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bethoconnell33's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook performed by Emily Gray.
As World War II breaks out, Lavender Stone leaves London for a cottage in Suffolk. La (as she is known to her friends) is fleeing more than the German bombings; her husband has run off to France, and she is struggling to make sense of their marriage. The peace and solitude of the small town suit La, and she begins to make friends. Believing in the healing power of music, she forms an amateur orchestra, drawing on the musical skills of villagers and soldiers at the local RAF base. Among the musicians is a reserved, proper Pole – Feliks – who becomes a friend, and kindles feelings La thought she had put aside.
Alexander McCall Smith has a gentle way of introducing the reader to his characters. La and the other residents of the town go about their business, observing the goings on in the village and the greater world, and trying to live the best lives they can in the circumstances. They worry, rejoice, are fearful, find love, relish friendships, enjoy simple pleasures and take action when they can.
The fact that La lost her mother at a young age definitely affected how she approached life and love. I was so happy that there were people in her life who genuinely cared about her, and about whom she could care. I totally understood how she came to her decisions, and felt her anguish over having to make some of them. I applauded her resilience and her ability to maintain her faith in the basic goodness of others. Her scope of influence may have been small, but she was a treasure to those within that circle.
Emily Gray was perfect performing the audio book. Her measured tone and steady pace were ideally suited to this gentle story. I do not normally care for sound effects or embellishments in audio books, but I really would have liked to have a little orchestral accompaniment in this one. Still, the lack of a musical score did not detract from the experience or Gray’s narration.
As World War II breaks out, Lavender Stone leaves London for a cottage in Suffolk. La (as she is known to her friends) is fleeing more than the German bombings; her husband has run off to France, and she is struggling to make sense of their marriage. The peace and solitude of the small town suit La, and she begins to make friends. Believing in the healing power of music, she forms an amateur orchestra, drawing on the musical skills of villagers and soldiers at the local RAF base. Among the musicians is a reserved, proper Pole – Feliks – who becomes a friend, and kindles feelings La thought she had put aside.
Alexander McCall Smith has a gentle way of introducing the reader to his characters. La and the other residents of the town go about their business, observing the goings on in the village and the greater world, and trying to live the best lives they can in the circumstances. They worry, rejoice, are fearful, find love, relish friendships, enjoy simple pleasures and take action when they can.
The fact that La lost her mother at a young age definitely affected how she approached life and love. I was so happy that there were people in her life who genuinely cared about her, and about whom she could care. I totally understood how she came to her decisions, and felt her anguish over having to make some of them. I applauded her resilience and her ability to maintain her faith in the basic goodness of others. Her scope of influence may have been small, but she was a treasure to those within that circle.
Emily Gray was perfect performing the audio book. Her measured tone and steady pace were ideally suited to this gentle story. I do not normally care for sound effects or embellishments in audio books, but I really would have liked to have a little orchestral accompaniment in this one. Still, the lack of a musical score did not detract from the experience or Gray’s narration.
jessicafulton's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.5
lucie_norel's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
3 and a half stars. I think the part of this story that I would have liked to have read best was the part left unwritten between the present beginning and where the story told ends at the end. I really liked the writing and understood and felt the message of the book, just felt this bit of blah that maybe I was suppose to feel and should be giving this a 4! I think this is one of those books that I should be discussing with others. Someone read it fast and call me!! ;o)
confuusedcreaturex4's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
soniapage's review
4.0
Story of one young woman's experiences during WWII told with the author's charming light touch.
rebcamuse's review against another edition
3.0
One of the luxuries in writing serials (for which [a:Alexander McCall Smith|4738|Alexander McCall Smith|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1205106614p2/4738.jpg] is best known) is that you can always tie up loose ends in a later book. But in a novel like[b:La's Orchestra Saves the World|5066978|La's Orchestra Saves the World|Alexander McCall Smith|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21QnCnlokLL._SL75_.jpg|5133637], that luxury doesn't exist. The premise of the story is great, and the book is a pleasurable read, but there is a lot that never gets fully developed. For example, the wartime pickup orchestra would have been an excellent opportunity to throw in several colorful characters who could make cameo appearances, leaving the meatier roles to the protagonist and secondary leads. The protagonist, Lavender (or La), always remains just at the edge of REALLY fascinating, partially due to her own reserve, but also in the way she is written by McCall Smith.
The book is a beautiful depiction, however, of the impact of war away from the frontlines. So many of us take our standard of living for granted, but the book revisits the time of victory gardens, rations, and being glued to the radio for news. I found myself wanting to know more about the orchestra that "saves the world" and less about the protagonist as time went on. I also did not like the ending, which seemed far too trite for the buildup.
It is a book worth reading if you've got a long plane ride ahead, or several hours just to sit and relax on the weekend.
The book is a beautiful depiction, however, of the impact of war away from the frontlines. So many of us take our standard of living for granted, but the book revisits the time of victory gardens, rations, and being glued to the radio for news. I found myself wanting to know more about the orchestra that "saves the world" and less about the protagonist as time went on. I also did not like the ending, which seemed far too trite for the buildup.
It is a book worth reading if you've got a long plane ride ahead, or several hours just to sit and relax on the weekend.