Advance Praise for The Rose Variations:
“The Rose Variations is an elegant symphony of a novel, shaped by a lovely comp... read full description
“The Rose Variations is an elegant symphony of a novel, shaped by a lovely comp... read full description
reviews
Apr 01, 2009
Laurel
rated it: 
I started out disliking this book and ended up not being able to put it down. Stick with it. Yes, it appears that everything that could possibly happen to Rose happens in the first 68 pages, but not true. There's more. And mixed in with all the 70's/80's 'stuff' Chamberlain throws at her characters, is an enchanting portrait of a woman's search for herself; we see variations of Rose. I also found the look at a composer's life interesting; I was fascinated by her process in writing the symph
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Feb 22, 2009
Belynda
rated it:
“The Rose Variations” came to me as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the very awesome folks over at Soho Presst. My sincere thanks to Soho for turning me on to this great first novel, and my congratulations to Marisha Chamberlain for a beautiful and consuming story. I read almost non-stop over three days, unable to part with it for long.
“The Rose Variations” follows the story of Rose MacGregor, the “Girl Composer” in residence at a St. Paul university in the 1970’s, fresh f More...
Aug 03, 2011
An interesting read. Follows the story of a female composer from her first university appointment as professor, through her adventures in love and work. A all-female hippie farm commune with an eccentric, gifted cellist is a stop on the way, as is relationships with alot of the wrong people. It's interesting to follow the arc of how a creative person shapes their life and how their life shapes their music. Worth a read.
Aug 31, 2009
Jenn
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 07, 2011
Bernadette
rated it:
I chose this mainly for the St. Paul, MN setting. I enjoyed reading about the exploits of a young woman composer starting her first temporary professorship at a small college. She explores her music as well as many relationships during the late 70s. Quite a good representation of Minnesota from the author who lives in Hastings, MN. I learned about the academic and performance side of music.
Jun 03, 2009
Marjanne
rated it:
Overall I liked this story. The main character was interesting and very human. She wasn't too perfect or too weird. She gets into some interesting situations and interacts with some unusual people. I like to think that she found love in the end. I think this character is good at showing how people can chronically create their own problems.
Jun 24, 2010
Bernadette
rated it:
In this novel, all women are backstabbers and all relationships are compromises women make so that they don't become "spinsters." Rose is not really an active participant in her life, except when it comes to music. In all other matters, things just seems to happen TO her. Not really the story of a woman "in search of herself", but merely a woman to whom things happen, whose friends and family members annoy her, and who doesn't appear to learn any life lessons from what happen
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Jun 03, 2009
Wren
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book and it helped break me of a my string of trash novels! The language was almost too clever at times, taking me out of the story, but a joy for the most part. Oh oh oh, humans.
Aug 04, 2011
An interesting, if not complex, plot. The main character of Rose evolves through relationships with both men and women in this book as she aspires to compose symphonies at a small college.
Feb 19, 2009
Diane
rated it: 
The Rose Variations -- set in Minnesota -- follows the ups and downs in the life of a new woman professor at a samll private college in St. Paul. Rose has lots of challenges, both personal and professional on her road to securing tenure at the college.
Oct 04, 2009
I'm a sucker for any fiction involving chamber music -- AN EQUAL MUSIC for example, or YA title THE MOZART SEASON. Can you recommend other novels about classical musicians?
Aug 19, 2010
Deb
rated it:
About being a woman in the 70s and 80s, having a career in academia, balancing with love affairs. Very well-written, some nice observations and language in it. Some of the plot turns and characters frustrated me -- not fully thought-out. For instance, the ex-boyfriend's decision to stay with the heroine's selfish sister and help raise her child... This seemed like the author's revenge on him for cheating on the heroine -- would any real person be that stupid?
Jul 27, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
Liked it but did not love it. Rose is an interesting although not alwas lovable Kept me reading and wanting to read more.
May 26, 2009
ugh. Just a few pages in and I was having unhappy visions of Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Tyler's wimpier moments, milquetoast in the Midwest...
Mar 23, 2009
Tuck
rated it:
this had quite a buzz about it pre-pub. and it is good in many ways. but as mentioned by others on goodreads, its supposed to be about a cellist/composer and not a whole lot of music going on in it.
that said, its a GREAT first novel and character Rose is a dear. so many mistakes, heartache, and love and friendship. the the 1970's to boot.
that said, its a GREAT first novel and character Rose is a dear. so many mistakes, heartache, and love and friendship. the the 1970's to boot.
Mar 18, 2009
Linera
rated it: 
The story was supposed to be about a cellist, but music is remarkably absent. Why make the protagonist a musician, and then ignore music? With so many good books in piles on my kitchen table, this one was not worth the time.
Jul 28, 2010
Sue
rated it:
A first novel that's clumsy in many ways but also diverting. The music and gay/les content add to the interest.
May 09, 2009
Bethany
rated it: 
Beautifully written, full of everyday tragedy, its own small symphony.
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