A review by alisonjfields
Orfeo by Richard Powers

3.0

80% great. 20% completely preposterous. The idea that that art (in general) and music (in general) can be a dangerous thing is a fine premise without some adding some b-movie bioterrorism plot. Richard Powers is one of the smartest writers out there (and a fine stylist to boot), but he needs to lay off the Homeland Security angle.

Also, it's okay for a 70 year old avant garde composer to not be "cool" in the strictest sense of the world. He doesn't have to like Radiohead. He doesn't have to attract hot 24 year old music students.