Sarah McNally's Reviews > Above Parr: Memoir of a Child Prodigy

Patricia Parr has had an extraordinary musical career. Surviving a prodigious childhood; crippling stage anxiety; sexism throughout her career; the life of a single, working mother, raising two boys all while pursuing a career in chamber performance — this is enough to make anyone's toes curl.

While I did find the beginning of the book more interesting than the second half — particularly as it was the "child prodigy" dimension of the book that caught my attention — I enjoyed reading about how her life unfolded post-adolescence. Throughout her life, she struggled to maintain a balance between what she wanted and what was expected of her as a woman — something most, if not all women can relate to.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in the canons of classical music, even if you aren't especially familiar with the sub genres contained therein. The book is accessible and gives great insight into what the world of classical music — and the mind of a great musician — is really like.