Jonathan Nizol's Reviews > Above Parr: Memoir of a Child Prodigy

I found this book over NetGalley. Although I'm not tremendously interested in classical music - I'm primarily a jazz fan - the cover and topic both appealed to me. "Child prodigies," how interesting!

The book is accessible and entertaining. Musical child prodigies often suffer neglect at the hands of their parents - and the author was no exception. I found the early chapters on her privileged, but emotionally unsupportive upbringing, both heart breaking and awe-inspiring. Somehow, despite all the pressure, and isolation, and being shipped away to study the piano at the famed Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, she emerged not only a world-class musician but a more fully formed and well-adjusted person.

In the Toronto music world, the name "Patricia Parr" is practically a household name - especially for those who grew up attending concerts at the Royal Conservatory, Massy Hall, and Varsity Arena. But I had no idea she'd endured so much on the way to becoming Canada's premiere chamber music pianist. Hers is the rarest of prodigy stories - one with a happy ending (spoiler alert!). I particularly enjoyed the epilogue.