Reviews

The Conductor by Sarah Quigley

tamarant4's review

hopeful inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The rehearsal room stretched to accommodate the music, and the music filled the whole city, and the empty fields and desolate woods beyond. It rained down on Russian and German soldiers crouched in their trenches, stripping them of both fear and purpose — and then, surely, everything would be all right again... [loc. 3948]

Another novel about the Siege of Leningrad, to follow The Lost Pianos of Siberia (not a novel, but sparked my interest in the Siege with a handful of unsettling references) and The Siege, Helen Dunmore's critically-acclaimed novel about ordinary folk and how they survived the 900-day Siege, during which over a million people died of starvation or hypothermia. The Conductor may be mistitled: it felt to me as though the central character was Shostakovich, writing his Seventh Symphony during wartime, trying to evoke the spirit of Leningrad. But I could equally argue that Karl Eliasberg, the conductor of the Leningrad Radio Orchestra, is the man who makes possible the Leningrad premiere of the Seventh Symphony. Quigley at one point has Shostakovich, feeling affinity with Eliasberg's 'inner severity', say "I need the conductor. He's the listener I need."

Quigley focuses on three key figures: Shostakovich (driven, passionate, extremely disparaging about other composers); Eliasberg (moody, shy, lives with his mother); and violinist Nikolai Nikolayev (widower, devoted to his daughter). Of the three, I think I liked Shostakovich most -- I expect quite a few of his caustic comments come from published material -- but yes, it's Eliasberg who changes most over the course of the novel. He pulls together what's left of his 'second-rate' orchestra (the Philharmonia has been evacuated); doggedly pesters the Party for better rations and the conscriptions of anyone capable of playing an instrument; is the first person to hear, in a private session with Shostakovich, the Seventh Symphony. ('The music had marched into his body and strengthened him, fortifying his resolve.') All while struggling to keep himself and his elderly mother alive.

The novel ends just as Eisenberg's baton comes down to begin that momentous performance. We don't see people's reactions, or the aftermath of the Siege, or how Eisenberg's life changed -- not entirely for the better -- after the war. But Quigley gives us an emotional, credible, sometimes dramatic insight into the men who brought about the Leningrad premiere of what became known as the Leningrad Symphony.

I bought this novel in 2012, since when it's languished in the TBR: a great example of how there's a right time to read a book.

I also listened to Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony on repeat while I read: sadly, I still don't really like his music. But I love how much it mattered.

james303's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The story was well-written and main characters - Elias, Nikolai and Shostakovich - written so they and their tragic circumstances could be emphasised with. A very original piece of historical fiction, which compellingly evoked Leningrad during war - horrifying and affirming in equal measure. 

sally0409's review against another edition

4.0

Beautifully written. I loved the quiet dignity and resilience of the characters. The detailed descriptions of daily life and the way life changed so gradually at first.
I started reading this book 3 and a half weeks ago, when my own daily life was very different to now. I had read about the seige of Leningrad before, and knew about the siege throughout the harsh frozen winter and the people reduced to eating rats and boiling shoe leather. This book was on my to read list for a while and I knew I would enjoy it.
I had no idea, of course, that our own world would alter so dramatically before I finished the book. It took on a new relevance as current events unfolded, and my own city went into lockdown.
One sentence at the end of the novel stood out in particular: ''He still found it hard to believe that life could change so swiftly and completely: not only was the city shattered, but his own routine existence had been shattered apart.''
Of course, we are safe inside our homes. We have no bombs dropping on our heads, no Russian winter and we have food. Nevertheless, I felt a connection to these characters I would not otherwise have felt.
And a true admiration for their bravery.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.

utopologist's review against another edition

1.0

For such a profound event in the history of the twentieth century, this book covers the actual time surrounding the rehearsal and performance of Shostakovich's 7th in perhaps a 5th of its text. What a waste to focus on twee, forgettable characters with predictable neuroses. I was gravely disappointed.

kath61's review against another edition

5.0

An original and interesting book as well as a good read. I loved all the musical allusions and the gradual build up, and really felt for the characters as well as learning further about this period of Russian history. Very well written.

andrew61's review against another edition

4.0

A really interesting read about Shostakovich's writing of his seventh symphony as the German army bombard Leningrad. There are three main characters Nikolai, a violinist, Elias the conductor of the radio orchestra, and Shostakovich himself. The author captures the tension and hardships in the city together with a great picture of the individual characters and demonstartes the drive and single mindedness of the composer. A very good example of historical fiction.

made_by_suus's review against another edition

4.0

3.8, really.

hancockeli130's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

mogilvie's review against another edition

4.0

Loved it. Read it a while back and can't remember enough to write a review.

msgtdameron's review against another edition

3.0

Sara Quigley has written a good historical fiction novel about a piece of music. These are the words that may have been said by those caught in Leningrad in 1941-42. Shostakovich is writing his 7th Symphony in the fall and winter of 1941. He has not allowed himself and family to be evacuated from the city. Karl Eliasberg is the conductor of the Leningrad radio orchestra. They meet during the siege and, in this work criticize each other. Eliasberg to Shostakovich face to face and Shostakovich in Eliasberg mind. The story takes the reader into Leningrad as a civilian saw the siege. The cannibalism, food fights, the struggle to survive and the death that surrounded every one everywhere. It also shows the humor and good moments that can happen during times of stress. But the real story in this read is not in the book itself. The real story is when you Google Shostakovich's 7th and listen to it on your device. It is only then that you totally understand the story that Quigley is trying to tell. I believe this is so true that the book should be sold new with a CD of the 7th attached to it. With out the music this is a medico book, but once you hear the 7th you understand what Shostakovich and Eliasberg were trying to do during fall, winter 41 and spring 42. It is with the music that his book comes alive and the story becomes not just a fictional account of a great event in that 900 day siege but brings the reader closer to the principals who lived in that time of fire and ice. A three for the book alone but a five for the book along with the 7th symphony.