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This book was the worst of both worlds - nothing was happening plot-wise and it was probably intended as a character study, but I never did get a good handle on anyone. It read like a loosely related collection of vignettes. Not even short stories because a story implies it has some focus. I kept waiting for there to be some there there, but there...wasn't.
I also felt like the book itself was holding me at arm's length, not letting me in. A charitable interpretation would be that it was meant to reinforce the insularity of the quartet, to show that anyone not in their relationship (like significant others) can't break in. But I saw no actual evidence of that - they sometimes come together physically/sexually and we're told they play well together professionally, but the book doesn't show them as emotionally close at all. It's almost like a group of acquaintances who keep running into each other and saying "oh hey, remember that time in college? That was weird!"
I also felt like the book itself was holding me at arm's length, not letting me in. A charitable interpretation would be that it was meant to reinforce the insularity of the quartet, to show that anyone not in their relationship (like significant others) can't break in. But I saw no actual evidence of that - they sometimes come together physically/sexually and we're told they play well together professionally, but the book doesn't show them as emotionally close at all. It's almost like a group of acquaintances who keep running into each other and saying "oh hey, remember that time in college? That was weird!"
I didn't love it. The musical metaphor and references throughout are beautiful and authentic. The character development grated on me. A combination of too real and too contrived, all at the same time.
I love a good book about an artist making their art, and this was no exception. Pacing/narrator point of view could have been clearer, but I liked the beginning where it flitted between each characters perspective-it felt like listening to a quartet’s mini emphases during a piece. Cool way to do texture.
*Read for the prompt Divination - use an RNG to pick the book*
“I’m just saying, it’s okay to long for a different life. It doesn’t mean you actually want it.” (page 279)
This has been on my radar since its 2018 debut, but I wasn’t sure it was calling to me because of the musical set-up. This literary book is about the relationships between the members of a string quartet. Don’t let this steer you away. If you enjoy character studies and relationship sketches, this is a beautiful book. I loved the growth from each character over the twenty years they played together. Their aloneness, along with their togetherness, made for some beautiful insights.
This has been on my radar since its 2018 debut, but I wasn’t sure it was calling to me because of the musical set-up. This literary book is about the relationships between the members of a string quartet. Don’t let this steer you away. If you enjoy character studies and relationship sketches, this is a beautiful book. I loved the growth from each character over the twenty years they played together. Their aloneness, along with their togetherness, made for some beautiful insights.
This book tells the story of four wildly talented members of a string quartet who forgo independent careers to work as a group throughout their adult lives. It spans more than 20 years of their lives together and apart. Parts of this are really beautiful and lyrical, bit in the end I found it to be borderline too long and a bit over-written. As in, I felt like it was trying to wax eloquent on the meaning of life and relationships, and I loved the core message about how loving other people is a huge part of what makes us human, but at times it was just a bit too much.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I stopped reading about 20% in.
As a cellist who loved playing in string quartets, I enjoyed the detailed discussion of music in the book, but that was all I enjoyed. The characters weren't at all likeable or even very relatable. The book is mostly just descriptions of what the characters think as they navigate relationships and potential careers, and I found it tedious and uninteresting. Clearly this book is not for everyone.
As a cellist who loved playing in string quartets, I enjoyed the detailed discussion of music in the book, but that was all I enjoyed. The characters weren't at all likeable or even very relatable. The book is mostly just descriptions of what the characters think as they navigate relationships and potential careers, and I found it tedious and uninteresting. Clearly this book is not for everyone.
this book pleasantly surprised me. it was very reminiscent of meg wolitzer's 'the interestings', a book i really enjoyed reading last summer. i'd had this book on my shelf for over a year, and i'm glad i found the time to fly through it!
A beautiful story that follow four people in a quartet over thirty years, and wonderful on audiobook. It’s quiet and rolling but it’s this simple fluidity and small scope that makes the friendships and love described flourish. I love stories that demonstrate how friendships can be family and how we choose to keep those ties alive despite the hardships and mistakes along the way. If you like deep character development and rotating POVs, pick this up.
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