Customer Reviews

Glass Harmonica

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is an excellent, dreamy science fantasy work by a great author. She weaves two parallel story lines across two and a half centuries and creates each world wonderfully. She also integrates historical figures, such as Ben Franklin and Mozart, into the storyline deftly. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction or fantasy, and anyone who enjoys this book should enjoy all of her previous works.

I would really give this three or three-and-a-half stars, but I am inclined to be generous because it is clearly well-researched and also well-written.

Marley has written a knowledgeable and sensitive book about two musicians living 250 years apart. Eilish Eam is an orphaned street player who attracts the attentions of Benjamin Franklin while Erin Rushton is a famous glass harmonica player based in Seattle of the early 20th century. Their presence somehow comforts each other across the ages and Erin learns an important lesson about her own life and the purpose of her art.

The problem with the novel is that there simply is not enough there there. While Eam's world is incredibly detailed, Erin's is only hinted at. It is obviously quite different from our world in 2003, but exactly how is never made clear. I realize that the focus was meant to be on Eam. However, since Marley chose to structure the plot around Erin, I felt that she should have also given Erin more focus. The key decisions in the book rested on Erin, but I knew very little about her motivations. As a result, the ending felt a little unearned.

That said, the book was good enough that it made me want to try other books that Marley wrote. She writes about 18th century London in a way that felt both sharp and real. I also enjoyed reading it-- it kept me going and interested. Promising signs pointing towards a writer whose other works I might enjoy more.

Louise Marley has proven herself again! An author who has established herself in the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Marley has now added a touch of historical fiction to the mix. The Glass Harmonica combines an expertise in music and medicine with future and past worlds that are meticulously developed. The two characters, Eilish and Erin, are compelling...and the addition of real historical characters such as Ben Franklin and Mozart makes this a convincing and insistant read. Brava!

Louise Marley's novel tells two parallel stories. One begins in 1761 and concerns a young orphan named Eilish Eam, who earns her keep by playing music on water-filled glasses for passersby on the streets of one of London's poorer districts, until she is discovered by Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Impressed with her talent, he offers her a proper place to stay in exchange for her services in developing and playing his own similar invention, which he calls his glass armonica.

The other, which occurs in 2018, follows Erin Rushton, a professional musician whose specialty is an instrument that evolved from Franklin's original device. Erin's brother, the composer of much of her repertoire, is undergoing experimental sound therapy to correct a neurological disorder, and her glass harmonica may provide the key.

The tales run concurrently in roughly alternating chapters, converging when each character glimpses or feels the ghostly presence of the other. Erin wonders if she is losing her mind, since the harmonica is rumored to induce madness in sensitive individuals. She also finds herself becoming romantically involved with her brother's doctor.

THE GLASS HARMONICA is an uncommon mix of historical fantasy and science fiction drama. I found the chapters set in the past more interesting, and it seems that the author may have as well; Eilish's world is described in rich detail while Erin's feels slightly underdeveloped. I'm not sure that setting the latter in the future was necessary at all. Most of the technological advances are superficial, and the relevant ones could have easily been worked into the present day.

While the story is not quite complex enough to warrant the book's page count, and the ending is somewhat contrived, I was thoroughly absorbed in the tale. I recommend it especially if music and musicians are one of your literary fetishes.

I bought this book because it won the Endeavour Award, and also because I'm interested in Ben Franklin. I loved this book! Historical detail, interesting scientific speculation, vivid characterization, and clear writing. Really a great read.

I loved this little book. It had some bit of good history to it also. Louise Marley really drew her characters well. I liked the way she presented Benjamin Franklin. As I would read the words, I could actually smell the scents in both the past and the future with her writing. This book drew me in & took me for a trip. The theme of music helping to heal is an interesting & thought provoking one. I will be reading the other books by Louise Marley.

This story intrigues with its portrayal of the power of music and human longing. I love a book that moves me, and Marley's, as usual, does. This story is both sweet and sharp, giving an unflinching glimpse at exploitation and privilege, including a courageously mixed view of Benjamin Franklin. Check out Terrorists of Irustan for another great Marley read.

Erin Rushton has the perfect life in the world of 2018: friends, a loving brother, a very successful job as a world famous musician, and the glass harmonica, an instrument rarely played in a typical orchestra. However, now as her brother's mental disorder takes a turn for the worst, the child prodigy begins to see the visions of a little girl, much like herself, more often...too often to the liking of her sanity. Her instrument has a rumored reputation of ultimately killing its artists. Even if the great Erin doesn't believe in the ridiculous tale, she can't help but wonder if her precious glass harmonica is actually driving her over the edge.

