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She Shall Have Music

Kitty Barne,

Ruth Gervis (Illustrator)

4.33 · Rating details · 15 ratings · 6 reviews

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Hardcover, 261 pages

Published 1962 by Dent (first published 1938)

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Average rating 4.33 ·

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· 15 ratings · 6 reviews

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Jan 11, 2010 Emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: second-childhood, music, i-added-this-book-to-goodreads

What a treat. Originally published in 1938, this is a book that's very reminiscent of Noel Streatfeild's stories of children who are bursting with talent but have to struggle a little to have the chance to develop it (usually they are "poor" but come from cheerful families with devoted servants). The main difference here is that Karen, the gifted child in this book, plays the piano as opposed to dancing. Kitty Barne was married to a cousin of Streatfeild's, and they shared an illustrator in Ruth ...more

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Apr 27, 2015 Daisy May Johnson rated it liked it

I first came across 'She Shall Have Music' during my Masters when I started to collate a list of children's books featuring gifted and talented characters. It's a topic that still fascinates me; this balance of the incredibly unique individual with talents far beyond comprehension with the needs and necessity of the form. How do you write difference when, in a way, every book is about difference? (Sweeping, sweeping, let me sweep with such statements).

'She Shall Have Music' is an odd, rich littl I first came across 'She Shall Have Music' during my Masters when I started to collate a list of children's books featuring gifted and talented characters. It's a topic that still fascinates me; this balance of the incredibly unique individual with talents far beyond comprehension with the needs and necessity of the form. How do you write difference when, in a way, every book is about difference? (Sweeping, sweeping, let me sweep with such statements).

'She Shall Have Music' is an odd, rich little gem. It's not the easiest to read at parts; some elements have dated quite immensely, there's a bit of 'gosh let's get to the point' and, in the edition that I got out of the library, somebody had luridly coloured in all of the illustrations. Books of this age (published 1938) and ilk are lived-in titles; reflections of the world we live in and the readers we have been. They reflect what was and not what is and it is hard to judge a text by the standards of one age when it has been written in the standards of another. And so, I acknowledge the difficulties of it whilst letting them be, I read over them and acknowledge my reactions whilst recognising them for what they are.

And it is, in a way, when we slide past these awkward moments and really get going on the story that 'She Shall Have Music' begins to play its tune loud and strong. Books featuring gifted and talented characters often have this arc, this long and stiff assemblage of elements and characters and Hurdles To Be Overcome, and you sort of just have to get through it.

When Karen, the central character, starts to discover her talent, we gain some charming and vivid moments and the story begins to get quite confident. It also gets quite pointed too. Barne is clear on what is Good Style and What Is Not. There are some intensely humourous points and Lessons To Be Learnt before Kitty 'shall have music wherever she goes'. A direct, complex and yet still oddly appealing book. And one with an awesome cast of supporting siblings. ...more

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Sep 25, 2018 Lynaia rated it it was amazing

I read this through in 2 nights and would have done it in 1 if I could. As it is, it was after 2am. when I finished. I absolutely loved this book! It tells the story of a young girl who discovers the piano and her journey learning to play. You could tell reading the story that the author understood music and understood those called to play it. Even though this appears to be more of a YA novel, I would highly recommend it to adults as well if you can find it. There is also an adult novel sequel w ...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Tig rated it really liked it

An old favourite read as a bathtime book (I originally put dipped into, but that feels the wrong verb when talking about reading in the bath). The audition chapter is one of my favourite rereads ever. Oh, to have a talent like that, but the next best pleasure is reading about someone else having it.

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Dec 29, 2016 Bethany rated it liked it

I did enjoy the book and finished it, but the characters were too intense for me. Not really my cup of tea, but I'm sure there's an audience for this book who will enjoy it more than I did. Just a bit over-the-top. ...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Rosemary rated it it was amazing

I always used to be inspired to do lots of practice after reading this book! Not this time, now that I'm a bit older - I was more interested in teaching methods. This is a very engaging well paced book. ...more

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