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A review by sneharatakonda
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Michael Holme cannot think of a world without classical music, is part of a successful quartet as a violinist and is seeing someone. However, his break up with Julia 10 years ago continues to dog him, along with the memories of the time they spent together in Vienna. In the present day, he runs into Julia once again in London and discovers that she is married and has a small child. The two of them become connected once again, and this is threatened when Julia reveals her life-changing secret to him.
Michael and Julia have had the kind of love that people sing ballads for, with all its insecurities and moments, with the beautiful and the tender thoughts. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and it shows that Seth is a poet first and foremost.
What ruins it for me is TONS of classical music references in the entire book. The technical language of playing a cello or a violin or a viola is not something I am in anyway familiar with, and that feeling of confusion lasted throughout the book. I also did not like the characterization of Michael since I have never really liked broody, selfish characters. Also, the secret reveal in itself was built up as this earth shattering thing and it turned out to be a damp squid in my eyes. Not for me, but maybe more for classical music aficionados
Michael and Julia have had the kind of love that people sing ballads for, with all its insecurities and moments, with the beautiful and the tender thoughts. The writing is lyrical and beautiful, and it shows that Seth is a poet first and foremost.
What ruins it for me is TONS of classical music references in the entire book. The technical language of playing a cello or a violin or a viola is not something I am in anyway familiar with, and that feeling of confusion lasted throughout the book. I also did not like the characterization of Michael since I have never really liked broody, selfish characters. Also, the secret reveal in itself was built up as this earth shattering thing and it turned out to be a damp squid in my eyes. Not for me, but maybe more for classical music aficionados