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jcgrenn_reads's review against another edition
A well written meditation on music, life, love, and loss. While I wish the change the characters experience throughout the novel would last, I’m fearful that these adrenaline-ridden passionate folks don’t really get very far on their journey. If they had, this book would have been excellent instead of just good. However! This book isn’t about that, though. It’s about taking steps in the face of tragedy. It’s about holding hope, but not tying it down to anything. It’s about grieving, even if in immature ways, and letting burdens go. 3.5 stars.
vandelay's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
annamayz's review against another edition
5.0
“I want to say there’s a point to all this. I want to say that there’s a reason this piano exists in the world. This specific piano. That there’s something important about it, to the people who made it, to the people who played it and lost it and found it and lost it again, thinking it was gone forever. This Blüthner made music out of nothing, it thawed frozen imaginations, and then it burned down and showed up again with its old scratches and a new owner. This piano has been playing in my mind all my life, and nobody knows that.”
bibliobethica's review against another edition
5.0
A tale of fate, love, loss, and a piano. Following the life of a piano through two owners opens the reader to how a precious object can be deeply loved and how art can affect one's heart. The storytelling is rich and and beautiful. The ending, though heartbreaking, is the perfect closure.
achekal's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise that weighs heavily on readers' stereotypes of Russian literature characters. As the story went on the heroine became more "dumb girl annoying" but she does redeem herself.
kellysbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
I’m sure that this will be my favorite book of the year, and it’s only February! Cander’s storytelling is sublime. Her ability to write about many subjects - here, classical music, piano craftsmanship, Death Valley, and auto mechanics- imbues this marvelous novel with an authenticity that makes the characters and settings shine. Order his book now and set aside time in your schedule to read it. You will be compelled to follow Katya and Clara on their intertwining journeys until the very last page.
annegard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0