I started feeling quite emotional about it. Not just the book but looking back at my own 12 years of violin playing and all of the memories (muscle memory and emotional memory) this brought crashing back. I listened to the songs listed before each Part for the duration of that Part and it was an amazing experience.
This reminded me of The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, but with main characters bound together by the music they make together rather than a summer camp experience.
Four musicians form an ensemble (two violins, a cello, and a viola) while in graduate school and then spend the next two decades navigating their lives, relationships, and careers.
Four musicians form an ensemble (two violins, a cello, and a viola) while in graduate school and then spend the next two decades navigating their lives, relationships, and careers.
I didn’t really connect with this novel in a way that would leave me enamored, and found the (many) passages of introspection almost insufferable, but think it’s a great novel for group discussion. Would recommend as a book club pick.
Such a memorable reading experience. The musical suggestions combined with beautiful prose and a character driven story created a slow, self-reflective reading atmosphere that was a pleasure to dive into each time I picked it up. I loved the concept and the skillful way the author wove her characters’ lives and perspectives together. Poignant, lyrical, thoughtful.