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georges_mom's review against another edition
4.0
A 90s-era classical music romantic lit fic I found via googling "novels about classical music." It's kind of sad that this very good book seems to have come out right before the internet/Amazon was taking off and is therefore (I think) out of print and not available as an ebook. I purchased a used copy.
In general, I really liked this novel, once the plot got going. It's very contemplative and not hurried at all. This type of pacing may not be for everyone...for example, the protagonist and his ex-lover, whose rekindled romance is the A-plot of the book, don't speak until over 50 pages in, if I'm recalling correctly.
My only real complaint (and the reason I didn't rate it as five stars) is the sheer volume of music shop talk. I think a good quarter of this not-short book is comprised of blow-by-blow rehearsal or performance scenes. Maybe it says something about me, but as a non-serious musician, I don't even like going to rehearsal that much, let alone reading about fictional characters' rehearsals. I can't imagine non-musicians would like those parts at all. I found myself easily distracted in the middle of the book and read several other things cover to cover as I was avoiding finishing this.
In the last 50-100 pages, the story became much more engrossing. Honestly, I felt more emotion in the subplot of the protagonist being potentially deprived of his loaned violin (that he'd been playing for decades) than the love story...which I'm not sure was the intent. But, overall, I generally liked this a lot.
In general, I really liked this novel, once the plot got going. It's very contemplative and not hurried at all. This type of pacing may not be for everyone...for example, the protagonist and his ex-lover, whose rekindled romance is the A-plot of the book, don't speak until over 50 pages in, if I'm recalling correctly.
My only real complaint (and the reason I didn't rate it as five stars) is the sheer volume of music shop talk. I think a good quarter of this not-short book is comprised of blow-by-blow rehearsal or performance scenes. Maybe it says something about me, but as a non-serious musician, I don't even like going to rehearsal that much, let alone reading about fictional characters' rehearsals. I can't imagine non-musicians would like those parts at all. I found myself easily distracted in the middle of the book and read several other things cover to cover as I was avoiding finishing this.
In the last 50-100 pages, the story became much more engrossing. Honestly, I felt more emotion in the subplot of the protagonist being potentially deprived of his loaned violin (that he'd been playing for decades) than the love story...which I'm not sure was the intent. But, overall, I generally liked this a lot.
jaime00's review against another edition
3.0
Conflicting book. On the one hand, this book's writing is poetic, captivating and addictive. The writer manages to portray his love for music in a way that incites a great sentiment in those who feel the same. I just love how it's written.
On the other hand, the plot was a bit weak. The characters' relation was questionable. The reader wasn't molded nor invited into it hence making it feel shallow and distant. Plus, the characters had no 'book charisma' which didn't help the case.
As a whole, the writing made me want to give it 5 stars but the characters/plot a 1.
On the other hand, the plot was a bit weak. The characters' relation was questionable. The reader wasn't molded nor invited into it hence making it feel shallow and distant. Plus, the characters had no 'book charisma' which didn't help the case.
As a whole, the writing made me want to give it 5 stars but the characters/plot a 1.
harshada's review against another edition
3.0
My first Seth novel and I really liked the poetic, fluid writing. Will definitely pick up his other books.
I would recommend this particular book only to European classical music fans as half of the book is technical jargons which flew over my head.
I also didn't feel anything for the couple.
I guess the only thing going for this book was the writing, for me.
I would recommend this particular book only to European classical music fans as half of the book is technical jargons which flew over my head.
I also didn't feel anything for the couple.
I guess the only thing going for this book was the writing, for me.
lisabelle63's review against another edition
4.0
While the writing was poetically beautiful, the main character’s obsessiveness made me want to slap him. With all of his emphasis on how much music meant to him and his connection to his instrument, he let himself be controlled by his creepy stalking of a past love. It was just too much. All I could think of in the last third of the book was “Michael, just get over yourself.” As a musician, I understood many of his struggles with self-deprecating thoughts, dealing with the residual influences of a harsh teacher, and struggling with performance anxiety. But in the end, music provides a respite from those things and other personal trials of life.
chrysalis11's review against another edition
5.0
Poetic. Magical. Heartbreaking. Seth is like a wizard with words. The detailing he puts into each scene is awe-inspiring. The characters so flawed, so real. This book will stay with you even after you've put it down. And you will want more. To read more. Or rather. Devour.
soavezefiretto's review against another edition
I didn't remember how excruciatingly insufferable the protaginist is. Yikes.
dr_anshgujral's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't understand the point of this book.
I thought Seth could do amazing things with the plot but it hardly moves forward throughout the book. It feels as though it's dragging on rather aimlessly.
The prose however was beautiful and the only thing standing between me DNF-ing the book.
I am still interested in reading Seth's other works but this one just didn't work for me.
I thought Seth could do amazing things with the plot but it hardly moves forward throughout the book. It feels as though it's dragging on rather aimlessly.
The prose however was beautiful and the only thing standing between me DNF-ing the book.
I am still interested in reading Seth's other works but this one just didn't work for me.
_katiaz_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sneharatakonda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Michael Holme cannot think of a world without classical music, is part of a successful quartet as a violinist and is seeing someone. However, his break up with Julia 10 years ago continues to dog him, along with the memories of the time they spent together in Vienna. In the present day, he runs into Julia once again in London and discovers that she is married and has a small child. The two of them become connected once again, and this is threatened when Julia reveals her life-changing secret to him.
Michael and Julia have had the kind of love that people sing ballads for, with all its insecurities and moments, with the beautiful and the tender thoughts. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and it shows that Seth is a poet first and foremost.
What ruins it for me is TONS of classical music references in the entire book. The technical language of playing a cello or a violin or a viola is not something I am in anyway familiar with, and that feeling of confusion lasted throughout the book. I also did not like the characterization of Michael since I have never really liked broody, selfish characters. Also, the secret reveal in itself was built up as this earth shattering thing and it turned out to be a damp squid in my eyes. Not for me, but maybe more for classical music aficionados
Michael and Julia have had the kind of love that people sing ballads for, with all its insecurities and moments, with the beautiful and the tender thoughts. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and it shows that Seth is a poet first and foremost.
What ruins it for me is TONS of classical music references in the entire book. The technical language of playing a cello or a violin or a viola is not something I am in anyway familiar with, and that feeling of confusion lasted throughout the book. I also did not like the characterization of Michael since I have never really liked broody, selfish characters. Also, the secret reveal in itself was built up as this earth shattering thing and it turned out to be a damp squid in my eyes. Not for me, but maybe more for classical music aficionados