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A review by theconstantreader
Piano Lessons: A Memoir by Anna Goldsworthy
4.0
This felt like an earnest and self-effacing account of teenage years spent striving. What Goldsworthy manages to achieve through ardent application of herself in spite of the temptations of cool, is pretty inspiring.
So many of the anecdotes were highly relatable and had me blushing as I recollected similar times in my life. Like when you test the waters of your own talent, only to have your feet placed gently back on the ground with some truth-telling about your limitations from the ones who love you most.
Despite being told that she would not be a concert pianist, Goldsworthy applied herself, not just in piano but all her studies, to prove that with hard work and focus, she could achieve it all. And she does, it’s a real treat to see the dividends pay off like they do for Goldsworthy. It’s a sweet reminder that life gets to be what you make it, that you get to be what you work for.
Since reading this book, it’s stuck with me and had me thinking: but what for? Did Goldsworthy make the right decisions for her? Were the accolades worth the lack of social connections? What matters in the end? Big questions, I know, but perhaps some commentary on these thoughts from Goldsworthy at the end and in retrospect, would have been interesting.
One thing to note is that the audio book is a totally cut down version of the printed book despite being listed as unabridged. I had got the audio to listen along while I read the physical copy and was really disappointed so beware! I’ve never had that happen before.
So many of the anecdotes were highly relatable and had me blushing as I recollected similar times in my life. Like when you test the waters of your own talent, only to have your feet placed gently back on the ground with some truth-telling about your limitations from the ones who love you most.
Despite being told that she would not be a concert pianist, Goldsworthy applied herself, not just in piano but all her studies, to prove that with hard work and focus, she could achieve it all. And she does, it’s a real treat to see the dividends pay off like they do for Goldsworthy. It’s a sweet reminder that life gets to be what you make it, that you get to be what you work for.
Since reading this book, it’s stuck with me and had me thinking: but what for? Did Goldsworthy make the right decisions for her? Were the accolades worth the lack of social connections? What matters in the end? Big questions, I know, but perhaps some commentary on these thoughts from Goldsworthy at the end and in retrospect, would have been interesting.
One thing to note is that the audio book is a totally cut down version of the printed book despite being listed as unabridged. I had got the audio to listen along while I read the physical copy and was really disappointed so beware! I’ve never had that happen before.