Customer Reviews

Piano: A Novel

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

 

 

This is a fun story, told in a straightforward and lively manner. A lonely pianist chases after opportunities for love without success, dies, and spends some time in purgatory while his fate is decided. Echenoz maintains an intriguing plot throughout, his brief character sketches are elegantly rendered, and the prose is tight, accessible, and, at times, poetic. My only complaint, and the only thing that kept this from being a five-star review, is the last page -- the last paragraph, even! A successful ending that satisfies everyone can be brutally difficult, if not impossible, to write, but the worst kind is the one that feels tacked on, unnecessary. In this case, it's as if Echenoz felt he hadn't explained himself well enough. In the process of explication, he undoes the subtlety and intrigue he so deftly delivered throughout the rest of the book.

Overall, however, a very enjoyable read. Better than expected!

Just the book to give the man who doesn't appreciate what he has (and who may or may not get the point of this subtle tale, but at least you can say you tried). Beautifully written prose to savor, daring premise. A fine read by one of France's premier writers.