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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This was really engaging. Racism parts were hard to read because they were realistic.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audio version has a great note from the author at the end....don't miss it!
I was REALLY excited about this one. A book about a black violinist by a black violinist!! I've never related more to a story (the only difference is that Ray was actually good and liked to practice ha). Having played the violin for 16+ years, I really connected to the musicality of the book and I completely understood how lonely it feels often being the sole black violinist, and (if lucky) one of the few black kids, in orchestra.
That's why it makes me sad to rate this book just 3 stars. The premise had lots of potential but the writing and character development were just not there for me. None of the characters felt fleshed out and the dialogue was so choppy. The mystery aspect lasted maybe 40 pages. The rest of the book was backstory, so this was really more of a coming of age story. It also strangely read like a memoir, and after reading the acknowledgement section, it turns out the majority of the events in the story actually happened to the author (so, I do hope he comes out with a memoir in the future-- would totally read that). Overall though, it wasn't terrible and it's worth giving this book a try, see if you like it. I'll be on the lookout for his future novels.
That's why it makes me sad to rate this book just 3 stars. The premise had lots of potential but the writing and character development were just not there for me. None of the characters felt fleshed out and the dialogue was so choppy. The mystery aspect lasted maybe 40 pages. The rest of the book was backstory, so this was really more of a coming of age story. It also strangely read like a memoir, and after reading the acknowledgement section, it turns out the majority of the events in the story actually happened to the author (so, I do hope he comes out with a memoir in the future-- would totally read that). Overall though, it wasn't terrible and it's worth giving this book a try, see if you like it. I'll be on the lookout for his future novels.
Had me hooked but minus one star because I correctly guessed who it was early on and the ending was a bit of a drag once I confirmed my suspicions.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
The Violin Conspiracy makes me rethink some of the 5 star reviews I’ve given to other books because this one truly had it all. There was of course the storyline of who stole the violin, but this book had much more depth than just that. It tackled topics of systemic racism, especially in the painfully un-diverse world of classical music. The storytelling was fantastic and I got so hooked I read it in basically one sitting. Maybe I’m biased in being a classical string player myself, but I could not get enough of this book and I’m sad that I finished it so quickly.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, Police brutality
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“Alone, we are a solitary violin, a lonely flute, a trumpet singing in the dark. Together, we are a symphony.” Brendan Slocumb, The Violin Conspiracy.
Black violin prodigy Ray McMillian loves playing more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. Not his mother, who thinks he should get a real job, not the fact that he can’t afford a high-caliber violin, not the racism inherent in the classical music world. And when he makes the startling discovery that the violin he inherited from his great-grandfather, a freed slave, is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star rises. Then, on the eve of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, his prized instrument is stolen.
The Violin Conspiracy is a highly original debut; in fact, I can’t think of another book I’ve ever read about classical music. Part thriller, part coming-of-age, racial commentary, it is a fascinating look at professional classical music by an author who knows what he’s talking about. Brendan Slocum served as the concertmaster for the University Symphony orchestra and principal violist at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has been a public and private school K-12 music educator for over twenty-three years.
Although I enjoyed learning more about classical music, the violin in particular, Slocum got into too much detail about playing the instrument. His writing was solid, and he a did fine job managing a dual timeline, but he could use a bit more polishing, and a little more showing instead of telling. One aspect of Ray’s character was frustrating. At times he sounded like a kid from the “hood,” full of street-laced slang and cuss words, but then he would be unexpectedly articulate. His swearing and childish thoughts/comments were unnecessary and detracted from his intelligent character. I figured out the mystery long before it was revealed, it was a wonderful read by a talented author all the same. Recommended. 4 stars.
Black violin prodigy Ray McMillian loves playing more than anything, and nothing will stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician. Not his mother, who thinks he should get a real job, not the fact that he can’t afford a high-caliber violin, not the racism inherent in the classical music world. And when he makes the startling discovery that the violin he inherited from his great-grandfather, a freed slave, is actually a priceless Stradivarius, his star rises. Then, on the eve of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, his prized instrument is stolen.
The Violin Conspiracy is a highly original debut; in fact, I can’t think of another book I’ve ever read about classical music. Part thriller, part coming-of-age, racial commentary, it is a fascinating look at professional classical music by an author who knows what he’s talking about. Brendan Slocum served as the concertmaster for the University Symphony orchestra and principal violist at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has been a public and private school K-12 music educator for over twenty-three years.
Although I enjoyed learning more about classical music, the violin in particular, Slocum got into too much detail about playing the instrument. His writing was solid, and he a did fine job managing a dual timeline, but he could use a bit more polishing, and a little more showing instead of telling. One aspect of Ray’s character was frustrating. At times he sounded like a kid from the “hood,” full of street-laced slang and cuss words, but then he would be unexpectedly articulate. His swearing and childish thoughts/comments were unnecessary and detracted from his intelligent character. I figured out the mystery long before it was revealed, it was a wonderful read by a talented author all the same. Recommended. 4 stars.