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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
The New Hanover County "Read Across The County" book was a good read. I was surprised by the ending!! Good job Brendan Slocumb
O carte buna. Mi-a placut intriga. Primul capitol e oarecum dezamagitor, insa urmatoarele compenseaza. Mi-a placut toata intoarcerea in timp, fapt ce explica pas cu pas finalul, motivele. E una dintre acele carti la care am vrut sa citesc direct finalul, insa actiunea e captivanta, asa ca am vrut sa aflu cum s-a gandit autorul sa faca totul sa evolueze. As vrea sa vad un film dupa aceasta carte. Am si cateva lucruri pe care nu le-am inteles, careva al caror rost nu il gasesc in economia naratiunii, cateva care parca nu se justifica.
Had seen good reviews of this debut novel and am now convinced of their value. This is a refreshing and sickening look at the highly competitive world of classical music performance and the experiences of minorities in it.
Refreshing because classical music is not embraced as much as it could be and should be. It really highlights the very hard work put in by dedicated musicians and their teachers. Many specific music pieces are mentioned (including my college textbook from the late 1970s!) so have Spotify/Pandora handy. There is glamour in this world also. Our main character jet sets all over the country and across the pond as he eventually performs at universities and the great concert halls.
Then there is the most unfortunate downside of racism in this musical world. Because music lessons and instruments are expensive, less than 2% of musicians are diverse. Poverty is a factor. The author is a black music teacher and performer. He incorporates in the novel some of his personal experiences with police and rich white men. From insensitive comments to outright abuse, he has seen a great deal.
Finally it is interesting that our main character's own family offers no support for his incredible talent, preferring that he take a fast food job out of high school just so he can start contributing to the bills. It is clear the black community cannot even relate to what this opportunity might mean. Only his grandmother believes in him. Fortunately, that can be all it takes.
As a musician, I wish all kids could experience creating music. Alas, there is apparently a long way to go. Just think of the possibilities!
Refreshing because classical music is not embraced as much as it could be and should be. It really highlights the very hard work put in by dedicated musicians and their teachers. Many specific music pieces are mentioned (including my college textbook from the late 1970s!) so have Spotify/Pandora handy. There is glamour in this world also. Our main character jet sets all over the country and across the pond as he eventually performs at universities and the great concert halls.
Then there is the most unfortunate downside of racism in this musical world. Because music lessons and instruments are expensive, less than 2% of musicians are diverse. Poverty is a factor. The author is a black music teacher and performer. He incorporates in the novel some of his personal experiences with police and rich white men. From insensitive comments to outright abuse, he has seen a great deal.
Finally it is interesting that our main character's own family offers no support for his incredible talent, preferring that he take a fast food job out of high school just so he can start contributing to the bills. It is clear the black community cannot even relate to what this opportunity might mean. Only his grandmother believes in him. Fortunately, that can be all it takes.
As a musician, I wish all kids could experience creating music. Alas, there is apparently a long way to go. Just think of the possibilities!
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow… just wow. This book was amazingly well written. I felt completely engulfed by it. While reading, I cried, laughed, and got very mad. It was a whirlwind! I loved that the author used different parts to tell different points in Ray’s life. I felt like the reader was experiencing life with him.
I loved the that the book immediately dropped you in the storyline. I felt like I was pushed into Ray’s world and forced to experience his dramatic emotions with him. I was so confused about what was happening and why I should care, until the author dropped us again into Ray’s childhood. The way the author told Ray’s life and rise to stardom was an emotional journey. By the end of this story, I was emotionally invested in Ray’s life.
This book felt very American. It included stories of Serbia, Italy, etc., but Ray’s story still felt very American to me. So many black Americans feel exactly what Ray felt throughout his life. Most black Americans will experience racism like Ray experienced on a daily basis. As a white woman, who played in an orchestra throughout most of grade school, I have realized the racism within the orchestra community. I have seen very few black students in my orchestra classes, and even fewer (if any) receive accolades or preferential seating. Now, I can see the obvious racism. It wasn’t that they played the worst, but their skin color varied from the rest of the class.
This book was amazing! The audiobook was also very well done. I would definitely recommend this book!
I loved the that the book immediately dropped you in the storyline. I felt like I was pushed into Ray’s world and forced to experience his dramatic emotions with him. I was so confused about what was happening and why I should care, until the author dropped us again into Ray’s childhood. The way the author told Ray’s life and rise to stardom was an emotional journey. By the end of this story, I was emotionally invested in Ray’s life.
This book felt very American. It included stories of Serbia, Italy, etc., but Ray’s story still felt very American to me. So many black Americans feel exactly what Ray felt throughout his life. Most black Americans will experience racism like Ray experienced on a daily basis. As a white woman, who played in an orchestra throughout most of grade school, I have realized the racism within the orchestra community. I have seen very few black students in my orchestra classes, and even fewer (if any) receive accolades or preferential seating. Now, I can see the obvious racism. It wasn’t that they played the worst, but their skin color varied from the rest of the class.
This book was amazing! The audiobook was also very well done. I would definitely recommend this book!
I loved the premise but the execution fell flat, as did the characters. I need more nuance in a novel!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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