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Still Life with Memories #3
The Music of Us
In 1970, Lenny can no longer deny that his wife is undergoing a profound change. Despite her relatively young age, her mind succumbs to forgetfulness. Now, he recalls how he first fell in love with her in 1941, when he was a young marine, and she—a rising star.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
390 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Uvi Poznansky
41 books359 followersUvi Poznansky is a USA TODAY bestselling, award-winning author, poet and artist. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.” Her romantic suspense box set, Love Under Fire, and her medical thriller box set, Do No Harm, made the USA TODAY bestselling list. Her romance box set, A Touch of Passion, was the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.
Education and work:
Uvi earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel and practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, called Home for the Soldier.
Having moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children, Uvi received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, she guided teams in a variety of design projects and earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.
She worked first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices.) All the while, she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.
Books and Genres:
Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance is a suspense series. It includes Coma Confidential, Virtually Lace, and Overdose.
Still Life with Memories is a family saga series with touches of romance. The series includes My Own Voice, The White Piano, The Music of Us, Dancing with Air, and Marriage before Death. Volume I and II are bundled in Apart from Love; volume III-V are bundled in Apart from War.
The David Chronicles is a historical fiction series with a modern twist. It includes three novels--Rise to Power, A Peek at Bathsheba, and The Edge of Revolt--and six art through the ages collections, describing each moment of the story.
Her poetry book, Home, is in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. In addition, Uvi wrote and illustrated two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (find them on YouTube and on her Goodreads page.)
Education and work:
Uvi earned her B. A. in Architecture and Town Planning from the Technion in Haifa, Israel and practiced with an innovative Architectural firm, taking a major part in the large-scale project, called Home for the Soldier.
Having moved to Troy, N.Y. with her husband and two children, Uvi received a Fellowship grant and a Teaching Assistantship from the Architecture department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. There, she guided teams in a variety of design projects and earned her M.A. in Architecture. Then, taking a sharp turn in her education, she earned her M.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Michigan.
She worked first as an architect, and later as a software engineer, software team leader, software manager and a software consultant (with an emphasis on user interface for medical instruments devices.) All the while, she wrote and painted constantly, and exhibited in Israel and California. In addition, she taught art appreciation classes. Her versatile body of work includes bronze and ceramic sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, and mixed media.
Books and Genres:
Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance is a suspense series. It includes Coma Confidential, Virtually Lace, and Overdose.
Still Life with Memories is a family saga series with touches of romance. The series includes My Own Voice, The White Piano, The Music of Us, Dancing with Air, and Marriage before Death. Volume I and II are bundled in Apart from Love; volume III-V are bundled in Apart from War.
The David Chronicles is a historical fiction series with a modern twist. It includes three novels--Rise to Power, A Peek at Bathsheba, and The Edge of Revolt--and six art through the ages collections, describing each moment of the story.
Her poetry book, Home, is in tribute to her father. Her collection of dark tales, Twisted, and her Historical Fiction book, A Favorite Son, are both new age, biblically inspired books. In addition, Uvi wrote and illustrated two children books, Jess and Wiggle and Now I Am Paper. For each one of these books, she created an animation video (find them on YouTube and on her Goodreads page.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 27, 2015
Life is like a symphony, it has its slow and lilting moments, the staccato notes of adventure or fear, the crescendo of joy and the minuet of lifelong partners and soulmates. As we head toward the last stanza, sometimes life hits discordant notes or fails to flow smoothly along, with notes forgotten or misplayed.
Lenny and Natasha’s love story has spanned decades, with highs and lows, as well as tumultuous times, but the beautiful and gifted concert pianist has changed, is changing and her grasp on reality is painfully slipping away. As Lenny continues to care for his fading love, he takes his own fortifying journey into their past, how fate brought them together during war and kept taunting them with the inevitable, they were made for each other. An awestruck and smitten young soldier has found his heart’s desire in the eyes and heart of a star. He knows they didn’t’ have a fairytale romance, reality isn’t like that, they are both flawed and have done brutal things to each other, but the love was always there, sometimes in need of a good polishing. How will Lenny go on when Alzheimer’s is snuffing out the light in Natasha’s eyes? Will the memories only he will know be enough? Love knows no bounds, but neither does pain.
The Music of Us by the very gifted Uvi Poznansky is like dark, rich, bittersweet chocolate, hard to savor on its own, but when fortified with the sweetness of memories it becomes a robust sensation that excites the mental tastebuds. Two young lovers, once strangers, have been lovers, a family, parents, friends and are now coming full circle as one becomes a stranger to the other, once again.
Uvi Poznansky draws from a deep emotional well, as she details a love story that has withstood the tests of time, been battered and bruised, yet never ends. Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words.
Series: Still Life with Memories - Book 3
Publication Date: November 11, 2015
Publisher: Uvi Poznansky
Genre: Romance
Print Length: 224 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Lenny and Natasha’s love story has spanned decades, with highs and lows, as well as tumultuous times, but the beautiful and gifted concert pianist has changed, is changing and her grasp on reality is painfully slipping away. As Lenny continues to care for his fading love, he takes his own fortifying journey into their past, how fate brought them together during war and kept taunting them with the inevitable, they were made for each other. An awestruck and smitten young soldier has found his heart’s desire in the eyes and heart of a star. He knows they didn’t’ have a fairytale romance, reality isn’t like that, they are both flawed and have done brutal things to each other, but the love was always there, sometimes in need of a good polishing. How will Lenny go on when Alzheimer’s is snuffing out the light in Natasha’s eyes? Will the memories only he will know be enough? Love knows no bounds, but neither does pain.
