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This definitely had some overwrought passages in parts, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and was very invested in the characters. Great audiobook.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4 Stars-- This book, that spans years, moved at the perfect pace. Not too slow and not too fast. I was vested in all four characters fast. Each of them was likeable and unlikable in their own ways. But their likeableness outweighed their negative qualities. And though I liked them, I did not love them, which I think led to me giving four stars instead of five.
That being said, the story line really is not deep, but the lives of the quartet are. Jana, Brit, Henry, and Daniel are in serious relationships, but their number 1 is their quartet. Gabel takes us on a journey about how for musicians in this line of work, every decision and most life choices are made based on what's good for the group-- everyone else is just along for the ride. The sections of text that talk specifics about music went a little over my head because I have no musical talent. I did not feel bogged down, but feeling the emotion of the group as they played.
Normally, I do not do book comparisons, but for those who read A Little Life this is being compared to that. I have not read A Little Life and I am only giving the comparison because I have not heard too much about this book out in the world. It goes on sale May 15!
4 Stars-- This book, that spans years, moved at the perfect pace. Not too slow and not too fast. I was vested in all four characters fast. Each of them was likeable and unlikable in their own ways. But their likeableness outweighed their negative qualities. And though I liked them, I did not love them, which I think led to me giving four stars instead of five.
That being said, the story line really is not deep, but the lives of the quartet are. Jana, Brit, Henry, and Daniel are in serious relationships, but their number 1 is their quartet. Gabel takes us on a journey about how for musicians in this line of work, every decision and most life choices are made based on what's good for the group-- everyone else is just along for the ride. The sections of text that talk specifics about music went a little over my head because I have no musical talent. I did not feel bogged down, but feeling the emotion of the group as they played.
Normally, I do not do book comparisons, but for those who read A Little Life this is being compared to that. I have not read A Little Life and I am only giving the comparison because I have not heard too much about this book out in the world. It goes on sale May 15!
Audiobook. An introspective and musical novel. At different points, I identified with all the characters, especially Jana and Daniel.
The author has a Spotify playlist for this book!! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/13CNn7Wm5ms7ILhCtkmzcg
The author has a Spotify playlist for this book!! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/13CNn7Wm5ms7ILhCtkmzcg
3.5?
I did enjoy this, and I think it’s a perfect summer read. It is episodic and follows a close-knit group of friends/coworkers (an ensemble defies traditional classification really and that is part of what this novel explores) as they navigate their professional and personal lives.
The voice in this is fantastic. There are some really gorgeous sentences and passages in here. I felt myself getting to know these characters to a depth I was unaware of until we were at that point.
I did wish it had delved a little deeper at times but not in any particular way I can articulate. Additionally, I think form is really interesting here. It is definitely played with, but with such an emphasis on ensemble and music I was expecting something maybe a little more experimental?
Anyway, take this book with you on your summer trip or as you laze by the pool or whatever your summer reading entails. The episodic nature makes it easy to bop in and out of if you get distracted but it’s also compelling enough to bust right through.
I did enjoy this, and I think it’s a perfect summer read. It is episodic and follows a close-knit group of friends/coworkers (an ensemble defies traditional classification really and that is part of what this novel explores) as they navigate their professional and personal lives.
The voice in this is fantastic. There are some really gorgeous sentences and passages in here. I felt myself getting to know these characters to a depth I was unaware of until we were at that point.
I did wish it had delved a little deeper at times but not in any particular way I can articulate. Additionally, I think form is really interesting here. It is definitely played with, but with such an emphasis on ensemble and music I was expecting something maybe a little more experimental?
Anyway, take this book with you on your summer trip or as you laze by the pool or whatever your summer reading entails. The episodic nature makes it easy to bop in and out of if you get distracted but it’s also compelling enough to bust right through.
You've all read the plot from the jacket blurb. A deceptively simple plot - it's about a quartet of musicians - you follow their personal lives and musical career and how they intertwine. And the writing. My goodness, the writing. Relationships in books are often described in such cliches - it's hard to find new ways to describe emotions and how people relate. This author does it convincingly and with great insight. I found myself rereading passages to internalize her words. In the end this book is all about relationships (and music) and I couldn't put it down.
at a wedding: “Love is inexact, Henry said. It is not a science. It is barely a noun. It means one thing to one person, and one thing to another. It means one thing to one person at one point and then something else at another point. It doesn’t make sense. We are gathered here today to not make sense. We are gathered here today o listen to the ineffable. I’m supposed to be explaining it, but I can’t explain it. I love you, it’s a mystery. Because it’s a mystery, we have to take care of it. Feed it. It can go missing, but we can’t tie it up. We can only tie it to someone else. Other people. Then the world is like this: full of the geometry of my rope tied to you, and to you, and yours tied to him, and to her, and hers to someone else. I love you, it’s a mystery.”
Highly recommended.
at a wedding: “Love is inexact, Henry said. It is not a science. It is barely a noun. It means one thing to one person, and one thing to another. It means one thing to one person at one point and then something else at another point. It doesn’t make sense. We are gathered here today to not make sense. We are gathered here today o listen to the ineffable. I’m supposed to be explaining it, but I can’t explain it. I love you, it’s a mystery. Because it’s a mystery, we have to take care of it. Feed it. It can go missing, but we can’t tie it up. We can only tie it to someone else. Other people. Then the world is like this: full of the geometry of my rope tied to you, and to you, and yours tied to him, and to her, and hers to someone else. I love you, it’s a mystery.”
Highly recommended.
If you're a musician and play with others, you are part of an intimate relationship. THE ENSEMBLE is the story of a string quartet together for years that examines the connections each person has with the other. Aja Gabel's debut is lovely and I highly recommend listening to the pieces the quartet performs during each section of this beautiful novel.
3.5 stars
kind of like. no plot tbh? and v boring at some points but the writing was also v good and it did def get much better near the end
kind of like. no plot tbh? and v boring at some points but the writing was also v good and it did def get much better near the end