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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I got the ick from this book.
Before I get to the nitty gritty, I will say there's some beautiful prose speaking of longing for that one woman. Yet I don't know how, but apart of those, the rest of the first-person narration had manage to sound completely deprived of emotions. There were also parts of the storyline that was ambiguous, such as why Termen was accused of treason. To those familiar with his life, this would have been fine, but as someone who knew very little, I was quite confused and it took a lot away from the experience.
In addition, I think you are allowed certain liberties with historical fiction such that it's not a complete biography nor stray too much to be a mere inspiration, but you have to be able to justify why you added certain fictional elements. In this case, I don't see the need to add learning kung-fu as a trait of Termen's, when that aspect nor the students or the teacher served much towards the plot, and it reeked of tokenism and stereotyping. The final nail on the coffin was when you realize Termen was chasing after Clare who was fifteen years younger. They met when she was seventeen and he has been chasing after her since (when he's still married may I add), and continued to do so even after being rejected, and also when she's married to someone else and him on his second marriage. It's not romantic. It's predatory and stalker behavior, and to see such context being romanticized gave me a severe case of ick.
I did learn a lot about the scientist behind a vast array of inventions, but given how the author admitted the story contained a lot of fictionalized elements, I had to consult other sources to fact check, which rendered that benefit rather null.
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Before I get to the nitty gritty, I will say there's some beautiful prose speaking of longing for that one woman. Yet I don't know how, but apart of those, the rest of the first-person narration had manage to sound completely deprived of emotions. There were also parts of the storyline that was ambiguous, such as why Termen was accused of treason. To those familiar with his life, this would have been fine, but as someone who knew very little, I was quite confused and it took a lot away from the experience.
In addition, I think you are allowed certain liberties with historical fiction such that it's not a complete biography nor stray too much to be a mere inspiration, but you have to be able to justify why you added certain fictional elements. In this case, I don't see the need to add learning kung-fu as a trait of Termen's, when that aspect nor the students or the teacher served much towards the plot, and it reeked of tokenism and stereotyping. The final nail on the coffin was when you realize Termen was chasing after Clare who was fifteen years younger. They met when she was seventeen and he has been chasing after her since (when he's still married may I add), and continued to do so even after being rejected, and also when she's married to someone else and him on his second marriage. It's not romantic. It's predatory and stalker behavior, and to see such context being romanticized gave me a severe case of ick.
I did learn a lot about the scientist behind a vast array of inventions, but given how the author admitted the story contained a lot of fictionalized elements, I had to consult other sources to fact check, which rendered that benefit rather null.
I picked this book for its cover. My mom got this from goodreads giveaway and I immediately fell in love with its elegant and simple cover. As for the book, it was good. Dont read it if you want a strict biography on Leon Theremin but choose it for its beautiful words. There was almost a poetical quality to the book. It was a very romanticized version of the life of the inventor but then again I was never big into biographies. So setting aside facts, I really loved this book as an imagining of the scientists life. Would definitely recommend reading this book.
This story was really nothing like I was expecting it to be. I thought there would be more about the theremin and the love story but it really focuses mostly on Lev Termen, the inventor, and his life in the United States. If even part of this story is accurate, he was a very remarkable man.
I am personally fascinated by the history of the communists and the aspects of Lev's life that were still involved with them, even while in New York was very interesting.
While this was not what I expected it was still as good as I was hoping for.
I am personally fascinated by the history of the communists and the aspects of Lev's life that were still involved with them, even while in New York was very interesting.
While this was not what I expected it was still as good as I was hoping for.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
characters: Lev Termin, Clara Heisinger, Pash, Katia, Lavinia, Beria
So good! Music, spies, love, war. I loved the construction of the book -- how it wasn't linear, but not in a mechanical "I am going to write a non-linear book" kind of way. It was more organic, as one might remember things which trigger other memories from a different time.
The structure also makes possible being caught by surprise by certain things ... a "oh, you didn't know that? I thought I'd told you that .. " kind of thing.
The main character was incredibly self-centred and at times he was incredibly dislikable, but ultimately, just human. I am in awe of how Sean Michaels managed to maintain that balance. His character was revealed masterfully just by his own actions and we are left to make our own judgements of him.
If there was one thing I would mention, it was his use of conversation. It seemed very modern and casual, which I didn't think matched with the people or time. But maybe the author didn't want that disconnect that 1930-40 language would create?
So good! Music, spies, love, war. I loved the construction of the book -- how it wasn't linear, but not in a mechanical "I am going to write a non-linear book" kind of way. It was more organic, as one might remember things which trigger other memories from a different time.
The structure also makes possible being caught by surprise by certain things ... a "oh, you didn't know that? I thought I'd told you that .. " kind of thing.