The Music of Us by the very gifted Uvi Poznansky is like dark, rich, bittersweet chocolate, hard to savor on its own, but when fortified with the sweetness of memories it becomes a robust sensation that excites the mental tastebuds. Two young lovers, once strangers, have been lovers, a family, parents, friends and are now coming full circle as one becomes a stranger to the other, once again.
Uvi Poznansky draws from a deep emotional well, as she details a love story that has withstood the tests of time, been battered and bruised, yet never ends. Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words.
Series: Still Life with Memories - Book 3
Publication Date: November 11, 2015
Publisher: Uvi Poznansky
Genre: Romance
Print Length: 224 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 18, 2017
This was a sweet, but rather quick account of an American soldier who falls in love with a beautiful Russian pianist. Although we are introduced to Lenny and Natasha when they are a married couple, most of the story recounts their first meeting and how consumed with love they became during WWII. The story was bittersweet as we are confronted with Natasha's memory loss and Lenny's denial that his wife's health is diminishing. The author really conveyed through her writing what spouses of Alzheimer's patients go through.
November 23, 2015
This is an amazing love story of a generation removed. So the readers journey begin into how a soldier fell for a young girl who made piano keys sing.
Not the most sophisticated of men our hero however loves deeply. Appreciates more than others of his age and thus the girl with the mood swings who's mother hate him tries nonetheless to get as close to this young woman as he can for he sees her as a woman, and he sees her in her music and such passion, such determination, such fear needs love.
But will love be enough.
As always this author does not disappoint. This book, even though it is strictly speaking a romance is a study of the best and the worst of the mundane we all call life.
I loved it. Pick up your own copy and see what you think.
Not the most sophisticated of men our hero however loves deeply. Appreciates more than others of his age and thus the girl with the mood swings who's mother hate him tries nonetheless to get as close to this young woman as he can for he sees her as a woman, and he sees her in her music and such passion, such determination, such fear needs love.
But will love be enough.
As always this author does not disappoint. This book, even though it is strictly speaking a romance is a study of the best and the worst of the mundane we all call life.
I loved it. Pick up your own copy and see what you think.
July 9, 2017
Words can be melodic, and author Uvi Poznansky’s book at times reads like a symphony. This is the music of love, elegantly written with an essence of bittersweet romance. It is a celebration of the wonderful feelings people experience during the early days of getting to know each other, written in the heartbreak and shadows of later years.
The book does end abruptly, with the specter of uncertainty hovering above Lenny and Natasha as they deal with the possibility of her illness (this is revealed in the beginning of the story). I am not a fan of continued stories, but I must add that the author’s focus was on the story of the pair’s romance before marriage. As Ms. Poznansky successfully described that period in full, this book should be regarded as complete.
As a warning to those who read this book and wish to read the next offering, stop reading when you reach the words “Continued with Dancing With Air, Volume IV of Still Life With Memories.” If you read further, you will find spoilers that will reveal information about the previous as well as the upcoming books.
Though this is not a genre I usually read, I was captivated by the excellence of the prose and the presentation of the story. While a romance novel, there is no in-your-face sex or objectionable language to get in the way of what is a wonderful story relating the growth of love between two people. Five stars.
The book does end abruptly, with the specter of uncertainty hovering above Lenny and Natasha as they deal with the possibility of her illness (this is revealed in the beginning of the story). I am not a fan of continued stories, but I must add that the author’s focus was on the story of the pair’s romance before marriage. As Ms. Poznansky successfully described that period in full, this book should be regarded as complete.
As a warning to those who read this book and wish to read the next offering, stop reading when you reach the words “Continued with Dancing With Air, Volume IV of Still Life With Memories.” If you read further, you will find spoilers that will reveal information about the previous as well as the upcoming books.
Though this is not a genre I usually read, I was captivated by the excellence of the prose and the presentation of the story. While a romance novel, there is no in-your-face sex or objectionable language to get in the way of what is a wonderful story relating the growth of love between two people. Five stars.
November 3, 2018
A Deeply Emotional Journey Of Love And Loss.
An amazing tale of love, strength and commitment, The Music of Us is an incredibly emotional and moving portrayal of Lenny and Natasha’s journey through life.
When successful pianist Natasha begins exhibiting the signs of Early Onset Alzheimer's, Lenny takes us back to the past, when he first met Natasha, detailing the events which kept throwing them together. Their poignant love story is told with heart and humor, an account of two people who are fated to be together, detailing their love and loss, covering the years from the Second World War to Vietnam and into the seventies. Giving the reader an accurate sense of the world as it was back then, the well-chosen details provided by the author will take you back in time, along with Lenny.
As the Alzheimer’s starts taking over their lives, Lenny’s dedication to Natasha makes him try anything to bring pieces of her memory back, and the love and commitment he has for both her and their marriage is truly touching.