Centuries earlier, in 1761 London, Eilish Eam, a peasant orphan, is forced to make a living by sitting on the cold street corner before sunrise, playing her oddly enchanting water-filled glasses until her young twelve year old fingers become cold and sore. With almost nothing, Eilish returns tot eh rough Seven Dials into the home of Dooya and her sweet, young crippled son Mackie. This was the girl's everyday routine until the fateful morning an old colonist inventor by the name of Franklin stops to listen to her bewitching melodies. The glass harmonica never ceases to amaze these two troubled girls, and even plays a part in saving a life, as it can do nothing to prevent a wanted death. Louise Marley tells of these brilliant stories in the future classic The Glass Harmonica.

The author works in down points in both Erin and Eilish's lives. Erin's equally talented twin, Charlie, has been suffering from Friedreich's Ataxia since he was eight, disabling the use of his legs, but thanks to an engineered virus injected into his body, the ataxia was ceased. In Erin's opinion, the ataxia had not weakened him, but enhanced his mind as an orchestra conductor. Over the years, his desire to fit in with others and actually have the ability to walk has grown, driving him to try risky, and even life threatening procedures and programs. His latest attempt is working with Dr. Eugene Berrick, a fresh doctor using binaural beats to create new pathways in Charlie's brain. He believes if they succeed, Charlie's commands can have an optional route to travel through the nerves. The worried Erin can't help but mistrust the stranger, yet slowly fall in love with his untypical personality.

As Erin deals with her brother's outrageous efforts, Eilish can barely stand to live with herself knowing she has no power over Mackie's living conditions with his constantly drunk mother, which are worsened by his cripple. One night after Eilish left to live with Benjamin Franklin and work on his glass harmonica, or armonica, Dooya is stabbed to death in the streets, leaving Mackie to live with an already overcrowded foster family. In order for them to keep him in their house, Eilish grants them exquisite food and small sums of change in the Franklin home, plenty for the peasant household. Eilish falls very ill, but when word of Mackie's tragic fall of death in a chimney during a job reaches her, it further weakens Eilish, eventually leading to the inevitable death of the Irish orphan that even the armonica couldn't prevent. Before, the dark angel takes her, a relaxed, happy Eilish sees a healthy, perfect-legged Mackie run into her arms in a patch of field.

The conclusion linking the almost parallel lives is remarkable and very clever unlike any book I've ever read. Finally giving into her realistic visions of the mysterious girl, Erin returns to London. On her way to the street corner where the ghost was most life-like, a curator form the Benjamin Franklin house in London practically begs her to play at a gathering. That very night as her delicate fingers touch the ancient edges of the original glass harmonica, the spirit of the little girl takes a seat right next to her, mimicking Erin's movements while repeating the phrase: Tis like that, my little instrument. The saying made Erin realize the sounds of her instrument could save Charlie from the sudden blindness caused by the treatment. What really saddens the performer is that she also knows the unidentified bones found under the museum belonged to the spirit and that the original player of the first glass harmonica would forever be unknown.

This book takes a spin on the classic science fiction story, adding elements of tragedy, historical facts, and a bit of romance, making it one of the best science fiction out there.

R. Turner

Opera singer Louise Marley is surely one of the most unique new voices I have encountered in the realm of science fiction and fantasy. Her novel "The Glass Harmonica", is a dazzling mix of historical fantasy with borderline cyberpunk science fiction. Her tale is a fascinating look at music from the viewpoints of two women - born centuries apart - consumed by their love of music and whose apparitions demonstrate to each other the important healing power of music. In 1761 London, Eilish Eam is an Irish orphan and street musician whose chance encounter with Benjamin Franklin earns her unexpected patronage and interest in her lyrical playing of the glass armonica. In 2018 Seattle, Erin Rushton is a famous classical musician and the world's foremost soloist of the glass harmonica. Her brother Charlie, crippled since childhood, is a distinguished classical composer. Tormented by her brother's health, she soon meets the ghostly wraith-like figure of a young girl who shares her passion for the glass harmonica. Marley is a spellbinding storyteller with a fine gift for creating interesting characters such as Eilish, Sarah, Charlie, and Gene Berrick, the young doctor who tries an unorthodox treatment for Charlie's injuries. Anyone who loves music, historical fiction and fantasy will find much to enjoy in Marley's novel.

This book, written in Louise Marley's impeccable style, is a lovely tale of mystery, musical history, family responsibility and romance Two young girls both of exceptional talent are connected across time by the instrument called "glass armonica". One girl lives in the 21st century and one in the l9th century. Each has the responsibility of a young brother. The story involves the strong emotional ties to their music and to their brothers which draws them to communicate across the years. Ms. Marley has researched carefully the history of the glass harmonica and Benjamin Franklin's part in developing the instrument This is a lovely book for ages l5 and up . Tuck it into your bag to take along on your next trip. You won't regret it.