The Duet

by Robert Elmer

Four Hands. Two Hearts. One Song.

When widower Gerrit Appeldoorn takes his granddaughter to piano lessons one day, he finds himself drawn to her music a woman unlike any he has known. It’s an unlikely attraction. He’s a retired dairyman with mud on his boots; Joan Horton is a world traveler and former piano instructor at New York’s most prestigious academy of music. Not quite “beauty and the beast,” but close.

Even so, Gerrit slowly begins to open his to Joan, to music, to the possibilities that may be found in both. Yet as their relationship deepens, Gerrit faces crises concerning his family and farm, while Joan confronts a dark secret that threatens her future. While coping with these challenges, neither can predict how their duet will sound as they practice the music of renewed hope and second chances.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Christian, Contemporary

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2004

About the author

Robert Elmer is the author of more than fifty books, including contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience, nonfiction devotionals like Piercing Heaven and Fount of Heaven (Lexham Press), and seven series for younger readers. Among kids, he is best known for his historicals such as the Young Underground, Adventures Down Under, Life Behind the Wall, and Promise of Zion books. When he's not at the keyboard, he enjoys beachcombing and travel with his wife, and spending time with their three kids and families.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly lightweight and unexciting, but good for what it is.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Horton, a piano teacher from the East Coast, takes a year-long sabbitacal in Washington State where she meets widower, Gerrit Appeldoorn, who has as many sorrows as she does. Interesting look at the Calvinistic faith.

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too predictable and really slow. The religious theme was way overdone.

[Judith Cowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story about a relationship between an older (50-60) couple. Interesting setting in a small town where most of the people are descended from Dutch immigrants and the town bears a large imprint from that. Interesting details about farming. Themes of faith and trusting God, as well as seeing other perspectives.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I picked out because it had to do with music, specifically piano. This one was much better than that last one!
Sweet little story about a widowed piano teacher meeting a widowed farmer and falling in love at piano lessons.

[GWEN WATSON · Rating 4 out of 5]

most enjoyable

[Michaela Derickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randomly jumps time frames without telling you the time switches

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts[return]Joan has temporarily moved to Van Doren, Washington while on sabbatical from the college where she is a music professor. While there she attempts to fit into the tightly knit Dutch reformed committee and teached piano lessons. She has one student who seems hopeless--but that student's grandfather Gerrit shows a surprising talent. Will she be able to coax him into taking lessons? Does he have his eye on more than using music? And will Joan be able to cope with her family problems as well as Gerrit's bad heart and struggle to keep the family farm?[return][return][return]Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.[return]A sweet romance focusing on interpersonal relationships. The characters are real, though an inordinate number of crisises occur to add drama. Joan's faith struggles add a deeper touch, and the scenes where both she and Gerritt learn a lot from each others churches make a good point. And it's always nice to have a romance featuring an older couple without glamour and heartstopping looks. [return][return][return]How Good is it?[return]A sweet, mellow romance, without the emphasis on superficial appearances.

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When widower Gerrit Appeldoorn takes his granddaughter to piano lessons one day, he finds himself drawn to her music teacher: a woman unlike any he has known. It’s an unlikely attraction. He’s a retired dairyman with mud on his boots; Joan Horton is a world traveler and former piano instructor at New York’s most prestigious academy of music. Not quite “beauty and the beast,” but close. Even so, Gerrit slowly begins to open his heart: to Joan, to music, to the possibilities that may be found in both. Yet as their relationship deepens, Gerrit faces crises concerning his family and farm, while Joan confronts a dark secret that threatens her future. While coping with these challenges, neither can predict how their duet will sound as they practice the music of renewed hope and second chances."

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for its humor, interesting characters, and talk about music and pianos (I'm an amateur pianist, myself). It was a charming book, and, though it wasn't action-packed, I could hardly put it down. There was, unusually enough, a discussion about Calvinism vs. Arminianism. The Calvinist side wasn't given all the good arguments it could have had (you can see what side I'm coming from), but overall it was a good book.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of an older gentleman and a lady and how a friendship blossoms when he starts to take piano lessons. My favorite part of this story is the piano lesson parts...only because I have been a piano teacher and also play the piano. The farmer has to give up what he loves, and the lady has to realize her heart is with the farmer.

[Elaine B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humor in this book was nice. A great read if you have a Dutch background. I especially liked the scene where they were testing out each other's church service...shouldn't we all be doing that once in a while?

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really soft and small book with a grand story. It's doesn't make too much noise, but you'll remember it like a pleasant childhood memory.

[Randy Alcorn]

Robert Elmer’s The Duet is a charming love story in which backgrounds and traditions clash. If you love music, nostalgia or a rural setting, this heartwarming novel is for you.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute dutch story that I keep checking out on accident so not very memorable

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, clean story leading into a romantic relationship between a widow and widower. I enjoyed.

[Kim Faires · Rating 2 out of 5]

O.K. Quick read

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading romance.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about an older man and woman who meet over piano lessons.