And I can certainly relate to the story since my own grandfather died in his early sixties from complications resulting from Early Onset Alzheimer’s, while my father is currently battling the disease.
As with every piece of art created by Uvi, The Music of Us is wrought from the heart, and will take you on hauntingly emotional journey of love and loss.
🎼Five Stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An amazing tale of love, strength and commitment, The Music of Us is an incredibly emotional and moving portrayal of Lenny and Natasha’s journey through life.
When successful pianist Natasha begins exhibiting the signs of Early Onset Alzheimer's, Lenny takes us back to the past, when he first met Natasha, detailing the events which kept throwing them together. Their poignant love story is told with heart and humor, an account of two people who are fated to be together, detailing their love and loss, covering the years from the Second World War to Vietnam and into the seventies. Giving the reader an accurate sense of the world as it was back then, the well-chosen details provided by the author will take you back in time, along with Lenny.
As the Alzheimer’s starts taking over their lives, Lenny’s dedication to Natasha makes him try anything to bring pieces of her memory back, and the love and commitment he has for both her and their marriage is truly touching.
And I can certainly relate to the story since my own grandfather died in his early sixties from complications resulting from Early Onset Alzheimer’s, while my father is currently battling the disease.
As with every piece of art created by Uvi, The Music of Us is wrought from the heart, and will take you on hauntingly emotional journey of love and loss.
🎼Five Stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 22, 2018
Her writing and her art are tightly coupled.
This is the first book I’ve read by Uvi Polnanski. When I read the author’s bio, the description of her writing so accurately portrayed her work I felt compelled to share her words in my review—Her writing and her art are tightly coupled. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.”
The Music Of Us is a beautifully crafted story of love through the ages. Written in first person through the hero’s eyes, Poznansky shares the poignant, bitter-sweet memories of Lenny as he chronicles the beautiful love story between he and Natasha. With a backdrop of WWII and an amazingly accurate description of the era, Poznanski paints her story on the canvas of our minds.
I felt the emotion from love at first sight and his desperate attempts to win over Natasha’s mother to his acceptance of his love’s struggle with Alzheimers as he reads of her failing mind in her diary.
A mesmerizing, powerful saga!
This is the first book I’ve read by Uvi Polnanski. When I read the author’s bio, the description of her writing so accurately portrayed her work I felt compelled to share her words in my review—Her writing and her art are tightly coupled. “I paint with my pen,” she says, “and write with my paintbrush.”
The Music Of Us is a beautifully crafted story of love through the ages. Written in first person through the hero’s eyes, Poznansky shares the poignant, bitter-sweet memories of Lenny as he chronicles the beautiful love story between he and Natasha. With a backdrop of WWII and an amazingly accurate description of the era, Poznanski paints her story on the canvas of our minds.
I felt the emotion from love at first sight and his desperate attempts to win over Natasha’s mother to his acceptance of his love’s struggle with Alzheimers as he reads of her failing mind in her diary.
A mesmerizing, powerful saga!
November 17, 2015
*****A VERY TOUCHING PORTRAIT
Having read Ms. Pozansky's Apart From Love (Still Live With Memories Vol. 1 and 2) and gotten involved with her characters, I wanted to read her new book, The Music of Us (Still Life With Memories Book 3). To my surprise and delight it turned out to be a prequel to that first book. Why delight? Because it not only fully explained the background of how two of those original protagonists met, it also helped me understand the reasons why the things that happened to them later on in Apart From Love occurred.
This new book is a very touching story of two young people and the joining of their souls after a circumstantial meeting and a friend playing Cyrano de Bergerac. Using her signature lyricism––poetic, poignant, yet simple and straight forward––Poznansky shares some fine descriptions of WWII: a live concert gone awry, a U.S. training camp and later on, England in ruins.
We also find out why her male lead later becomes a writer, her female lead's need to break free from her dominating mother, and the girl's father's tragic demise that foreshadows her own future. And all of this, wrapped up in the girl's musical talent, which is both precocious and stunning. A very lovely, powerful read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Having read Ms. Pozansky's Apart From Love (Still Live With Memories Vol. 1 and 2) and gotten involved with her characters, I wanted to read her new book, The Music of Us (Still Life With Memories Book 3). To my surprise and delight it turned out to be a prequel to that first book. Why delight? Because it not only fully explained the background of how two of those original protagonists met, it also helped me understand the reasons why the things that happened to them later on in Apart From Love occurred.
This new book is a very touching story of two young people and the joining of their souls after a circumstantial meeting and a friend playing Cyrano de Bergerac. Using her signature lyricism––poetic, poignant, yet simple and straight forward––Poznansky shares some fine descriptions of WWII: a live concert gone awry, a U.S. training camp and later on, England in ruins.
We also find out why her male lead later becomes a writer, her female lead's need to break free from her dominating mother, and the girl's father's tragic demise that foreshadows her own future. And all of this, wrapped up in the girl's musical talent, which is both precocious and stunning. A very lovely, powerful read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 3, 2016
I’ve grown to love Uvi Poznansky’s writing style, which is why I wanted to read this book. Most of the story takes place in World War Two. Now, before you say anything, I’m not a huge fan of historical stories but occasionally there is a gem among them. A story so good that even a sworn paranormal romance lover like me gets swept away with it. This was it.
