An Unfinished Score by Elise Blackwell
Unbridled Books, April 2010
As she prepares dinner for her husband and their extended family, Suzanne hears on the radio that a jetliner has crashed and her lover is dead. Alex Elling was a renowned orchestra conductor. Suzanne is a concert violist, long unsatisfied with her marriage to a composer whose music turns emotion into thought. Now, more alone than she’s ever been, she must grieve secretly. But as complex as that effort is, it pales with the arrival of Alex’s widow, who blackmails her into completing the score for Alex’s unfinished viola concerto.
As Suzanne struggles to keep her double life a secret from her husband, from her best friend, and from the other members of her quartet, she is consumed by memories of a rich love affair saturated with music. Increasingly manipulated by her lover’s widow and tormented by the concerto’s many layers, Suzanne realizes she may lose everything she’s spent her life working for.
A story of love, loss, sex, class, and betrayal, this psychologically compelling novel explores the ways that artists’ lives and work interact, the nature of relationships among women as friends and competitors, and what it means to make a life of art.
Elise Blackwell is the author of three previous novels: Hunger, The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish, and Grub. Her books have been chosen for numerous “best of the year” lists, including the Los Angeles Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and Kirkus. Her short stories and cultural criticism have appeared in Witness, Topic, Seed, Global City Review, Quick Fiction, and elsewhere. Originally from southern Louisiana, she has lived in many others places and is currently Associate Professor of English at the University of South Carolina.
Unbridled Books, April 2010
As she prepares dinner for her husband and their extended family, Suzanne hears on the radio that a jetliner has crashed and her lover is dead. Alex Elling was a renowned orchestra conductor. Suzanne is a concert violist, long unsatisfied with her marriage to a composer whose music turns emotion into thought. Now, more alone than she’s ever been, she must grieve secretly. But as complex as that effort is, it pales with the arrival of Alex’s widow, who blackmails her into completing the score for Alex’s unfinished viola concerto.
As Suzanne struggles to keep her double life a secret from her husband, from her best friend, and from the other members of her quartet, she is consumed by memories of a rich love affair saturated with music. Increasingly manipulated by her lover’s widow and tormented by the concerto’s many layers, Suzanne realizes she may lose everything she’s spent her life working for.
A story of love, loss, sex, class, and betrayal, this psychologically compelling novel explores the ways that artists’ lives and work interact, the nature of relationships among women as friends and competitors, and what it means to make a life of art.
Elise Blackwell is the author of three previous novels: Hunger, The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish, and Grub. Her books have been chosen for numerous “best of the year” lists, including the Los Angeles Times, Sydney Morning Herald, and Kirkus. Her short stories and cultural criticism have appeared in Witness, Topic, Seed, Global City Review, Quick Fiction, and elsewhere. Originally from southern Louisiana, she has lived in many others places and is currently Associate Professor of English at the University of South Carolina.
What are you waiting for? Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
13 comments:
This sounds like it is going to be an interesting book, and I love the cover.
Here is mine.
I read Grub, but I didn't know she had a new one coming out. Great pick...onto the list it goes!!
oooh that sounds good :D
btw I gave you an award here: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-feel-special-now-d.html
have a great day!
Hope it's as good as it sounds. Love the cover!
This sounds very complex and good. I'll have to add it to my list. I haven't heard of this author before and will check her out.
I really want to read this one too! I interviewed Elise and she is so nice!
Wow. This sounds really good. It actually sort of reminded me of the movie BLUE (from the color trilogy: Blue, White, and Red). I think it would be a good companion to this book. Great pick!
i like the music element thrown into this mix as well. the viola is one you don't read much of. love the cover too. good pick.
sounds compelling. Have fun reading!
Great pick, I will be adding it to my list. Have a great week :)
This one looks really deep!! Enjoy!!
This one sounds interesting. I always am intrigued with books that have music as a theme/subject.
Post a Comment