A review by awesomepucca
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

2.0

The Lucy Variations was a very meditative and contemplative book. Zarr devoted most of the pages to Lucy’s internal struggle between her desire to play piano again and her familial duty. In focusing on that struggle, Zarr significantly developed Lucy’s character but had little time to create additional well-rounded characters, like Lucy’s family and friends. I expected more to happen in the novel but action was limited due to Lucy’s introspective conflict and the reliance on flashbacks to detail key events. The dynamics between characters were limited and forced; Zarr could have developed a more complex relationship between Lucy and her brother’s piano teacher, Will, but the relationship resolved itself unsatisfactorily at the end. However, it was a good book overall. The themes in the novel of coming-of-age, music, and being true to yourself are universal and very relatable, which makes it a meaningful read.