The words flowed like the sweetest poem on the paper and made the love story between Lenny and Natasha live. Even with the difficult topic, the story was written so heartbreakingly warmly that it simply melted my heart. The author clearly is not afraid to handle difficult issues. Quite the opposite! She skillfully guided me to the world that was new to me, handed me Altzheimer, asked me to suck it up and see behind the illness, and wrapped me around her finger by drowning me with a bunch of emotions that made me cry like a baby. Well done! Well done indeed.
This is not an ordinary read but a journey through time, a peek to our past and a reminder that the best things in life are not bound by any rules, time or age. Highly recommended!
The words flowed like the sweetest poem on the paper and made the love story between Lenny and Natasha live. Even with the difficult topic, the story was written so heartbreakingly warmly that it simply melted my heart. The author clearly is not afraid to handle difficult issues. Quite the opposite! She skillfully guided me to the world that was new to me, handed me Altzheimer, asked me to suck it up and see behind the illness, and wrapped me around her finger by drowning me with a bunch of emotions that made me cry like a baby. Well done! Well done indeed.
This is not an ordinary read but a journey through time, a peek to our past and a reminder that the best things in life are not bound by any rules, time or age. Highly recommended!
November 19, 2015
Oh what gorgeous writing. This is a deeply moving story of love, of World War II and rationing and the music of that era, but mostly it's a story of the heartbreak of Alzheimer's. Len is a soldier who falls in love with an exquisite young concert pianist. He isn't sophisticated, but becomes enthralled with Natasha's musical passion. She's a fragile girl, however, prone to mood swings. The two love each other and marry, but as the years and decades pass they continue to be very different people.
Cruelly, Alzheimer's hits when Natasha is only forty-five. One's heart breaks to hear Lenny ask, "What is it, dear?" Natasha, who he's just described as treating him like a stranger, answers, "I just sat down at my piano and tried to buckle my seat belt."
This is harrowing. You feel Lenny's sense of loss and emotional devastation. The author's own passion draws you in, makes you feel every wrench of what the characters feel. This powerful, poignant story is absolutely mesmerizing.
Cruelly, Alzheimer's hits when Natasha is only forty-five. One's heart breaks to hear Lenny ask, "What is it, dear?" Natasha, who he's just described as treating him like a stranger, answers, "I just sat down at my piano and tried to buckle my seat belt."
This is harrowing. You feel Lenny's sense of loss and emotional devastation. The author's own passion draws you in, makes you feel every wrench of what the characters feel. This powerful, poignant story is absolutely mesmerizing.
February 5, 2017
Lenny has tried to deny Natasha's condition, it is to painful to face. So he goes back in time, into his memories. Together we live his first encounter with Natasha and become part of a blooming love. Lenny is mesmerized not only by her beauty but also by the way she makes music come alive when she plays. He remembers her constant worry that she would loose herself as her father did succumbing to Alzheimer's. Uvi is a master story teller and captures the atmosphere of life at the beginning of WWII. Amazing.
March 12, 2017
A touching romance. The author brings readers a tale that shifts between England and the US. Although a series it can be read as a stand alone novel. Natasha, Lenny and their son Ben are great characters readers will love. I have read this authors short stories in anthologies and her books and found all heart touching compelling reads.
February 19, 2018
Framed by the departure of his son for Italy and an appointment for his ailing wife's medical tests, a man remembers back to happier days when he first met and fell in love. Beautifully told. Natasha is beautiful, innocent and, even as a 16 year old, a melancholy soul, beautifully crafted by the author's loving touch. Lenny is brash, and funny and eternally hopeful, and the America they are set in, early in WWII is a world that is portrayed with a lyrical language that is at once beautiful and dream like - a world that can only exist in that "still life" the title refuses to.
Like the other books in this series, Natasha and Lenny's story is one every lover of great literature should read.
Like the other books in this series, Natasha and Lenny's story is one every lover of great literature should read.
May 4, 2016
This novel is like a modern fairy tale. Lenny, the WWII Marine is handsome, brave, naive, and loves music. He falls in love with Natasha, a young and beautiful blithe spirit, with an exotic Russian accent; she is an angel from music heaven who charms Lenny with her prodigious piano playing. Enter the wicked witch-- Natasha's mother, whose rude accent, disparaging remarks, and hostile actions against Lenny provide the obstacles to true love. At one point, Mama Horowitz prevents the exchange of mail between her daughter and Lenny, almost destroying the love affair. There is also a bit of magic sprinkled about, such as the time Lenny's uncle appears out of nowhere to provide a brand new Ford convertible for Lenny to drive to Natasha's house on his first visit there. Like a fairy godfather presenting the shining carriage!
The story is told in Lenny's point of view, and he is the only character with depth, although his father who appears only in Lenny's thoughts, is a fairly empathetic and credible character.
The love story is over the top and overly dramatic, a bit incredible. But real feelings come through in the chapters where Lenny escorts the casket of a dead soldier to a family in New York, while also hoping to reunite with his own dying father. Lenny's narration of grief for the soldier's family and for his father are straightforward, unsentimental, but heartbreaking. The pacing that follows is good, gradually returning Lenny to happiness through music.
