Customer Reviews

The Prodigy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book kept me on my tippy toes the whole time! I could't put it down from the start, and I think I finished it in like 4 hours! Noel Hynd's writing is so fluid, I always look forward to his next book. The best part is that, even though he writes fiction, each book seems to teach me a little something that I never knew before.

Reading this story of a famous concert pianist that is left to carry the classical music torch after his grumpy mentor passes away I thought hmmmmmmm.This novel is like a primer in how to write a horror novel. It has no bells and whistles, but instead relies on sound technical soundness, strong characterization, and a well paced plot. If I taught a contemporary English-Horror class to young people I might add this to curriculum.

The story isn't Terribly original but Hynd tells it well, adding a creepy feel to his themes of love, responsibilty hubris etc...

This is by far not my favourite horror novel of all time or even ghost story for that matter, but I did enjoy it and as I said if nothing else it is good to read "meat n potatoes" kinda writing in a field sometimes overwhelmed by hacks that forget the basics of good storytelling.

Terrific dynamic between the lead and his love. Very good psychological study of a prodigy. Full of suspense. A great read for the summer -- or the winter (just turn all the lights on in the house!).

The Prodigy

This book read like a movie in my mind. Smooth, atmospheric, spooky. A good page turner. The third of Mr. Hynd's books that I have read-all centering on supernatural themes-it is a perfect book to read if you are needing that creepy-crawly feeling down your spine. Noises you take for granted during the night will sound suspicious while reading about pianist Rolf Geiger and the threat he feels from his deceased mentor. Is he being haunted, or is he cracking under the pressure of an upcoming world tour?
I loved this book, and I wholeheartedly recommend it as well as his other two books on the supernatural, GHOSTS and CEMETERY OF ANGELS.

I enjoy a good ghost story and writer Noel Hynd has come through again! Rolf Geiger is the prodigy - a world class pianist haunted by recently deceased master and teacher Isador Rabinowitz. In life Rabinowitz is the master pianist, so dedicated to his music that he leaves room for nothing else and becomes a tyrant incapable of love and humanity. Rolf on the other hand balances fame and a personal life that includes the woman he loves, Diana.

Rabinowitz relentlessly haunts Rolf as he prepares for a world tour that is sure to launch him as the greatest classical pianist of all time. Rolf is bombarded with doubts and nightmare images as Rabinowitz moves to take possession of his life. It's a bumpy ride that leaves the reader on edge and pulling for Rolf as he struggles to maintain his sanity and save his relationship with Diana.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Noel Hynd's trilogy, The Prodigy seemed a little too drawn out. What was most disturbing was the lack of editing and proofreading. It seems that the manuscript was run through spell check, but never proof read because while words were properly spelled, they were not contextual.

Noel Hynd has proven himself to be a writer of all genres, but he still periodically slips back into the paranormal and he does it again now with "The Prodigy," a story that details both the good and the really, really bad about being that phantastical and singular word, "prodigy." Rolf Geiger is the young boy borne to the piano coached by the world famous Isador Rabinowitz who slips in and out of madness as easily as those fingers slide over a keyboard. Even as he reveals his technical secrets to Geiger, the boy grows into a man with his own mind. Too late, Rabinowitz realizes he can encourage talent but he can't direct it, he can't clone it, and he can't force it although he tries, both in and out of the graveyard. Fueled by rage over Geiger's playful turn at the keyboard, where he gets a kick out of mixing Mozart with Madonna, Rabinowitz can't contain his madness even when Geiger decides to pay a post-death tribute to him with a world-tour of traditional classical music. Like Hynd's masterful "Ghosts," "The Prodigy" toys with your mind as Rabinowitz toys with Geiger's, so look for that left turn at the end of the road. In addition, Hynd's passion for classical music and his intricate knowledge of it--I doubt this was all from research--makes it both history and horror. You will learn a great deal about classical music in this book and you'll be very, very glad if you're not a "Prodigy."

Noel Hynd, author of spy books, christian fiction, the supernatural, and yes non fiction.
This author has proven himself as a bestseller in each genre.He is reconized as one of the
top authors today being able to stay true to each book,and produce the very best in the written
word.
Its Halloween,you want to be afraid,very afraid,you want your heart to begin to skip.Your blood pressure
to rise,maybe check the closet and yes even under the bed.I hope you are an adult because no children
allowed.
The story is very scary ,very romantic ,but dont let the romance fool you,it helps make the story complete.
A famous concert pianist ,a dead mentor,a ghost story, a nightmare.Diana and Rolf Geiger on a train ride
, no a runaway train ride with their lives on the line.You will race to the ending,with only one thing in
mind, you will race out and buy more Noel Hynd books.You can't go wrong.

Excellent ghost story. The revised edition is as great as the original. It is updated a little but still held onto the real scary ghost. Rolf Geiger is a strong man with a wonderful musical gift, who rides a nightmare with a horrific ghost bent on destroying him. Rabinowitz his teacher, from the grave, gets into his head,and tries to take over his life. Rolf comes through the nightmare with the love of his life, Diana, and his talent intact. What a ride, a must read for anyone who loves a scary ghost story.

Very cool that this has been re-issued. I remember reading it when it came out. It's a very scary very romantic ghost story about a young musician who is haunted by the malevolent spirit of a great pianist who was his mentor-teacher who, even after death, wants to destroy him and the woman he loves. Read it with the light on. A must also if you like classical music.