The Music Shop: A Novel
"An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story."--People NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES (UK) AND THE WASHINGTON POST
It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop's owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people's needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music--and love--in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction. Praise for The Music Shop
"Captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance."--The Washington Post "Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page."--The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this [novel] will be without question one of the year's best."--BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction)
"Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. [The Music Shop] will surprise you."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce's detailed knowledge of--and passion for--music."--The Guardian
It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop's owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people's needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music--and love--in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction. Praise for The Music Shop
"Captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance."--The Washington Post "Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page."--The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this [novel] will be without question one of the year's best."--BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction)
"Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. [The Music Shop] will surprise you."--Minneapolis Star Tribune "Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce's detailed knowledge of--and passion for--music."--The Guardian
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
This book put me through the ringer. I thought I understood what I was getting into, but no not even close! I’m not even sure where to start. This book made me laugh, made me sad, made me think about my connection to music. That is what this book is about- connection to music. It was beautiful. Frank grew up around music thanks to his mom. However also thanks to her he found himself in a difficult position when it came to other areas of his life. While the flash back scenes had the information we needed to see the story move forward they are the reason I gave the book four stars and not five. They felt flat and stale to me. I’m not sure why when everything else was written so well. I liked the back and forth between Ilse and Frank, but really my favorite character was Kit. He stole the show for me! I loved his outgoing nature and his endless curiosity. The whole gang of characters made me feel like I was in the story with them and not just a reader. It is because of that and the fast pacing and short chapters that I kept reading and thinking about the book when I put it down. This book is a light read that will give you a break from the heaviness of the world and other books on your list. I’m not sure I understand certain plot points, but then again the book wouldn’t have been interesting without them so maybe it does work. I would recommend this to readers who love music and love a light read (though parts of the ending hurt my heart) because although this is a book that you don’t have to really think while reading it will make you think if that makes sense. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I hope it you read it, you do too!
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.