I was disappointed in this book. I was looking forward to a novel that had lots of musical detail in it and it definitely succeeded there, and the writing about playing was excellent. But the prose surrounding the main plot of the novel was extremely self-conscious, overwrought and annoying. I didn't find much to like in the main character (beyond his talents as a musician, which came across) and couldn't see any reason for this great love that existed between him and Julia. ( )

Michael Holme es un violinista de gran talento, a quien su maestro auguraba una prometedora carrera como concertista, y que ha acabado como segundo violín en el Cuarteto Maggiore, una posición tan cómoda y sin expectativas como su propia vida, que transcurre gris y melancólica en un Londres igual de triste y melancólico. Incompetente para el mundo real, solo dos pasiones le animan: Schubert y su violín, un Tononi que le regaló su primera amiga y mentora, Mrs. Formby, quien de niño le introdujo en los placeres de la música y la poesía. Pero el grueso caparazón que mantiene su fría y rutinaria existencia se ve de pronto roto por el azar: una tarde, en medio del bullicio de la ciudad, cree ver a Julia, una pianista a la que amó y perdió diez años atrás debido a sus dudas y a su incapacidad de enfrentarse a la realidad. A partir de ese momento Michael dedica todas sus fuerzas a reencontrarla, como si ese viaje desesperado al pasado fuera lo único que pudiera dar sentido a su vida. Y al hallarla, Michael descubrirá que el pasado es otra caja de Pandora, y el abrirla le llevará a un viaje interior por los laberintos de la memoria y a otro viaje físico por Venecia y Viena en compañía de Julia, quien le revelará un terrible secreto que afecta a lo más íntimo de su ser y que es la cruel prueba de que nunca hay una segunda oportunidad.

Great read for anyone who has played been part of a musical ensemble. True-to-life rehearsal conversations, personality conflicts, etc. ( )

La història d'amor d'un violoncelista que forma part d'un quartet de corda. ( )

Vikram Seth is one of those writers who belong to a different realm altogether. His language flows like a fresh stream -- clear, alive, authentic. Even the most esoteric of subjects becomes engrossing and comprehensible. In this novel, a classical violinist, part of a quartet, is unhappy. Music is the only thing that still keeps him going, and then someone from his past returns into his life and plunges him into a despairing last grasp at love.

You don't have to know anything about quartets or music to be mesmerized by the arrangements, the issues involved in being part of a musical group. Then there is the love story -- the wonderful pain of a second chance that really isn't. And last, the tragedy of losing the ability to do the one thing you were meant to do. All of this comes together in this touching novel. Bravo! ( )