Customer Reviews

Of Words & Music (Five Star Expressions)

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

 

 

Wealthy, sixty-something widow Lilah Kimball is forced to examine her life when the orphaned granddaughter she didn't know existed is thrust upon her. Lilah agrees to keep Bethany for the summer while the social worker searches for another relative to take the girl off Lilah's hands. Lilah is not a sympathetic figure at the beginning of the book, and I wanted to smack some sense into her. But then if she were what we hope for in a grandmother, there would be no story.

Lilah has to deal with her housekeeper and best friend, Marabet, whose disdain over Lilah's coldness toward the girl is palpable. Marabet forms an instant bond with Bethany, and she feels the youngster's pain at being so obviously rejected. A book can't rely on primary characters, and Marabet has an Oscar-worthy supporting role. She's the yin to Lilah's yang, the warmth to her chill. The one bright spot in Lilah's memory is her beautiful daughter, but even that is tainted by guilt she has yet come to terms with. All that is left is Bethany, a twelve-year old girl who wants and needs the love and home that Lilah is reluctant to give for fear that loving leads to losing, and losing loved ones is painful.

Every good book has a worthy adversary, and this one is no exception. The role falls to Lilah's son Charles, a carbon copy of Lilah's dead husband and the catalyst that sparks a series of changes in more than one character.

There are a couple of surprising twists at the end, which I won't give away. Ms. Fitzgerald is a lovely writer who knows how to evoke emotion, something I think is very hard to do. I cried more than once and fumed as often. Of Words & Music is definitely a great read.

Lilah Kimball's family came apart years ago, when her only daughter fell in love with an unsuitable man. Lilah's husband disowned their daughter and forbade anyone in the family from having any contact with her. Like a dutiful wife, Lilah followed his instructions because as she tells her son, "I still tried to be a good wife to him. Women of my generation were conditioned to do that."

Years pass. Lilah's husband is dead, replaced by her son who developed all of her late husband's bad traits and none of his good one. She has settled into a beige-colored widowhood, one more quiet, neutral possession that Gerome Kimball left behind.

Then a social worker comes to tell Lilah that her daughter is also dead and that her granddaughter, twelve-year old Bethany, is one step away from being made a ward of social services. Reluctantly, Lilah agrees to take the girl in until the state of Georgia can make more permanent arrangements.

Lilah's huge house is big enough for grandmother and granddaughter to avoid one another, until one day they come together at the black Steinway piano in the living room. Gradually music begins to unlock two hearts. Bethany begins to trust the world again. Lilah realizes she's too old and has too much good sense to live the rest of her life within the restraints that Gerome imposed upon her. This is a lovely story of two women, of different generations, getting on with getting on.

by Sharon Wildwind
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

I opened the book thinking I could read a chapter or two and then go to sleep. I couldn't stop reading this one. The characters were so real. They each had their own personality that jumped off the page and made me feel like I knew them. No one character is too perfect or too flawed, and this makes the characters and story hit so close to home. The story line is also more real than many people realize, since so many families are split up because of choices we make in life. My only critique is that the book seemed to end too soon. I would have liked to keep reading and see what happened to Bethany years down the road when she ventures to make similar choices as her mother, and to see how Lilah reacts.

In addition, Lynda is a tremendous author. I read her first book, If Truth Be Told, which was also a great read. What's neat is that her character development is equally deep, but the stories are so unique. It's very refreshing to read an author that's not cookie cutter. GREAT books!

We really enjoyed this book. The characters seemed very real and the
story line was intriguing and the ending was really surprising.
Look forward to further books by Lynda Fitzgerald.
Have really enjoyed both of her books.
We have a hard time putting them down as they are very interesting reading.

The reader's first impression of Lilah Kimball, Ms. Fitzgerald's primary character in Of Words and Music, isn't pleasant. She appears to be a callous, cold woman with no heart for her newly orphaned granddaughter, Bethany (who, in Lilah's defense, she hadn't known about as she was estranged from her daughter, Bethany's mother). But no sooner have you formed this opinion than you see Lilah interact with her housekeeper and best friend, Marabet, where you see a glimmer of the true Lilah beneath the cold veneer ... and you are off on a beautifully written ride of redemption as Lilah's cold heart slowly melts, warms, and then soars with a new passion for her life and the people she loves, including Bethany.

Once again, Ms. Fitzgerald has created a believable and engaging cast of characters. Each is on a personal journey, most to a new level of joy in their lives, the notable exception being Lilah's odious son, Charles (who I hope is wallowing in his own misery somewhere). Ms. Fitzgerald has a natural, uncomplicated style of writing that flows effortlessly. It makes it so easy to become attached to her characters. I found myself "reminiscing" about Lilah and Bethany and Marabet and Lesa long after I turned the last page.

I became a big fan of Ms. Fitzgerald when I read her first novel, If Truth Be Told. I'm pleased to say I enjoyed Of Words and Music even more!

It's uplifting to see how this story takes shape. You have a grandmother who is stunned to find out she has a granddaughter, reluctantly agrees to temporarily give the girl a home until another relative is found, her best friend is the housekeeper and encourages the two to get along, and a son who takes after his dictator father. The author writes this family drama in a way that actually makes you feel as if you are a part of the drama. It's truly amazing how music can bring people together. Without spoiling the story, I can highly recommend this book to anyone. This is a must read.

Wealthy widow, sexagenarian Lilah Kimball has never recovered from when her late martinet spouse told their daughter Elizabeth to never come back if she marries beneath her. So when social worker Felicity Greenlea informs her that Elizabeth is dead three months ago from a car accident, she hides her grief; as she always prayed for reconciliation. She also learns she has a twelve year old granddaughter Bethany Freemont whose father died two years ago after suffering with leukemia. Although she prefers to say no, encouraged by her best friend (and housekeeper) Marabet, Lilah agrees to temporary house the child until a paternal relative is located.

Lilah hides from Bethany who hates her grandmother for not being there for her mother. Marabet sees a chance for Lilah to regain her life lost fourteen years ago. However, her forty year old son Charles, a chip off the dictatorial block of his late dad, wants the brat gone. As Lilah and Bethany begin to bond playing the piano together, secrets from Athens and Atlanta haunt everyone.

This is an engaging redemption family drama as Lilah has a chance to indirectly fix the mistake of her life if she can take a chance on loving someone again. The cast is strong . Marabet is a terrific BFF who is there for her buddy, but refuses to pull punches. Bethany is a delightful charmer who goes from loathing to loving her grandma. Charles' wife Lese goes from mouse to frightened lioness while Charles shows few if any redeeming qualities and fans will hiss him with what he did years ago to his mom and late sister. Although overwrought at times especially a late unnecessary runaway scene, fans will enjoy this fine character driven drama with a fabulous final twist that defines what a family truly is.

Harriet Klausner

I strongly recommend this novel. This is a family drama and about a tragedy of miscommunication. It is a novel of loss and redemption, very moving, very powerful. Lilah Kimball is the key character. She has gone through life as a submissive daughter and wife. Now at sixty, she awakens to the fact that she lost her daughter and son by allowing an emotionally abusive husband control her. The worm turns.
Lilah finds herself, and in so doing, embraces several wonderful friendships, most of all, a granddaughter who is now a homeless orphan. Each key character is realistic, well-developed.