The fairy tale has a happy moment at the end but is not "happily ever after." The marriage of Lenny and Natasha apparently went sour, but there are only hints of what went wrong. Compared to the buildup and details of the romance, the failures in marriage are summarized and vague. (Perhaps this is because the book is part of a series and more details can be learned in another book.)
The novel opens with Natasha in the throes of memory loss at age 45, and Lenny beginning to come to terms with her early-onset Alzheimer's. Their son Ben has left the family home on awkward terms with his father and advising Lenny to "take care of Mom."
It's a fairy tale with a back story yet to be revealed.
More editing would have been a good idea. 1) More editing could have cut misspellings, such as "Manhatten" instead of "Manhattan"; 2)wrong words, such as "gruesome" for "grueling," "farther" where "further" is correct; and 3) information overload (data dumping) that doesn't move the story forward or reveal character. For instance, on one page alone the reader can learn about a Nazi summer camp in the U.S., background information on Irving Berlin's composing "God Bless America," the definition of a Knabe (a type of piano), and Franklin Roosevelt's choosing "God Bless America" for his campaign song. All interesting, but unnecessary to the story.
The story is told in Lenny's point of view, and he is the only character with depth, although his father who appears only in Lenny's thoughts, is a fairly empathetic and credible character.
The love story is over the top and overly dramatic, a bit incredible. But real feelings come through in the chapters where Lenny escorts the casket of a dead soldier to a family in New York, while also hoping to reunite with his own dying father. Lenny's narration of grief for the soldier's family and for his father are straightforward, unsentimental, but heartbreaking. The pacing that follows is good, gradually returning Lenny to happiness through music.
The fairy tale has a happy moment at the end but is not "happily ever after." The marriage of Lenny and Natasha apparently went sour, but there are only hints of what went wrong. Compared to the buildup and details of the romance, the failures in marriage are summarized and vague. (Perhaps this is because the book is part of a series and more details can be learned in another book.)
The novel opens with Natasha in the throes of memory loss at age 45, and Lenny beginning to come to terms with her early-onset Alzheimer's. Their son Ben has left the family home on awkward terms with his father and advising Lenny to "take care of Mom."
It's a fairy tale with a back story yet to be revealed.
More editing would have been a good idea. 1) More editing could have cut misspellings, such as "Manhatten" instead of "Manhattan"; 2)wrong words, such as "gruesome" for "grueling," "farther" where "further" is correct; and 3) information overload (data dumping) that doesn't move the story forward or reveal character. For instance, on one page alone the reader can learn about a Nazi summer camp in the U.S., background information on Irving Berlin's composing "God Bless America," the definition of a Knabe (a type of piano), and Franklin Roosevelt's choosing "God Bless America" for his campaign song. All interesting, but unnecessary to the story.
November 18, 2015
When I write a book review, I don’t like to rehash the plot—that information is easily accessible in the book description. What I prefer is to share how the book made me feel, and what I valued between its covers.
Uvi Poznansky is a literary tour de force in a contemporary age when the quality of writing often takes a back seat to the quick thrill, or to be more precise, the quick buck. She writes as she paints, with careful, vibrant strokes of amazing clarity and color. Whether you are a reader or writer, teacher or student, you owe it to yourself read her work. You will be transported to a world where life is examined from a poet’s point of view, where you live in vignettes so real that you can’t help but love and care for the characters.
I have read all of Poznansky’s work, but this book resonated more deeply with me than all the previous titles, which I truly enjoyed. I suppose it is because I am an inveterate romantic. I ached for the young, “flashback” characters to come together. I shouted at them to wake up and smell the coffee when they missed opportunities to get together, and I reveled in the sweet endings when they finally connected.
The atmosphere of the 1940s is beautifully portrayed, and on a secondary level only to the (mostly) unrequited love story, it was my next treasured experience while reading this book. I loved the sounds and sights of the era, the music, the cars, and the lifestyles so well depicted. It was a fascinating dip into the life of those dynamic times.
If you are aching for a lyrical read, for something above and beyond the usual offerings in the field of fiction, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Uvi Poznansky’s The Music of Us.
--Aaron Paul Lazar
Uvi Poznansky is a literary tour de force in a contemporary age when the quality of writing often takes a back seat to the quick thrill, or to be more precise, the quick buck. She writes as she paints, with careful, vibrant strokes of amazing clarity and color. Whether you are a reader or writer, teacher or student, you owe it to yourself read her work. You will be transported to a world where life is examined from a poet’s point of view, where you live in vignettes so real that you can’t help but love and care for the characters.
I have read all of Poznansky’s work, but this book resonated more deeply with me than all the previous titles, which I truly enjoyed. I suppose it is because I am an inveterate romantic. I ached for the young, “flashback” characters to come together. I shouted at them to wake up and smell the coffee when they missed opportunities to get together, and I reveled in the sweet endings when they finally connected.
The atmosphere of the 1940s is beautifully portrayed, and on a secondary level only to the (mostly) unrequited love story, it was my next treasured experience while reading this book. I loved the sounds and sights of the era, the music, the cars, and the lifestyles so well depicted. It was a fascinating dip into the life of those dynamic times.
