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Book Review of La's Orchestra Saves the World

La's Orchestra Saves the World
reviewed on + 1437 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


I quite like the calm, cozy reads that this author provides me. Even this one about La (for Lavender) Ferguson Stone and her life from living on the hill before college until age 50. La is not really as interested in marriage as she is in learning. She loves music, too.

When she meets Richard he falls in love and wants to marry after a few months. Did she love him? Probably not but she marries him anyway. He doesn't want her to work because he has plenty of money and, after all, she will have to take care of the children. But when the children don't come she sees a doctor who tells her that she cannot have any. We're enough for each other says Richard. La has grown used to him and fallen in love with him when one day his father appears. Richard is gone - off to live with another woman. She is hurt but realizes that they must divorce. Before that can occur, Richard is critically injured in an accident.

La's life as a widow begins. She leaves London to live in the country and WWII becomes apparent. La makes new friends and volunteers to help in the war effort, caring for a farmer's chickens. When a Polish man is placed to help the farmer, too, La feels attracted to him. And, she helps with morale by creating an orchestra composed of men from the military base nearby and residents of the area. Life moves on and so does her Polish friend. The rest of the read is devoted to what happens to La from that point. And, while the ending is predictable it is a charming and relaxing read.