The main character was incredibly self-centred and at times he was incredibly dislikable, but ultimately, just human. I am in awe of how Sean Michaels managed to maintain that balance. His character was revealed masterfully just by his own actions and we are left to make our own judgements of him.
If there was one thing I would mention, it was his use of conversation. It seemed very modern and casual, which I didn't think matched with the people or time. But maybe the author didn't want that disconnect that 1930-40 language would create?
Book Review: Us Conductors
frydii Uncategorized July 7, 2018 2 Minutes
Title: Us Conductors
Author: Sean Michaels
Published: 2014
Rating: 2.9/5
Theoretically I am the target audience of this book, a somewhat fictionalized biography of Lev Termen, creator of the theremin, and his relationship with Clara Rockmore, a theremin virtuoso. My music and electronics background aside, I was familiar with both names before picking up this novel, and a tearjerking romance is supposedly suited for my femininity. Before I dive further, let me lay out the scene: a brilliant Soviet Scientist recounts his life story from precocious child to celebrity to ruin as though he was talking to the protegeé that got away. His biography is taken in stream-of consciousness snapshots assembled in arbitrary order to fit the development of his obsession.
With the stylized circuitry on the cover, I anticipated a story of a troubled genius and sometime spy who helps his student overcome the loss of her previous livelihood with romantic tension thrown in for good measure. Instead Michaels writes solely from inside Termen’s head as a conversation to Rockmore, who is absent during the majority of the story. Even when she does appear, it is only as a ghost, seen through rosey shades alá 500 Days of Summer. Nearly every single woman who appears in this story is a one-dimensional object, and often only there as fodder to Termen’s excesses. In his time of excess, Termen wines and dines with America’s Golden Age Elites, and it reads like self-stroking of ego hidden by a thin veil of false modesty. When he fell, I was ready, and this is where the novel became rewarding. He tried to forget his luxuries, and he focused on his own development. His story and relationships became nuanced, and there was no blind loyalty. It became the story I wanted to read. Admittedly, I did come in biased and balked at the nonchalant misogyny, but I feel like Clara deserved better in a story that sought to include her.
Overall, this is a uniquely written narrative of two incredible people. I see the care taken in the words chosen, and the events remembered. Michaels’ embellishments even help mold deeper characters. That is why I am at a loss at the disservice done to the female portion of the story. Maybe next time.
https://podpunk.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/book-review-us-conductors/
frydii Uncategorized July 7, 2018 2 Minutes
Title: Us Conductors
Author: Sean Michaels
Published: 2014
Rating: 2.9/5
Theoretically I am the target audience of this book, a somewhat fictionalized biography of Lev Termen, creator of the theremin, and his relationship with Clara Rockmore, a theremin virtuoso. My music and electronics background aside, I was familiar with both names before picking up this novel, and a tearjerking romance is supposedly suited for my femininity. Before I dive further, let me lay out the scene: a brilliant Soviet Scientist recounts his life story from precocious child to celebrity to ruin as though he was talking to the protegeé that got away. His biography is taken in stream-of consciousness snapshots assembled in arbitrary order to fit the development of his obsession.
With the stylized circuitry on the cover, I anticipated a story of a troubled genius and sometime spy who helps his student overcome the loss of her previous livelihood with romantic tension thrown in for good measure. Instead Michaels writes solely from inside Termen’s head as a conversation to Rockmore, who is absent during the majority of the story. Even when she does appear, it is only as a ghost, seen through rosey shades alá 500 Days of Summer. Nearly every single woman who appears in this story is a one-dimensional object, and often only there as fodder to Termen’s excesses. In his time of excess, Termen wines and dines with America’s Golden Age Elites, and it reads like self-stroking of ego hidden by a thin veil of false modesty. When he fell, I was ready, and this is where the novel became rewarding. He tried to forget his luxuries, and he focused on his own development. His story and relationships became nuanced, and there was no blind loyalty. It became the story I wanted to read. Admittedly, I did come in biased and balked at the nonchalant misogyny, but I feel like Clara deserved better in a story that sought to include her.
Overall, this is a uniquely written narrative of two incredible people. I see the care taken in the words chosen, and the events remembered. Michaels’ embellishments even help mold deeper characters. That is why I am at a loss at the disservice done to the female portion of the story. Maybe next time.
https://podpunk.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/book-review-us-conductors/
I liked how it had the feel of a novel in translated despite being written in English.
A lot of excellent books are spoiled by stupid endings but not this one.
A lot of excellent books are spoiled by stupid endings but not this one.
I struggled to return to this book time and time again, which is what took me so long to finish it. I am also struggling with understanding why it won the Giller Prize. The narrative style was sloppy and awkward, the story was only engaging in parts, and the book seemed to suffer from a loss of direction and purpose. Disappointing, overall.