If you are aching for a lyrical read, for something above and beyond the usual offerings in the field of fiction, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Uvi Poznansky’s The Music of Us.
--Aaron Paul Lazar
March 2, 2018
An emotional, touching and bittersweet romance...
Award-winning author, poet and artist Uvi Poznansky weaves an outstanding and noteworthy World War II love story with entrancing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints an emotional, touching and bittersweet romance story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and integrity.
The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
It’s a captivating and commendable read that had me engrossed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows extraordinary skill when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey!
I’m a big fan of Uvi so any ink that flows from her pen comes highly recommended from me. This work, The Music of Us, is of course, no exception. It’s one of those books that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. A well-deserved 5 stars and a highly recommended read.
Award-winning author, poet and artist Uvi Poznansky weaves an outstanding and noteworthy World War II love story with entrancing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints an emotional, touching and bittersweet romance story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and integrity.
The story had every element a good story should have. An exciting plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
It’s a captivating and commendable read that had me engrossed from the beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows extraordinary skill when it comes to storytelling. There are plenty of attention-grabbing moments in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly mesmerizing journey!
I’m a big fan of Uvi so any ink that flows from her pen comes highly recommended from me. This work, The Music of Us, is of course, no exception. It’s one of those books that come along occasionally that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end. I’m giving nothing further away here. And this, I hope, will only add to the mystery and enjoyment for the reader. A well-deserved 5 stars and a highly recommended read.
October 21, 2016
f you've ever read anything by Uvi Poznansky before now, you'd be familiar with her wisdom and often precise insight. If not, you will learn that this author has a mesmerizing talent in both her novels, blogs, interviews and articles, for observing the intricacies of life and human motivation and is able to deliver these in the most gripping of ways. The Music of Us (Still Life with Memories Book 3) is no exception. I found this to be a beautiful masterpiece of chapters, which draws the reader into a tapestry of history, war, love and a new understanding of the human spirit. For those who have not read books 1 & 2, I would recommend doing so, but if you've stumbled upon The Music of Us first, it will be of no consequence. This read, with its fascinating array of historical factors, music, art and a detailed view of Alzheimer, is so enthralling in its detail that it will more than satisfy. Yet, it isn't just Poznansky's devotion and captivating observation that is a thrilling experience, it is likewise her unique artistry of words. She captures the reader with flowing beauty. I felt the life and atmosphere of the 1940's, and was so absorbed in the story, a likewise yearning for a time I never knew. This novel will truly move you, take you into Uvi's realm. Her words unfurl like silk and touch the reader on a deep level. Highly, highly recommended.
November 28, 2015
When I learned of Book Three of the family saga, Still Life with Memories by Uvi Poznansky I couldn’t wait to delve into, The Music of Us.
The author always delivers rich, multidimensional characters. Book 3 gives readers a fascinating prequel to a time when Lenny and Natasha first met, he a young Marine and she a virtuoso pianist.
Lenny met Natasha while she performed on base and fell head over heels for her.
The author takes us into the lives of these principal characters Lenny and Natasha. It drew me into the lives of both. Most of the story took place during WWII, a time my parents met and began their life together. The author did an excellent job researching events and history of the period.
Early in the story one of Lenny’s friends receives orders to Hawaii. Not long after that the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The narrative weaves a tight interchange of scenes. I found myself wanting them to come together. Each has likable traits with obstacles to overcome. Uvi Poznansky writes with poetic artistry.
That generation has been called the Greatest Generation for the sacrifices they made and their amazing accomplishments in later years. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance. If you enjoy believable, complex characters, this is a book for you.
The author always delivers rich, multidimensional characters. Book 3 gives readers a fascinating prequel to a time when Lenny and Natasha first met, he a young Marine and she a virtuoso pianist.
Lenny met Natasha while she performed on base and fell head over heels for her.
The author takes us into the lives of these principal characters Lenny and Natasha. It drew me into the lives of both. Most of the story took place during WWII, a time my parents met and began their life together. The author did an excellent job researching events and history of the period.
Early in the story one of Lenny’s friends receives orders to Hawaii. Not long after that the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The narrative weaves a tight interchange of scenes. I found myself wanting them to come together. Each has likable traits with obstacles to overcome. Uvi Poznansky writes with poetic artistry.
That generation has been called the Greatest Generation for the sacrifices they made and their amazing accomplishments in later years. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance. If you enjoy believable, complex characters, this is a book for you.
January 14, 2016
This is the story of Lenny and Natasha, at the hopeful start of their relationship, at the start of US involvement in World War II, when Lenny is a young marine, and Natasha is a young concert pianist, who meets Lenny when she does a USO performance. It's also their story over three decades later, when their son is grown, and the early onset Alzheimer's that claimed her father is attacking Natasha. It's warm, heartbreaking, and yet ultimately with a touch of hope, that what Lenny and Natasha have is real and meaningful even as Natasha's identity is starting to slip away. It's told from Lenny's viewpoint the whole way, and captures his feelings of new love, fear, jealousy, hope, and excitement, as well as old, mature love, grieving at Natasha's slow decline, and a loving but frustrated parent who doesn't know how to strengthen his fragile relationship with his son. Altogether, a darker story than I expected, but very well done.
I bought this book.
