Book Review The Music Book

Title: The Music Book

Author: Dave O’Leary

Genre: Literary Fiction

Rating: 9/10

Buy: Amazon

What does music mean? Can it be more than the sum of its notes and melodies? Can it truly change you? Rob, a musician turned reluctant music critic, poses these questions as everything important in his life appears to be fading—memories of lost love, songs from his old bands, even his hearing. He delves into the music of others to find solace and purpose, and discovers that the chords and repeated phrases echo themes that have emerged in his own life. The music sustains him, but can it revive him?

The Music Book is a story of loss, of fear and loneliness, of a mutable past. But most of all it’s about music as a force, as energy, as a creator of possibility. What might come from the sound of an A chord played just so? Rob listens. And among other things, he finds surprising companionship with a cat; another chance at love; and the courage to step on a stage again and finally, fully comprehend the power of sound.

I’m a fan of music, having played in several bands myself, so I went in thinking I’d like this book. What I didn’t know was that I wouldn’t just like it – I’d love it.

Rob used to be a musician but is now a reluctant music critic. He wonders about the meaning of music while everything else he ever held dear in his life seems to be fading, including his hearing. He finds solace in the music of others, exploring the Seattle music scene.  The author brings in real locations from Seattle and real bands, giving the book an authentic and realistic fear.

The book is quite deep, literary, sometimes even philosophical. The author does a great job on the writing, and on making the characters shine and stand out.