Helpful Score: 6
I just read this book today - and it's a remarkably smooth, comfortable read. While I didn't feel like I couldn't put it down when I had other things to do, I also felt drawn, and almost compelled to finish it the same day I picked it up. Perhaps it's because the pages fly by so unnoticably that you're 150 pages into it, and you figure you should be able to finish the last 134 too!
Anyway, like I mentioned, Salzman creates a comfortable, easy-going text, although I wasn't overly comfortable with the main character. I couldn't tell whether I liked him or not, but that didn't seem to matter. Having been a child prodigy, and remaining a 36-year-old virgin puts him outside the realm of most of our experiences, but I felt almost a sense of pity for him, that allowed me to remain involved in the book. The more I read though, the less pity I felt, and the more interested I became. I could see what was happening to him, and I did sympathize for him during the jury deliberations - questions of moral justice are difficult to come to terms with.
Anyway, like I mentioned, Salzman creates a comfortable, easy-going text, although I wasn't overly comfortable with the main character. I couldn't tell whether I liked him or not, but that didn't seem to matter. Having been a child prodigy, and remaining a 36-year-old virgin puts him outside the realm of most of our experiences, but I felt almost a sense of pity for him, that allowed me to remain involved in the book. The more I read though, the less pity I felt, and the more interested I became. I could see what was happening to him, and I did sympathize for him during the jury deliberations - questions of moral justice are difficult to come to terms with.
Helpful Score: 1
Exquisite novel about the interesting story of a musician\'s life
The protagonist relives his passion for cello when he tutors a young Korean player, while exploring the moral dilemma as a holdout juror at a murder trial. Lots of interesting perspectives and excellent character development. Highly recommended. BTW the author is himself a cellist, lending much realism to the book.
This book by Mark Salzman is about a season in the life of a grown-up child music prodigy. Reinhart is an obsessive controlled cellist who struggles with his gift. His psychological state prevents him from achieving what he believes he needs to be successful. However, Mr. Salzman has written a very sensitive, believable character who is given some challenging life circumstances that propel him to seek his own truth about who he really is. I loved this book and would recommend it highly.
I searched the book because I watched a movie called The Soloist with Robert Downey Jr. and it was about a cellist also. However I remain confused because the only things in common between the movie and this book are the title and the musical instrument of the protagonist. Well, maybe there are deeper similarities but no circumstances are alike.
Would anyone like to comment about this?
I searched the book because I watched a movie called The Soloist with Robert Downey Jr. and it was about a cellist also. However I remain confused because the only things in common between the movie and this book are the title and the musical instrument of the protagonist. Well, maybe there are deeper similarities but no circumstances are alike.
Would anyone like to comment about this?
Really excellent book. Quiet and deep. It held my interest and described the main character and other characters with details that felt very authentic and true-to-life. The subject matter was not your usual, which made it that much more engaging. I really loved it.
