My experience reading The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny inspired me to look for more books where music plays a key role. I came up with the following five. I’ve read three of them Vikram Seth, Shaffer and Szpillman and am contemplating making a start on The Piano Teacher soon. Anyone have other suggestions for good musical themed books?
An Equal Music by Vikram Seth
A tremendous novel about gifted violinist cannot forget the equally gifted pianist that he loved but lost 10 years earlier. Then she unexpectedly reappears and the romance is rekindled. Against the backdrop of Venice and Vienna, they confront the truth about their relationship and music.
A play which was later turned into a superb film about Mozart’s life and the bitterness felt by his rival Antonio Salieri. Why did God give this uncouth youth such an extraordinary talent, is what Salieri cannot understand. He plots the downfall of his rival. Read it while listening to get the full impact.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
A world-renowned soprano sings at a birthday party in honor of a visiting Japanese industrial titan to an unamed South American nation that hoped he will build a factory in their locale. Unfortunately terrorists arrive and take all the guests prisoners. The only common language between them is music.
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee
Martin and Claire are a couple of newlyweds who arrive in Hong Kong. He works for the British government and she teaches piano to the daughter of a wealthy Chinese family. Claire begins an affair with the family’s chauffeur, whose imprisonment during the Japanese occupation still haunts him.
The Pianist by Władysław Szpilman
This is the autobiography of the pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman who is trapped in Warsaw during the German invasion of Poland. As a Jew, he is moved to the ghetto with his family with the unbelievable hardship and cruelty that entails. He eventually escapes but then has to survive on his own wits, hoping that he can stay alive long enough to see the end of the war.