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tildy08's review against another edition
2.0
I think a multitude of factors affected why it took me so long to finish this one. I honestly didn't like this book. I don't know if it was the fact that it bounced around in time, and changed the narrator constantly, or if the fact that the storyline was a bit scattered, but it certainly isn't a book I want to read again. When I read the synopsis I thought it would have more about Charlie's daughter, than about his great-grandmother, grandmother and mother, but there really was limited information about his daughter.
This book was about a man named Charlie who found out that his ex-wife had a little girl who is his. He was afraid that this little girl would have the same 'sickness' his mother had, and that she would continue to suffer throughout her life. Basically this book follows the life of his great-grandmother, grandmother and mother so that the reader can fully understand what his life and his mother's life was like with her sickness. Definitely not what I expected.
I just want to clarify that, it's not that this book isn't well written, it's just not what I personally like in a story-line because of how it changes narrators without specifying. I also found it frustrating that the author didn't specify what kind of illness the mother had. I know part of it was epilepsy, but I'm almost wondering if she also had schizophrenia because of the visions she had. Anyway, unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
This book was about a man named Charlie who found out that his ex-wife had a little girl who is his. He was afraid that this little girl would have the same 'sickness' his mother had, and that she would continue to suffer throughout her life. Basically this book follows the life of his great-grandmother, grandmother and mother so that the reader can fully understand what his life and his mother's life was like with her sickness. Definitely not what I expected.
I just want to clarify that, it's not that this book isn't well written, it's just not what I personally like in a story-line because of how it changes narrators without specifying. I also found it frustrating that the author didn't specify what kind of illness the mother had. I know part of it was epilepsy, but I'm almost wondering if she also had schizophrenia because of the visions she had. Anyway, unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
ldv's review against another edition
4.0
What I found most intriguing about this book is its narration. As a whole, it is narrated by the grandson of the "Piano Man" but he tells the story based on what he learned from his (grandson's) grandmother and mother (the title character) and his own observations. So the story really spans three generations.
I can't articulate what it was about this book that made me enjoy it. I chalk it up to a well-written and unique story with interesting characters. It's not difficult reading by any means, but it's not light and fluffy, either. It's literature! :)
I can't articulate what it was about this book that made me enjoy it. I chalk it up to a well-written and unique story with interesting characters. It's not difficult reading by any means, but it's not light and fluffy, either. It's literature! :)
novelesque_life's review
5.0
4.5 STARS
""Narrated by Charlie Kilworth, whose birth is an echo of his mother's own illegitimate beginnings, The Piano Man's Daughter is the lyrical, multilayered tale of Charlie's mother, Lily, his grandmother Ede, and their family. Lily is a woman pursued by her own demons, "making off with the matches just when the fires caught hold," "a beautiful, mad genius, first introduced to us singing in her mother's belly." It is also the tale of people who dream in songs, two Irish immigrant families facing a new and uncertain future in turn-of-the-century Toronto. Finally, it is a richly detailed tribute to a golden epoch in our history and of a generation striking the last, haunting chord of innocence." (From Amazon)
I loved this family drama that reminded me of Carol Shields's Stone Diaries. It is beautifully written literature but has a bit of sadness and darkness to the writing.
""Narrated by Charlie Kilworth, whose birth is an echo of his mother's own illegitimate beginnings, The Piano Man's Daughter is the lyrical, multilayered tale of Charlie's mother, Lily, his grandmother Ede, and their family. Lily is a woman pursued by her own demons, "making off with the matches just when the fires caught hold," "a beautiful, mad genius, first introduced to us singing in her mother's belly." It is also the tale of people who dream in songs, two Irish immigrant families facing a new and uncertain future in turn-of-the-century Toronto. Finally, it is a richly detailed tribute to a golden epoch in our history and of a generation striking the last, haunting chord of innocence." (From Amazon)
I loved this family drama that reminded me of Carol Shields's Stone Diaries. It is beautifully written literature but has a bit of sadness and darkness to the writing.
mamasquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting historical fiction on life in Eastern Canada/Ontario in the early twentieth century, particularly for women. Very well written, although I enjoyed the early years of the life of the main character (which coincides with the first part of the book) much more than the later years/end of the book.
missmeesh's review against another edition
1.0
I. Hated. This. Book.
I know plenty of people who said that they liked it, that it was really good "for an English class" and the like. However, I constantly read through it completely baffled at why this was.
The characters are hardly likable - Ede's decisions and what she does to Lily are remarkable. The plot plods on, and the narrative is hardly something that was absolutely amazing. In fact, I found the book to be something that I probably would have given up on long before I got as far as I did.
As it is, I will admit that it is not the worst book I have ever read. Its just not my favorite to have read for class.
I know plenty of people who said that they liked it, that it was really good "for an English class" and the like. However, I constantly read through it completely baffled at why this was.
The characters are hardly likable - Ede's decisions and what she does to Lily are remarkable. The plot plods on, and the narrative is hardly something that was absolutely amazing. In fact, I found the book to be something that I probably would have given up on long before I got as far as I did.
As it is, I will admit that it is not the worst book I have ever read. Its just not my favorite to have read for class.
slrsmith's review
5.0
Love this book! Read it the first time years ago and have just finished re-reading it. Just as enjoyable as the first time - and I very rarely enjoy re-reading books!
There are so many layers, the characters are all very human with their imperfections and questionable decisions.
I love historical fiction, especially those that span generations of a single family.
There are so many layers, the characters are all very human with their imperfections and questionable decisions.
I love historical fiction, especially those that span generations of a single family.
thepentheimk's review against another edition
3.0
While this is a very well-written, well-conceived book, it didn't move me the way I hoped Findley would manage to. It was interesting, but I didn't care much about the characters, which are the absolute core concern of this, and caring about them is the key for turning this book from servicable to amazing.
readingcat1228's review against another edition
4.0
This book was chosen because it sounded very interesting to me. As I was reading, I found myself reading several chapters at once since they were so short and continued from the one before. I liked some characters and didn't like others. Just read the book and you'll understand. Another thing that I liked was that it was set in Toronto, where I live. It felt weird reading names of streets in a book like this. Although at some parts the wording was hard to understand.
bookthia's review
3.0
The book is about family secrets and finding our own place in the world in spite of them -- finding our own place in the world having learned from them.Its a wonderful book. One of my favorites by Findley.