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pamgodwin's review against another edition
4.0
Gottfried owns the art of delving into a character's head and heart. She especially shone at this with Trevor's voice. I relish this level of deep third writing, but I had two problems with it in this book. One, the majority of the script was inner monologue and narration, specifically in the first half. There'd be a little action, a little external dialogue, then pages of inward thinking would follow before the next action beat. The second issue was the lack of affection I had for Trevor, the main POV. He's a self-absorbed, sniveling imbecile who behaved like a seven-year-old boy around girls. The main conflict in the book could've been averted if he'd just voiced his problem. I was so frustrated with him that by the conclusion, when he finally unclogged the C word from his stubborn throat, my weariness was irreversible. Too late, I thought, as I turned the last page with a grinding of teeth. My favorite dynamic in this book was Kerri. Her odd relationship with Trevor, the nickname he gave her, perceiving her through his viewpoint. Her character was an ingenious tool to develop Trevor, making her a potent piece of the story--I adored how she shared her marital bed in the end, such a great show of her empathy. If there'd been something more redeeming about Trevor Effing Wolff, some little thing I could identify with as I was able to do with Kerri, I would've been more sympathetic to the amount of time it took to grow his character.
cheesygiraffe's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE Trevor! Excellent read. I didn't want it to end.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
Susan Helen Gottfried has given the readers of Trevor's Song an all access backstage pass into the scenes of a touring rock star band and the complex life of a man on the edge.
Trevor Wolff is on the edge of super stardom, the edge of self destruction, the edge of life and death. As the man who brought together the band, Shapeshifters, it is a matter of pride that the popular heavy rock band is soaring to super stardom status. Trevor may not be a talented bassist but he is enjoying the benefits of the band lifestyle, women, money, status and well, more women. His childhood friend, Mitchell, is the front man with the looks and talent. Mitchell's family helped Trevor to survive his abusive childhood, and though the scars remain Trevor is mostly content. Then Mitchell meets Kerri and Trevor struggles with the changes that brings to his relationships.
Gottfried explores Trevor's internal conflicts, with humour and honesty. He is happy for, but deeply envious of, the new couples happiness. He wants to hate Kerri but instead is in half in love her. He would never betray his friendship with Mitchell, and Kerri isn't interested, so Trevor finds himself having to negotiate this new situation. It's not an easy thing to do for a man whose idea of love is transient at best. However the newlywed's show Trevor a possibility he hadn't really considered before, love and commitment that makes each half of the relationship a better person. It's both intriguing and fun to watch Trevor essentially discover maturity by observing Mitchell and Kerri. Trevor is such an unique character and it is to the authors credit that the author is able to reconcile his complicated personality and emotions in a way that is genuine and sympathetic. Having witnessed Trevor's growth during the course of the novel, his medical crisis is a threat to a character that is only just starting to find his way.
Gottfried's experience in the music scene shows in the details. It's a unique setting in that Shapeshifter's doesn't have the glamour that is usually exploited as a celebrity lifestyle. Tour buses are cramped and without privacy no matter how expensive they are, and concerts are not just about the music but high pressure situations that demand all the band members can give every time.
Gottfried has a natural style of writing and dialogue that suits her story and characters. There is some language and explicit sexual encounters though they are not gratuitous. I felt that perhaps the pace could have been a smoother, a lot of time in the first half is set on establishing the characters but there isn't enough happening . Seeds of the events that happen in the second half could have planted earlier to hint at the things to come. I also felt that too much of the first half is Mitchell's story to tell rather than Trevor's. Though the relationship between Mitchell and Kerri is an essential part of Trevor's character growth, I think the approach could have been skewed a bit more to ensure that Trevor's perspective stayed central.
Trevor's Song is Trevor's story, he is a complex individual that Susan Helen Gottfried brings to life with cheeky humour and emotional depth. This novel is a well written, contemporary story with unique and appealing characters. Gottfried is currently working on a sequel and so Trevor's refrain will continue.
Trevor Wolff is on the edge of super stardom, the edge of self destruction, the edge of life and death. As the man who brought together the band, Shapeshifters, it is a matter of pride that the popular heavy rock band is soaring to super stardom status. Trevor may not be a talented bassist but he is enjoying the benefits of the band lifestyle, women, money, status and well, more women. His childhood friend, Mitchell, is the front man with the looks and talent. Mitchell's family helped Trevor to survive his abusive childhood, and though the scars remain Trevor is mostly content. Then Mitchell meets Kerri and Trevor struggles with the changes that brings to his relationships.
Gottfried explores Trevor's internal conflicts, with humour and honesty. He is happy for, but deeply envious of, the new couples happiness. He wants to hate Kerri but instead is in half in love her. He would never betray his friendship with Mitchell, and Kerri isn't interested, so Trevor finds himself having to negotiate this new situation. It's not an easy thing to do for a man whose idea of love is transient at best. However the newlywed's show Trevor a possibility he hadn't really considered before, love and commitment that makes each half of the relationship a better person. It's both intriguing and fun to watch Trevor essentially discover maturity by observing Mitchell and Kerri. Trevor is such an unique character and it is to the authors credit that the author is able to reconcile his complicated personality and emotions in a way that is genuine and sympathetic. Having witnessed Trevor's growth during the course of the novel, his medical crisis is a threat to a character that is only just starting to find his way.
Gottfried's experience in the music scene shows in the details. It's a unique setting in that Shapeshifter's doesn't have the glamour that is usually exploited as a celebrity lifestyle. Tour buses are cramped and without privacy no matter how expensive they are, and concerts are not just about the music but high pressure situations that demand all the band members can give every time.
Gottfried has a natural style of writing and dialogue that suits her story and characters. There is some language and explicit sexual encounters though they are not gratuitous. I felt that perhaps the pace could have been a smoother, a lot of time in the first half is set on establishing the characters but there isn't enough happening . Seeds of the events that happen in the second half could have planted earlier to hint at the things to come. I also felt that too much of the first half is Mitchell's story to tell rather than Trevor's. Though the relationship between Mitchell and Kerri is an essential part of Trevor's character growth, I think the approach could have been skewed a bit more to ensure that Trevor's perspective stayed central.
Trevor's Song is Trevor's story, he is a complex individual that Susan Helen Gottfried brings to life with cheeky humour and emotional depth. This novel is a well written, contemporary story with unique and appealing characters. Gottfried is currently working on a sequel and so Trevor's refrain will continue.
literaryfeline's review
3.0
http://www.literaryfeline.com/2012/05/bookish-thoughts-trevors-song-by-susan.html
xallroyx21's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up for a few reasons. 1) I am familiar with the author from the bookobsessed forum. 2) It has a music backdrop. 3) It's on my Kindle which I am trying to use more. It took me awhile to get into it. Trevor is such an unlikeable prick of a main character! As I kept reading I started to see that this is part of his defense mechanism and eventually I had more positive feelings towards him. I also liked how some chapters were more focused on Kerri's character as well. It started slow, but the last half I just flew through. I am glad to know that there is more to the story. I am also glad that WOM has gotten this published and I wish her well!
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