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Title
Author
Publisher
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An Equal
Music
Vikram
Seth
Phoenix Press
Fiction-Net
Rating 
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Cover
Story
A chance sighting
on a bus; a letter which should never have been
read; a pianist with a secret that touches the
heart of her music…An Equal Music is a book
about love, about the love of a woman lost and
found and lost again; it is a book about music and
how the love of music can run like a passionate
fugue through a life. It is the story of Michael,
of Julia and the love that binds them.
We
Say
Clearly, this
book has an inextricable relationship with music
and much has been said about the fact that this is
its greatest strength. It is not only about music
but even reads like a perfectly structured symphony
or song. There are times when it meanders slowly,
building images and events gently and thoughtfully.
Then it builds to the most moving moments which
feel exactly like hearing a favourite song or
melody and the hairs on the back of the neck
prickle with anticipation.
Seth's research
for this novel must have been thorough as the world
of the classical musician on the concert circuit is
presented in great detail. Even the technical
difficulties of a string quartet playing certain
pieces are explored in depth; such as the need to
tune down a viola several tones in order to play
"The Art of Fugue". Some readers may find this a
little tedious or difficult to relate to but it can
be seen as an important part of the backdrop in
which the difficulties of creating beauty in music
are mirrored in trying to find beauty and
perfection in life.
An Equal Music is
a sad story, which could be totally depressing if
it weren't so beautiful and true. Vikram Seth is
able to write with a sense of poetry, which again,
is almost musical to read. However, it is not too
flowery and the way in which the characters feel
and react to one another is convincing, direct and
clear. The central character, Michael, has complex
relationships with several people including former
love Julia, his father and his colleagues in the
string quartet. These are all developed in an
insightful and intriguing way with are surprises
and twists to keep you hooked. It builds to a
wonderful conclusion where the settings are Vienna
and then Venice, perfect for romance or
heartbreak.
Review by: Rachel
Taylor
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