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blanchreads 's review for:
The Violin Conspiracy
by Brendan Slocumb
What could be more intriguing that a story obout Black classical musician whose family heirloom violin and a Stradivarius at that, is stolen before he competes in the most prestigious music competition in the world?
Ray McMillian loves playing violin and dreams of becoming a profession musician. Despite his mother not believing in him and thinks he should get a real job, and with the racism he’s experiencing in the classical music world, it does not stop him from playing. When he discovers that his grandfathers fiddle is a priceless Stradivarius, he is suddenly in the centre of attention and starts to make a name for himself. He’s preparing for the Tchaikovsky Competition for months and his violin is stolen on the eve of the companion. Ray is determined to get it back at all costs. But with his family and the family of the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s grandfather are staking claims, Ray will do everything to find his beloved piece and proves it truly belongs to him.
I love and enjoy reading this one. I like the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the violin and that keeps me reading this until the end. I hate the racism here and how the people, his family, the police, the music industry, treat him because of the color of his skin. I feel bad about it but I like how Ray perseveres that despite all his bad experiences he still gives back to those people that needs help.
There is some predictability here as to who stole the violin and I wish there’s more in-depth story behind its disappearance. I also feel the ending is a bit rush and wrap up nicely. But I enjoy the overall story, the history, the mystery, the classical symphonies even though I don’t understand how to play and what goes into the music.
I love the author’s note at the end. I didn’t know that only 1.8 percent of musicians performing in classical symphonies are Black, 12 percent are people of color. And even after playing violin for forty years, he is still confronted with conscious and unconscious discrimination. When will we ever learn as people and as human, sigh.
Ray McMillian loves playing violin and dreams of becoming a profession musician. Despite his mother not believing in him and thinks he should get a real job, and with the racism he’s experiencing in the classical music world, it does not stop him from playing. When he discovers that his grandfathers fiddle is a priceless Stradivarius, he is suddenly in the centre of attention and starts to make a name for himself. He’s preparing for the Tchaikovsky Competition for months and his violin is stolen on the eve of the companion. Ray is determined to get it back at all costs. But with his family and the family of the descendants of the man who once enslaved Ray’s grandfather are staking claims, Ray will do everything to find his beloved piece and proves it truly belongs to him.
I love and enjoy reading this one. I like the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the violin and that keeps me reading this until the end. I hate the racism here and how the people, his family, the police, the music industry, treat him because of the color of his skin. I feel bad about it but I like how Ray perseveres that despite all his bad experiences he still gives back to those people that needs help.
There is some predictability here as to who stole the violin and I wish there’s more in-depth story behind its disappearance. I also feel the ending is a bit rush and wrap up nicely. But I enjoy the overall story, the history, the mystery, the classical symphonies even though I don’t understand how to play and what goes into the music.
I love the author’s note at the end. I didn’t know that only 1.8 percent of musicians performing in classical symphonies are Black, 12 percent are people of color. And even after playing violin for forty years, he is still confronted with conscious and unconscious discrimination. When will we ever learn as people and as human, sigh.