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joeymc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
noteworthy_fiction's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jenn756's review against another edition
4.0
HiI was reconciled to this book by the end. The first three quarters I found deeply irritating. It is beautifully written but the protagonists are childish and self indulgent, the romance was the romance of teenagers and (admittedly this was not the fault of the novel) I don't like classical music much.
But nonetheless it was the first fiction book I've read in a long time. I had to for a book club, but I was glad I was forced, for it reminded me how lovely it is to get lost in a novel and it was ultimately an uplifting book. So for that I'm grateful.
But nonetheless it was the first fiction book I've read in a long time. I had to for a book club, but I was glad I was forced, for it reminded me how lovely it is to get lost in a novel and it was ultimately an uplifting book. So for that I'm grateful.
loveryoushouldvecomeovermp3's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bunnie225's review against another edition
5.0
A lot of technical details about music, a lot of generalisations about love. But I think it should be read for the sheer effort that he must have put into it. It is a beautiful testimony to both love and the joy of music.
mistymoon24's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Beautifully written and produced, with the music really enhancing the text. That being said I found the book quite slow and it made me sleepy
kavyajanani's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5
I think I wouldn't be able to review this book properly. I loved the flowery prose so much that I could read stories like these forever. However, I also skipped a lot of pages, especially after I crossed 350 pages. The plot dragged unnecessarily. I loved the troubled characterizations, though. Michael and Julia are flawed people that you'd come across in everyday life. At times, I felt Julia irritating. She looked like someone who was intensely confused. Michael and his relationship with his violin were one of the most beautiful aspects of the novel.
What made the novel work for me was the music. The entire story was a piece of music in itself. So many references to classical musicians like Mozart, Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Chopin, and Schubert. Being a music enthusiast, keyboard player, and singer, I could relate to these musical references.
The ending was abrupt. After all those pages, it would make you wonder 'What was the author's point of writing this story? What did he try to convey?' I felt that the story didn't get a proper closure. Perhaps, that's how literary fiction is.
I think I wouldn't be able to review this book properly. I loved the flowery prose so much that I could read stories like these forever. However, I also skipped a lot of pages, especially after I crossed 350 pages. The plot dragged unnecessarily. I loved the troubled characterizations, though. Michael and Julia are flawed people that you'd come across in everyday life. At times, I felt Julia irritating. She looked like someone who was intensely confused. Michael and his relationship with his violin were one of the most beautiful aspects of the novel.
What made the novel work for me was the music. The entire story was a piece of music in itself. So many references to classical musicians like Mozart, Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Chopin, and Schubert. Being a music enthusiast, keyboard player, and singer, I could relate to these musical references.
The ending was abrupt. After all those pages, it would make you wonder 'What was the author's point of writing this story? What did he try to convey?' I felt that the story didn't get a proper closure. Perhaps, that's how literary fiction is.
yongen22's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
michael sucks ass