Helpful Score: 1
Read this as a Group read which enhanced the pleasure of the book greatly. The story is like riding a rollercoaster - some humorous and some sad parts. Characters are unique and unforgettable. Great music references throughout. Well-written and a great sense of atmosphere. I'm glad things ended on a good note. Great book for those who like music with a little romance. Book would make a great movie. Read this one if you like a change from your normal genre. You may like different!
This story grabbed me immediately and never let go. It is gorgeous in so many ways - in the dialogue, the descriptions of the feelings of characters, the portrayal of the importance of music in our lives, it is hard to even describe all of the ways this book affected me. I wanted so badly to go visit the shop and have Frank tell me which record I needed. I adored the way Frank would pull albums of entirely different genres and relate them to each other. What a wonderful talent. It made me crazy when he and Ilsa kept misunderstanding each other, and I felt the pain of each of their unrequited loves. I listened to the audiobook, which I recommend highly due to the skilled narration and the various lovely accents. I think this is a book I will give as a gift many times.
One of the reviewers on Amazon said "The combined being of this book, every page, every word, every character, every bit of it has stored itself inside my heart. It has also opened my ears to listening to music in the way Frank expresses it. This book can seriously change your life."
One of the reviewers on Amazon said "The combined being of this book, every page, every word, every character, every bit of it has stored itself inside my heart. It has also opened my ears to listening to music in the way Frank expresses it. This book can seriously change your life."
I loved this book SO much. I sent it to my sister, who is a musician, and she is donating it to her public library in Vermont. I usually repost books I find on swap, but this was a no brainer. Do read it if you can find it. Chris
#TheMusicShop by Rachel Joyce picks up on a formula often used in books. A shopkeeper with a special ability to find just the right thing for their customer slowly, in solving the concerns of other, manages to find their own path forward. Overall, the stories are feel good reads. The biggest "if" of the stories is the reader's ability to believe. Unfortunately for me, I never quite buy into the characters or this story.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018/02/the-music-shop.html
Reviewed for #NetGalley
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2018/02/the-music-shop.html
Reviewed for #NetGalley
1980's London. music store owner Frank is determined to sell nothing buy vinyl even though CD's are the new trend. He has a special gift of being able to recommend music to people that, by listening to it, helps them solve a problem or makes them happy. His store is located on a downtrodden street with various other small shop owners who are all quirky in their own way. And he meets Ilse and they fall in love. But Frank has a troubled past with an unconventional upbringing, the developers want to buy up the street, and he and Ilse can't figure out a way to make it work. The book dragged a little in the middle but found new life when it picked up 21 years later in 2009. Tears came to my eyes when they were all singing Handel's Messiah in the mall. Happy ending.
