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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Ray McMillian is determined to pursue a career as a violinist, despite all the obstacles the classical music world puts in his way as a Black man. After discovering his great-grandfather’s fiddle is actually an authentic Stradivarius, Ray’s dreams suddenly seem reachable. But then the violin is stolen, and Ray is determined to get it back.
WOW. This book is absolutely remarkable. The descriptions of music and the violin are gorgeous, the racism Ray experiences is harrowing, and the mystery is perfectly twisty and turny. I drove everyone in my life nuts talking about this book while I was reading it. What a complete stunner. Don't sleep on it!
WOW. This book is absolutely remarkable. The descriptions of music and the violin are gorgeous, the racism Ray experiences is harrowing, and the mystery is perfectly twisty and turny. I drove everyone in my life nuts talking about this book while I was reading it. What a complete stunner. Don't sleep on it!
I wonder what it is like to be a talented musician who writes on the side as a fun hobby and is a better writer than many who dedicate their time to it full time? I picked this book up spur of the moment because I saw it on a readers choice list and I am so glad I did. Despite not being interested at all in classical music, Slocumb had me deeply invested in Ray's journey. Suddenly I was ready to fight his mama and his high school band teacher for ignoring his passion and talent, I cared about his ability to build a crescendo or make it appear his bow never left the strings. I was rooting for him to kick some random Serbian's ass in the most prestigious violin competition in the world. This is all to say nothing of the mystery which is at the heart of the book: How did Ray's family really acquire his multi million dollar Stradivarius violin, and who stole it?
Race and racism is a central theme to this novel, many incidents are based on the author's real life. It is impossible to understand Ray without understanding the racism he faced. It's impossible to know the history of the violin without knowing the racial history of the U.S. With that said, I would point out that this is a book that feels like it is written for a white audience, he spells things out for those who don't know, or understand, or care about the Black experience. Slocumb fits a lifetime of racist experiences into Ray's story to show how hard it is to be Black in a White institution. He wants to prove to the reader that racism isn't over. This is an argument that wouldn't really have to be made to a nonwhite reader.
Race and racism is a central theme to this novel, many incidents are based on the author's real life. It is impossible to understand Ray without understanding the racism he faced. It's impossible to know the history of the violin without knowing the racial history of the U.S. With that said, I would point out that this is a book that feels like it is written for a white audience, he spells things out for those who don't know, or understand, or care about the Black experience. Slocumb fits a lifetime of racist experiences into Ray's story to show how hard it is to be Black in a White institution. He wants to prove to the reader that racism isn't over. This is an argument that wouldn't really have to be made to a nonwhite reader.
I really didn’t know what to expect coming into this. I played piano for years as a kid, but classical music feels stuffy and unapproachable to me. This book brought a really fresh, relatable take and whoo that ending!
"Every time the conductor raised his baton, new joy blossomed in his chest. Each note felt special, a gift."
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is an explosive, electric and emotional thriller set in the world of classical music.
Rayquan “Ray” McMillian’s meteoric rise to fame as a classical violinist has been nothing short of unconventional and complex. As if navigating the industry without a formal music education wasn’t difficult enough, he has to do so as a Black man - one of very few in the industry. He encounters racism and doubt at every turn but never loses sight of the joy performing music gives him. When the true value of his family’s heirloom violin is revealed, everyone shows their true colours, wanting a piece. After the violin goes missing on the eve of the most important competition of his life, Ray sets out to figure out the truth (no matter how ugly).
I truly LOVED this book, for many reasons.
Slocumb hooks you from the first page, with prose that is gorgeous and colourful. The way he writes musical scenes is a fully sensory experience, which will resonate with all music lovers out there. Just like a perfect piece of music, he blends multiple genres seamlessly and effectively. You’ll start off enthralled by the mystery and intrigue, then find yourself excited to witness Ray’s next performance, and amazed how it all works together.
