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liskay 's review for:
The Violin Conspiracy
by Brendan Slocumb
My family will tell you that when it comes to music, I pretty much have a tin ear, unable to distinguish Mozart from Bach from Beethoven nor one string instrument from another. But Mr. Slocumb had me searching You Tube for violinists playing some of the pieces he mentions in his book. I don’t know what I’m looking/listening for exactly, but I am intrigued and now I at least have a starting point.
As for the story about the young violinist, Ray McMillian, Slocumb sucked me in at the beginning. He starts out with the theft of the violin and the effect on Ray (the violin’s owner), Ray’s family, and Ray’s associates. Then, in Part 2, Slocumb takes us back six years for a look into Ray’s backstory. Parts 3 and 4 take a look into Ray’s formal training and his discovery of his violin’s value. The book continues on with Parts 5, 6, and 7 as Ray continues searching for his missing violin while becoming an accomplished and widely recognized violinist and entering a prestigious competition. Throughout the book is a peek at systemic racism pervading not only American society, but other parts of the world as well.
There were times when I felt this story became a bit sluggish and wished it would just move on already. I also felt that Mr. Slocumb overused some phrasing and descriptions. I thought “pulling strings” was a rather clever play on words the first time, but by the third time, I was over it. Likewise, I was soon looking up synonyms for “sluice.” Surely the author could have found something different after the second usage? Similarly, I’ve lost count of how many times Ray “couldn’t breathe/catch his breath” for one reason or another. I also had some difficulty understanding what the art investigator’s role actually was and how much she actually contributed to the story.
In contrast to my aforementioned criticisms, however, is the way Slocumb describes some of the various musical pieces as Ray is playing them, the story of the music, I guess. These descriptions gave me something to listen (and look) for as I did my You Tube searches. I also enjoyed Ray’s growth and development from a somewhat awkward teenager to a more world-wise, recognized, master of the violin. Chapters 32 and 33 as well as the Author’s Note are profound and the Epilogue is endearing. And again, Slocumb’s circling around to the racism infecting our society in both overt and subtle ways is an essential theme of the story. All in all, I would call “The Violin Conspiracy” a must read.
As for the story about the young violinist, Ray McMillian, Slocumb sucked me in at the beginning. He starts out with the theft of the violin and the effect on Ray (the violin’s owner), Ray’s family, and Ray’s associates. Then, in Part 2, Slocumb takes us back six years for a look into Ray’s backstory. Parts 3 and 4 take a look into Ray’s formal training and his discovery of his violin’s value. The book continues on with Parts 5, 6, and 7 as Ray continues searching for his missing violin while becoming an accomplished and widely recognized violinist and entering a prestigious competition. Throughout the book is a peek at systemic racism pervading not only American society, but other parts of the world as well.
There were times when I felt this story became a bit sluggish and wished it would just move on already. I also felt that Mr. Slocumb overused some phrasing and descriptions. I thought “pulling strings” was a rather clever play on words the first time, but by the third time, I was over it. Likewise, I was soon looking up synonyms for “sluice.” Surely the author could have found something different after the second usage? Similarly, I’ve lost count of how many times Ray “couldn’t breathe/catch his breath” for one reason or another. I also had some difficulty understanding what the art investigator’s role actually was and how much she actually contributed to the story.
In contrast to my aforementioned criticisms, however, is the way Slocumb describes some of the various musical pieces as Ray is playing them, the story of the music, I guess. These descriptions gave me something to listen (and look) for as I did my You Tube searches. I also enjoyed Ray’s growth and development from a somewhat awkward teenager to a more world-wise, recognized, master of the violin. Chapters 32 and 33 as well as the Author’s Note are profound and the Epilogue is endearing. And again, Slocumb’s circling around to the racism infecting our society in both overt and subtle ways is an essential theme of the story. All in all, I would call “The Violin Conspiracy” a must read.