Music for the Unsung Heroes - Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen
If you also feel like music is the soul of the people who wrote and/or play it, Tess Gerritsen's Playing with Fire might captivate you like it did me. Similar to my last few book reviews, this review will not include any spoilers. However, unlike the others, I was drawn to this book as an impulse buy during a chocolate-and-soda run.
Paired side-by-side with the present and past, the reader is viewing two separate thrillers that cause a wide range of emotions. While my interest stayed mainly with the past (I am a huge history buff and WWII-impact stories always keep me enthralled), the constant question of what the possible connection outside of the music could be between the two stories had me reading the novel in one sitting.
I can honestly say I was not disappointed in how it turned out. I admit that I enjoyed reading the past part of the novel the most and could have read it as a stand-alone; however, there is the beautiful tie-up at the end that I honestly feel makes the whole story come together. Normally I am not a fan of everything tied up in a perfect bow and presented, but the way Gerritsen accomplished this isn't a reach as one might expect. Her character development and refusal to not tell her characters' truths all the way through is an inspiration to my own writing.
The way the novel delves into racism and the discussion around mental illness were beautiful parallels included, the idea of "playing with fire" connecting them both in the strong theme noted with the title. In particular (namely, an example of this fire that doesn't give any spoilers), Gerritsen never shies away from a strong fiery female character who will always fight for the answers. Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series follows the same type of characterization as well for those who might have heard of it.
Surprisingly (though not all that surprising, if I am honest), Gerritsen also proves herself to be a bad-ass in her day-to-day life. Incendio, the piece described in the novel, is a piece most would assume is fictional. It may have been when the novel first started (I would be very interested to find out when she was inspired to complete it), but Gerritsen actually composed this piece as well. From listening to it, I have to say it as beautifully haunting as described in the novel. Listen to the performance by Yi-Jia Susanne Hou as this is noted as how it should be heard and then try to tell me you won't be immediately buying the novel now! If I had known this beforehand, I would have listened to the song on repeat while reading. I was already crying anyway, so why not damage my soul a little more?
My goal after reading this novel is to find more pieces of Gerritsen that gear towards her skill of historical fiction. Her focus on the subject at hand was fresh and inspired me to dig deeper to truly honor the unsung heroes as well. It has been a long while since a novel has affected me so greatly; the passion is so apparent with the writer and the characters.
Get swept up in the notes and read the novel for yourself, you know you want to play.
Enjoyed this review or feel like a healthy debate? Share in the comments below!
Aspiring novelist/story-teller? Let me help you out! I am always open to expanding my personal library and, writer to writer, understand how hard it can be to get your name out there.
Paired side-by-side with the present and past, the reader is viewing two separate thrillers that cause a wide range of emotions. While my interest stayed mainly with the past (I am a huge history buff and WWII-impact stories always keep me enthralled), the constant question of what the possible connection outside of the music could be between the two stories had me reading the novel in one sitting.
I can honestly say I was not disappointed in how it turned out. I admit that I enjoyed reading the past part of the novel the most and could have read it as a stand-alone; however, there is the beautiful tie-up at the end that I honestly feel makes the whole story come together. Normally I am not a fan of everything tied up in a perfect bow and presented, but the way Gerritsen accomplished this isn't a reach as one might expect. Her character development and refusal to not tell her characters' truths all the way through is an inspiration to my own writing.
The way the novel delves into racism and the discussion around mental illness were beautiful parallels included, the idea of "playing with fire" connecting them both in the strong theme noted with the title. In particular (namely, an example of this fire that doesn't give any spoilers), Gerritsen never shies away from a strong fiery female character who will always fight for the answers. Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series follows the same type of characterization as well for those who might have heard of it.
Surprisingly (though not all that surprising, if I am honest), Gerritsen also proves herself to be a bad-ass in her day-to-day life. Incendio, the piece described in the novel, is a piece most would assume is fictional. It may have been when the novel first started (I would be very interested to find out when she was inspired to complete it), but Gerritsen actually composed this piece as well. From listening to it, I have to say it as beautifully haunting as described in the novel. Listen to the performance by Yi-Jia Susanne Hou as this is noted as how it should be heard and then try to tell me you won't be immediately buying the novel now! If I had known this beforehand, I would have listened to the song on repeat while reading. I was already crying anyway, so why not damage my soul a little more?
My goal after reading this novel is to find more pieces of Gerritsen that gear towards her skill of historical fiction. Her focus on the subject at hand was fresh and inspired me to dig deeper to truly honor the unsung heroes as well. It has been a long while since a novel has affected me so greatly; the passion is so apparent with the writer and the characters.
Get swept up in the notes and read the novel for yourself, you know you want to play.
Enjoyed this review or feel like a healthy debate? Share in the comments below!
Aspiring novelist/story-teller? Let me help you out! I am always open to expanding my personal library and, writer to writer, understand how hard it can be to get your name out there.
Comments
Post a Comment