I greatly appreciated the structure of the book, split into sections (similar to a composition) each shedding more light into Ray’s experiences. Ray’s experience is complex and the way Slocumb incorporates all of the intersecting elements feels effortless and true.
Simply put, this book made me excited: to read, to continue the story, and for what Slocumb writes next.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is an explosive, electric and emotional thriller set in the world of classical music.
Rayquan “Ray” McMillian’s meteoric rise to fame as a classical violinist has been nothing short of unconventional and complex. As if navigating the industry without a formal music education wasn’t difficult enough, he has to do so as a Black man - one of very few in the industry. He encounters racism and doubt at every turn but never loses sight of the joy performing music gives him. When the true value of his family’s heirloom violin is revealed, everyone shows their true colours, wanting a piece. After the violin goes missing on the eve of the most important competition of his life, Ray sets out to figure out the truth (no matter how ugly).
I truly LOVED this book, for many reasons.
Slocumb hooks you from the first page, with prose that is gorgeous and colourful. The way he writes musical scenes is a fully sensory experience, which will resonate with all music lovers out there. Just like a perfect piece of music, he blends multiple genres seamlessly and effectively. You’ll start off enthralled by the mystery and intrigue, then find yourself excited to witness Ray’s next performance, and amazed how it all works together.
I greatly appreciated the structure of the book, split into sections (similar to a composition) each shedding more light into Ray’s experiences. Ray’s experience is complex and the way Slocumb incorporates all of the intersecting elements feels effortless and true.
Simply put, this book made me excited: to read, to continue the story, and for what Slocumb writes next.
Excellent audio experience with a great narrator and violin music during the interludes. I liked that this was fiction that read like non-fiction and gave me a lot to think about in terms of racial privilege, music, slavery and the human experience. Plus, there is a mystery to solve! I'd love to discuss this novel in book club.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery
3 1/2 stars
Take the "mystery" out of it, the supposed conspiracy and who's behind it, and this would have been a stronger book. The mystery was poorly plotted and the weakest aspect of the book. I thought Slocumb's development of Ray, our protagonist, was very strong, and he was a character I thoroughly enjoyed following. Regarding the injustice/racism/prejudice Ray experiences, Slocumb does not hold back from realistically revealing what TOO many young Black man must deal with on a daily basis. Those portions of the book were challenging to get through, but necessary if we're going to accept the truth about racism in the USA. Actually, racism around the world, as Ray encounters false narratives and prejudice in Europe as well.
I do recommend The Violin Conspiracy in spite of the weak mystery, as Slocumb is a gifted storyteller.
Take the "mystery" out of it, the supposed conspiracy and who's behind it, and this would have been a stronger book. The mystery was poorly plotted and the weakest aspect of the book. I thought Slocumb's development of Ray, our protagonist, was very strong, and he was a character I thoroughly enjoyed following. Regarding the injustice/racism/prejudice Ray experiences, Slocumb does not hold back from realistically revealing what TOO many young Black man must deal with on a daily basis. Those portions of the book were challenging to get through, but necessary if we're going to accept the truth about racism in the USA. Actually, racism around the world, as Ray encounters false narratives and prejudice in Europe as well.
I do recommend The Violin Conspiracy in spite of the weak mystery, as Slocumb is a gifted storyteller.
I suspected who stole the violin from the time of the theft.
A young black man, extremely talented and driven, deals with our racist society and his mostly unsupportive family to become one the greatest violinists. His grandmother leaves him his grandfather‘s fiddle which turns out to be much more than its initial looks would suggest. The plot thickens when the valuable instrument goes missing right before the most important competition.
This mystery certainly sheds light on another important societal ill, however the story line wasn’t always convincing, and the writing didn’t evoke as much of an emotional response as it could have.
This mystery certainly sheds light on another important societal ill, however the story line wasn’t always convincing, and the writing didn’t evoke as much of an emotional response as it could have.
A quick read and page turner! Enjoyed the mystery, the story and challenged by the author’s true life experience with racism that is woven throughout this book.