Sandra Stevenson's Reviews > Above Parr: Memoir of a Child Prodigy

When I was about 6 years old, my parents took me to see "Patsy Parr" - the musical child prodigy who'd made all the papers - play at Varsity Arena. Everyone was fascinated with her, including my parents. Sitting at the piano in our living room, I can recall my mother saying that if I kept practicing, I could become "the next Patsy Parr." I liked the idea, so I cut her photo out of Maclean's Magazine and put it on my bedroom wall. That was probably 1948.

Cut to 2017. My husband and I are attending a concert at Roy Thompson Hall - there, in the gift shop, I spot a copy of Patricia Parr's memoir. On the cover is the very same photograph that hung on my bedroom wall.

I read Patricia's heartfelt memoir in an afternoon, while listening to the wonderful CD attachment. In fact, the book even situates the pieces in Patricia's life - in many cases, telling the stories behind the recordings, both personal and professional. I enjoyed having a glimpse into her life and learning more about her; about what it was like growing up with everyone watching her - particularly her mother, who was determined to steer her only daughter towards fame and glory.

In the end, it was by rejecting her mother's dream that she came into her own as an artist, and as a person. This is a good narrative - and not just because it's true!