To appreciate this book you have to think and see the world through music. I tend more toward the visual arts. I THOUGHT this book would be much more about the French people and their culture. I thought it would be more biographical. Instead, it is about music. I have a friend who is very talented in music and she plays the piano. It IS what she does. She teaches and gives concerts. Her husband too. She has perfect pitch - a gift that allows one to "produce and name a note, any note, from a void". People who can do this see the world differently. I guess I should say HEAR the world. They hear the world around them rather than seeing it. The piano is her life. It is so central nothing else comes close. This book is for such a person - not me! You have to love pianos. You have to feel as if they are a part of your own body when you are playing them. My friend feels this way..... I wish I did, but I don't. I played the piano as a kid and I hated it. I convinced myself I didn't even like the sound of a piano. I wish I could be so blown over by pianos. If you are one of those people I think you will give this book 5 stars. There were parts that I liked very much; for example a discussion of why people play the piano. Is it for themselves - because it makes them happy or is it to be heard by others. The author played for himself, and that was great!
Chrissie's Books
My favorite books are biographies, memoirs, non-fiction and of course fiction too! I adore learning about different cultures. Books and dogs - they are the best.
To appreciate this book you have to think and see the world through music. I tend more toward the visual arts. I THOUGHT this book would be much more about the French people and their culture. I thought it would be more biographical. Instead, it is about music. I have a friend who is very talented in music and she plays the piano. It IS what she does. She teaches and gives concerts. Her husband too. She has perfect pitch - a gift that allows one to "produce and name a note, any note, from a void". People who can do this see the world differently. I guess I should say HEAR the world. They hear the world around them rather than seeing it. The piano is her life. It is so central nothing else comes close. This book is for such a person - not me! You have to love pianos. You have to feel as if they are a part of your own body when you are playing them. My friend feels this way..... I wish I did, but I don't. I played the piano as a kid and I hated it. I convinced myself I didn't even like the sound of a piano. I wish I could be so blown over by pianos. If you are one of those people I think you will give this book 5 stars. There were parts that I liked very much; for example a discussion of why people play the piano. Is it for themselves - because it makes them happy or is it to be heard by others. The author played for himself, and that was great!
Currently reading
Franklin and Lucy: President Roosevelt, Mrs. Rutherfurd, and the Other Remarkable Women in His Life
World of Our Fathers: The Journey of the East European Jews to America and the Life They Found and Made
