An Equal Music in Around the World in 80 Books

Jun 18, 2018 Ra rated it liked it · review of another edition

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Music is one of the main characters in this novel. It is the connection that runs through the protagonists' life. Sometimes it brings them together, and other times it tears them apart.

Michael Holme is a violinist in a quartet of chamber music. Music is central in his life. In fact it was the one influence that uplifted him from his working class background in Rochdale near Manchester. Yet although quite accomplished as a musician in London, his beloved violin is still one he borrowed from an e Music is one of the main characters in this novel. It is the connection that runs through the protagonists' life. Sometimes it brings them together, and other times it tears them apart.

Michael Holme is a violinist in a quartet of chamber music. Music is central in his life. In fact it was the one influence that uplifted him from his working class background in Rochdale near Manchester. Yet although quite accomplished as a musician in London, his beloved violin is still one he borrowed from an elderly violinist in his hometown, the woman who nurtured his love and talent for music. Now his life revolves around recreating and re-interpreting classical music with his quartet. And he helps finance his artist's life with the "mutual drudgery" of teaching the violin to an array of students with varied degrees of dedication. The inward and outward order of his life is suddenly brought into chaos after a chance meeting with Julia, the lover he never managed to forget.

The writers describes the emotional journey Michael takes in the space between the absence and resurrection of love, and how this emotional journey exacts a great toll on his career and life.

I enjoyed the treatment of the universal themes of love and loss through the prism of a musician's life. Michael, and to some extent the other musical characters, are naturally intense and they express feelings through their performances, and interactions with each other, and the world. Micheal is hugely flawed and selfish, but his emotions and responses are believable.

Also interesting are the small insights into the chamber music scene. I learned for example, about the unique bond between the musician and his or her instrument. The special piece becomes closer than a lover, and an extension of the self. This bond can sometime become a destructive obsession, as in a scene where two musicians tried to outbid each other on a violin they both coveted. Michael makes for an interesting guide into this whole scene. Because of his background, he was not born into a privileged background that allowed him to enjoy music, he rather met his musical destiny through his elderly friend Mrs. Formby, and his relationship with the art remains one of wonder and discovery. When I got to know him in the novel, I felt that he was still not fully comfortable in his place in this world, as if he expects that his acquired privilege will be taken from him at some time.

This is a bittersweet story of love, loss and redemption, that will speak to human feelings, and sensitivities, not recommended to those who like a roller coaster ride of non-stop action. ...more

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