I bought this book.
November 22, 2015
The moment Lenny sees Natasha playing piano he's smitten. I love how this sweet story is set in one of the harshest times in history. There's such an innocent nostalgia about Natasha rolling skating down the road and a tough Marine not knowing how to drive a car.
Of course this wonderful love story turns out to be bittersweet, because we get a glimpse into Lenny and Natasha's future. We soon discover that she is slowly losing her memories to Alzheimer's.
Ms. Poznansky paints a beautiful picture of love in her book, The Music of Us.
Of course this wonderful love story turns out to be bittersweet, because we get a glimpse into Lenny and Natasha's future. We soon discover that she is slowly losing her memories to Alzheimer's.
Ms. Poznansky paints a beautiful picture of love in her book, The Music of Us.
May 31, 2016
Reading this book was like listening to a symphony. There were exciting passages, sweet moments, tension, beautiful times and heartbreak. The story moves back to WWII when Lenny, a young Marine, hears the sixteen year old Natasha perform at his base. They are then separated by time and war as they struggle with death and fear all around them. Each time it seems they will come together , life happens. After they are finally together, they will eventually be separated forever by Alzheimer's. This well-written story is one that everyone should read.
February 27, 2017
this ended up being a beautifully written story of young love in a very troubled time in history. I would say it's more romance than historical fiction but I recommend it.
June 25, 2017
Great story line
Could not put this book down even read it on my phone when I had a spare couple of minutes
Could not put this book down even read it on my phone when I had a spare couple of minutes
November 17, 2025
This book felt a little less thought out than it should have been, and that ended up affecting the whole reading experience for me. The setup had potential, especially with the revelation that the wife of the male lead may be showing signs of Alzheimer’s. The doctor recommends a test to confirm it, and then nothing comes from it. He does not schedule the test, the story never circles back, and it creates this strange hollow space in the narrative that I kept waiting for the author to fill.
Instead, the story shifts into a long detour about how they met when he was a soldier and she was a musician. Those scenes had their moments, but they felt disconnected from the urgency and emotional weight of what was happening in the present. It was almost like two separate books glued together, and the transition between them never quite made sense to me.
What frustrated me most was being left with no clarity on the wife’s health. The way the illness was introduced suggested it would matter, that it would shape something important, but it never does. The lack of resolution felt like being left hanging, and it made the emotional stakes fall flat. By the end, I was more confused than moved, and the story’s impact never reached what it could have been.
Instead, the story shifts into a long detour about how they met when he was a soldier and she was a musician. Those scenes had their moments, but they felt disconnected from the urgency and emotional weight of what was happening in the present. It was almost like two separate books glued together, and the transition between them never quite made sense to me.
What frustrated me most was being left with no clarity on the wife’s health. The way the illness was introduced suggested it would matter, that it would shape something important, but it never does. The lack of resolution felt like being left hanging, and it made the emotional stakes fall flat. By the end, I was more confused than moved, and the story’s impact never reached what it could have been.
October 27, 2021
The Music of Us is a lovely romance with a heartfelt emotional journey.
From the first moment Lenny saw Natasha, a concert pianist, he was intrigued and instantly fell in love.
Lenny is a young Marine and Natasha is sixteen years old when they meet. Lenny’s stations cause the two to be a distance apart so the two exchange letters. Natasha’s letters to Lenny are creative and the underlying content of them is wise beyond her years. Winning over Natasha’s mother proves to be a challenge for Lenny.
The story actually begins in the early 1970s at which time Natasha is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. The story then goes back to when Lenny and Natasha first met and leads the reader through the trials and tribulations of their journey. The two couldn’t be more different, yet they are drawn to each other.
The author’s wordsmithing is as beautiful as the love story itself. Your heart will warm at Lenny’s commitment to Natasha and explode from the pain caused to Lenny at the portrayal of Natasha’s memory loss. This was such a powerful story.
I’ve worked with Uvi Poznansky in the past on a boxed set and instantly became a fan of her stories.
From the first moment Lenny saw Natasha, a concert pianist, he was intrigued and instantly fell in love.
Lenny is a young Marine and Natasha is sixteen years old when they meet. Lenny’s stations cause the two to be a distance apart so the two exchange letters. Natasha’s letters to Lenny are creative and the underlying content of them is wise beyond her years. Winning over Natasha’s mother proves to be a challenge for Lenny.
The story actually begins in the early 1970s at which time Natasha is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. The story then goes back to when Lenny and Natasha first met and leads the reader through the trials and tribulations of their journey. The two couldn’t be more different, yet they are drawn to each other.
The author’s wordsmithing is as beautiful as the love story itself. Your heart will warm at Lenny’s commitment to Natasha and explode from the pain caused to Lenny at the portrayal of Natasha’s memory loss. This was such a powerful story.
I’ve worked with Uvi Poznansky in the past on a boxed set and instantly became a fan of her stories.
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August 26, 2018
"Listen here, Dostoyevsky," ...said the hard to please mother lol
I was instantly enchanted by everything in this story. From the cover to the story itself.
Before her brain started decaying. Before she couldn't even bring herself to play anymore...American soldier, Lenny fell in love with Russian pianist, Natasha...and then there's her mother hovering somewhere close wanting, needing to protect her. Because she was just a child after all and he was a soldier - here today, gone tomorrow.
