"Music is dearer to me even than speech"
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... explains Vikram Seth in the "Author's note" to this engrossing novel. His intimate connection to music and the process of bringing it to life is palpable throughout the book. The story closely follows the ups and downs in the life of violinist Michael Holme and, to a lesser degree, that of the mysterious pianist Julia McNicholl. What makes the story move far beyond a romantic novel is Seth's ability to convey the deep significance of chamber music by no lesser composers than Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Schubert for his characters' psyche and everyday lives. You don't have to be knowledgeable about the music to feel absorbed by this rich, complex and intimate love story. *)
The story, told through Michael's eyes, is mostly set in north London, where he has found refuge after fleeing Vienna, the town of his professional training. Ten years have passed but his musings keep returning to events in Vienna: self-doubts in his talent as a soloist, amplified by the demands of an exacting, overbearing teacher, had resulted in a complete breakdown. His abrupt departure left Julia, his love, music partner and muse, without a word of explanation or good bye. As he slowly recovered, he tried to reconnect with her, wrote, contacted her father, only to meet a wall of silence. Seth's depiction of Michael's continuing emotional immaturity, his increasing despair at having lost what he now recognizes as his great love reveals the fragility of a character where musical brilliance and human weaknesses are interdependent. His solo career seemingly over, Michael joins the Maggiore Quartet as second violin. While in many ways a close knit group - the "family" gives his life the needed structure and support - it also is the source of inter-personal rivalries. The tensions, creative or destructive, between the quartet members are perceptively explored and the reader can appreciate the complex personalities of highly creative and sensitive virtuosi, whose captivating performances we tend to take for granted. Nonetheless, playing together, following the structural and harmonious intricacies of each composition, whether as duo, trio or quartet, overcomes any such impediments and leads to a level of intimacy and understanding that goes beyond speech. Getting into Michael's head with great skill, Seth creates a complex but believable character whose actions are often more the result of deeply felt emotions than rational analysis. To complement his protagonist's musings on his chamber musician colleagues and friends, and, of course, Julia, Seth turns to extensive passages of direct dialogue, thus energizing the narrative flow.
Michael's precious violin, an early 18th century Tononi, occupies one of the central themes in the narrative. It is another love affair of sorts and one he cannot abandon without losing his identity. Seth, well known also as a poet, finds the right lyrical tone when describing Michael's interaction with his violin, complementing the moods created by the music he plays or listens to. The violin, however, is only a long term loan from his violinist neighbour and music teacher in his home town in Northern England. She "discovered" and nurtured his talent from an early age and he keeps returning to her regularly for companionship and solace. Michael's family, while sympathetic, had no resources to support his ambitions. Seth very delicately raises the issues of family tensions, class and education as he contrasts Michael's upbringing with that of Julia, privileged daughter of an Oxford professor. Despite their differences, music can bridge any differences and misunderstandings between them.
It wouldn't be much of a story, if the former lovers were not to meet again... The romantic settings in Vienna and Venice add a beautiful and vivid backdrop to the concert tour by the Quartet. Those who have read the various reviews and book blurbs will no doubt know the main elements of the plot, unfortunately. I was cautioned by a friend not to read those and consequently explored the slow revelation of key events and secrets carried, with great pleasure. Seth has a wonderful sensitive touch in his exploration of the challenges faced by Michael and, in particular, Julia. This gives special depth to the story and take it beyond what one could have expected. [Friederike Knabe]
*) It is worthwhile exploring the music while reading or listening to it later on the companion CD An Equal Music (CD).
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Moving and fast moving
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An easy book to read as the plot flies along, the characters are very well drawn, the dialogue is good and the sense of yearning from the main protagonist is well drawn.
A love affair that ended abruptly without as the Americans say 'closure'. Both parties remain hurt, still in love with each other but dealing with the extenuating circumstances that crash into everyone's lives and pull them off in different directions. For the main protagonist the book relates the story of a crisis year in his life both in his professional life as a muscian and his love life.
It is extremely well written and very moving at the end as you feel for poor Michael who struggles to withstand the neverending pounding that just being alive can give you. Also if you love classical music the extra dimension this brings is a joy. Not quite great literature but in that territory.
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Not for everyone - but definitely for me
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There are two kinds of people in the world: those who tend to fall in love Hollywood-style (experiencing head over heels, all-consuming, passionate, exclusive, obsessive love - often illogical and regardless of whether that love is reciprocated) and those who do not.
Michael Holme, the main character and the narrator of Seth's novel, falls into the former category. If you do too, the chances are that you'll empathise with him. If you fall into the latter category and believe that the whole idea of "falling in love" is severely overrated or even simply fictitious, I suspect you'll agree with those reviewers who describe him as a whiner, as self-centred, as melodramatic.
Perhaps Michael Holme is all of those things, but I understand exactly where he's coming from; this, to me, makes Seth's protagonist (with all his flaws) both credible and human. Throughout the book, Seth's beautifully written prose really made me feel Michael's joy and his pain. I smiled and cried over this book in the works' canteen - but I was so gripped that not reading at lunchtime just wasn't an option.
I felt the book was a little slow to get started but I was soon under its spell. This is a story about loss and love of many kinds and for different people, things and places. The plot was believable, I loved the music within it and I could sympathise with the two main characters. It would have been easy for the author to have written a trite ending to the story or a tragic end for the character, but I was relieved that he did neither. I adored this novel. The characters and story resonated as readily with me as my instrument does with Bach's Cello Suites.
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A good book with good moments
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I'm never one for a stereotypical love story, preferring more challenging takes on the subject (The Time Traveller's Wife for example), and I'm pleased to say that this book was one of of those more challenging attempts. What is excellent about this book are the smooth, almost imperceptible transitions between the love side of the story and the musical side of the story. Being from a musical background, and in fact working in one of the music shops mentioned in the book, I found the first half of the book fascinating. The third quarter didn't grip me as much, but by the end of the book, I couldn't wait to see how everything would end. I would recommend reading this book - the story is excellent, but its real strength comes in stirring up genuine emotions inside you.
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An excellent read
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Perhaps I don't read enough, but I found this book to be an excellent read. I thought it caught the dynamics between a small group of musicians very well and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
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