Customer Reviews

Midnight Hour Encores

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had to read this book as an English assignment and to tell you the truth I thought it was going to suck. But, when I read the first paragraph, I had the sudden feeling that this book was going to be different. I took it home and read and read. I couldn't seem to put it down. I immediately fell in love with Sib and the way she looked at things in her life. She has alot of character and looks at the world the same way an intelligent 16 year old does (trust me I know this since I too am 16). She reminded me of myself in a way. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. I am even planning on reading it again. It was great!

Midnight Hour Encores is one of those rare books that can keep the reader captivated for hours on end. I have read this book 4 times, and each time it holds a new excitment and discovery. Being a young female violinist that most people regard as a very unusual musician I really came to an understanding with the sarcastic Sibilance. I would recommend this book to anyone, not just young adults.

P.S. My mother read this book and instantly fell in love

I thought it was one of the greatest story I've ever read.Although I don't play cello myself, I play a string instrument and was delighted at sib's personality.

Sibilance T. Spooner is not your ordinary seventeen year old. She is known all over the world as being one of the best cellists of her time. Her father, Taxi, is a single parent trying to raise a teenage girl all by himself. In a quest to find herself as well as her mother, Taxi and Sib embark on a cross-country trip that leads to the past, and helps Sib find her way through the future. With the feeling of unsatisfaction in her life, Sib feels that she needs to be on her own to make her own decisions for once. And even though her mother may be a Porsche, she finds her way back to the Volkswagon bus that is her father.

Midnight Hour Encores is an excellent story about a teenage cellist, Sibilance. Abandoned by her mother at a young age, she and her father, Taxi, have been doing just fine for many years. But when Sibilance decides that she wants to meet her mother, they embark on a journey across the country. Not knowing what they will find, Taxi spends the trip trying to explain things he doesn't know himself. This book has an excellent plot and fascinating characters, but is definitely more enjoyable to people who have an appreciation and understanding of music and musical terms.

-LJ

I first read this book about a year ago, and I was really surprised. I've been playing the cello for 6 years now, and I love reading books about fictional cellists. However, most of the stories about girl cellists are REALLY bad, so I didn't hold out much hope for this book. By the second chapter, though, I really liked this book. I hope whoever reads this will enjoy the book as much as I did.

This is my favorite book. I absolutely love it. I first read it when I was 15. I am a pianist and I really connected with Sib. Also, her relationship with her father reminded me a lot of mine with my own father. I made him read this book as well and he loved it too. I'm in my mid 20's now, and still definitely consider it to be one to read over and over again.

A novel of family, fun, bonding and discovery set in the 21st century in the United States. The story's
narration from a 16 year old girl named Sib, helps to capture first hand experience of a mission to find truth
in a life that broke very early on while sharing it with her father. Sarcasm, music and adventure mix to
create an experience and story for any daddy's girl. Recommended age 16 and up due to mature themes and
understanding.

This is not a very difficult read. The story does, however, require a good understanding of personality in
order to pick up on the true essence of Sib and her sarcastic nature. Brooks' writing is very comical and
interesting, making sure for there to be an entertaining story or reference every chance possible. Throughout
the story, the reader gets an inside look into a music prodigy's life and her family life. The first 50 pages tell
of Sib's life as a teenager and the trials and tribulations that she's beginning to realize, only wanting to add
one more in meeting her mother. After page 50, the trip to San Francisco begins. Taxi, Sib's father, begins
to slowly discuss her mother and the life that she lead previously. Continuing to use a first person point of
view, Brooks develops the story using imagery and reflection on a life that Sib never knew. With the
development of character throughout the story, the reader begins to be able to understand the situation and
Sib. At the beginning of the story, Sib is very laid back and focused on her musical ambitions. Toward the
end of the novel music is still a main concentration, yet family and the interest within begin to eat away and
creep into Sib's curiosities. Taxi, in an interesting parallel, is very easy going and easy to talk to, reflected
in Sib and the way that her attitude is. The road trip discussions and ease of conversation between the two
characters rolls throughout the trip, showing signs of connection through music and family bonds. This
dialogue between the characters gives a more emotional element to the story. With his style of writing,
Brooks make a very large effort and accent on family bonds and the consistent necessity of family in your
life.

I am not musically inclined and i don't know how to play the cello,thus it was very hard for me to understand the book.I don't think it's a touching story,the whole book was about music.I gave up on the book after reading half of it....I was shocked to see so many good reviews on the book.