A story of love blossoming in such difficult times seems surprisingly easy, when you really want to be together.
I was instantly enchanted by everything in this story. From the cover to the story itself.
Before her brain started decaying. Before she couldn't even bring herself to play anymore...American soldier, Lenny fell in love with Russian pianist, Natasha...and then there's her mother hovering somewhere close wanting, needing to protect her. Because she was just a child after all and he was a soldier - here today, gone tomorrow.
A story of love blossoming in such difficult times seems surprisingly easy, when you really want to be together.
November 16, 2015
With Uvi Poznansky, one never expects an ordinary read. Don't believe me: look inside this book. One glance at the chapter titles in "The Music of Us" part of the longer epic "Still Life with Memories," will let you know you are in for a special treat. War Can Wait. Amazing Grace. Silence of the Muse. A Lowdown Groove. Uvi Poznansky takes you questing, every time she writes, into the closets and behind the curtains of your most private mind. This book must be experienced. It fits no genre (thank heavens). It offers no simple axioms that pass for learning. It's a family saga, a book about World War II, about a shadow forever to be cast by the war that should have ended all wars -- and it's as much about tomorrow as yesterday. It's full of damage and redemption, pain and joy, brought to life by a narrator who wields words like a scalpel. In an age where books worth reading are rare, where individuality is eschewed for comfy tropes, where books are formulas easily deconstructed into their constituent parts and turned into video games or simpering dramatic serials, comes Uvi, her flaming sword raised high, ready to cut through to the quick or the truth, whichever the reader has brought to their encounter with a real writer.
So I'll call this review the quick and the truth, and hope you readers who actually read every word, and think about what you read, will find this book, this writer, this flickering light in the darkness -- and rejoice.
A story like this once was called a novel, and if there were more than one, connected but with each virtually complete, a cycle. So here's Uvi's cycle. Start anywhere. Start here, with "The Music of Us."
So I'll call this review the quick and the truth, and hope you readers who actually read every word, and think about what you read, will find this book, this writer, this flickering light in the darkness -- and rejoice.
A story like this once was called a novel, and if there were more than one, connected but with each virtually complete, a cycle. So here's Uvi's cycle. Start anywhere. Start here, with "The Music of Us."
August 20, 2016
Where do I start with this wonderful book, The Music of Us. I guess by saying how elegant Uvi’s writing is. Some of the best I’ve read in a very long time. This story hit close to home. My mother suffers with Alzheimer's disease and I’ve seen what it can do.
I loved so many things in this book, the humor, the emotions, the characters. Uvi takes you on a journey down memory lane back to the beginning to when Lenny and Natashia first meet. Her musical career was just taking off and I do believe it was love at first sight. Yet, this book is not in the box that some Romance novels are. It’s a touching account of two people that were meant to be together and how fate guided them to meet up again. There is no way you won’t fall in love with Lenny’s dedication to find Natashia again, and to do anything he can to guide them together.
In some ways this book broke my heart and in other ways it tells of how life is such a precious gift. To treasure every day you have with the people you love. I’ve read a lot of stories about Alzheimer’s and I have to say, for me personally, this was the very best. Uvi did a beautiful dance of balance and grace with this story. Maybe it was a little wake up call to say, hey, look at what you have with someone and not what you’ve lost.
I highly recommend this book. Not just for people who have family members with Alzheimer’s disease, but for those who might need a little refresher course on family, friends, and the ties that bind. Loyality, honesty and strength that you find with Lenny, is what we should all strive for.
I loved so many things in this book, the humor, the emotions, the characters. Uvi takes you on a journey down memory lane back to the beginning to when Lenny and Natashia first meet. Her musical career was just taking off and I do believe it was love at first sight. Yet, this book is not in the box that some Romance novels are. It’s a touching account of two people that were meant to be together and how fate guided them to meet up again. There is no way you won’t fall in love with Lenny’s dedication to find Natashia again, and to do anything he can to guide them together.
In some ways this book broke my heart and in other ways it tells of how life is such a precious gift. To treasure every day you have with the people you love. I’ve read a lot of stories about Alzheimer’s and I have to say, for me personally, this was the very best. Uvi did a beautiful dance of balance and grace with this story. Maybe it was a little wake up call to say, hey, look at what you have with someone and not what you’ve lost.
I highly recommend this book. Not just for people who have family members with Alzheimer’s disease, but for those who might need a little refresher course on family, friends, and the ties that bind. Loyality, honesty and strength that you find with Lenny, is what we should all strive for.
July 28, 2016
This was a beautifully written story by Poznansky who has a gift of bringing her readers into the story. The story begins in the 70s when Lenny, a former marine in WWII invites us into his life with his beloved wife Natasha, a concert pianist. As Natasha is progressing with an early onset of dimentia, Lenny's love and hope for her to stay in the present, takes us into the story, told in reflection by Lenny. As we learn about their first meeting, and Lenny's adoration for the young girl Natasha, we follow their relationship through the obstacles they endured through wartime, and missed opportunities amongst themselves, including Natasha's over-bearing mother who tried to keep them apart. But we learn, love has no boundaries. A most beautiful read.
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