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bibliocamera's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved Frank’s music knowledge and passion. I was fascinated with the way he paired music outside of genre, making connections that were so utterly amazing. That part of the book was outstanding. The unity of the people on unity street was very charming and enjoyable. I liked the backstory of Ilse and the mystery of her past. I liked the flashbacks about Peg and how she shaped Frank. Although I was left wondering why he was named Frank, when music was her life. Was it for Sinatra? That explanation would have really helped.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
edlib's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved Frank’s music knowledge and passion. I was fascinated with the way he paired music outside of genre, making connections that were so utterly amazing. That part of the book was outstanding. The unity of the people on unity street was very charming and enjoyable. I liked the backstory of Ilse and the mystery of her past. I liked the flashbacks about Peg and how she shaped Frank. Although I was left wondering why he was named Frank, when music was her life. Was it for Sinatra? That explanation would have really helped.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
lovelykd's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of The Music Shop from NetGalley.
This book was a slow burn for me. It started off in a plodding manner, and I very nearly abandoned it altogether; but at around the 46 percent mark, it began to work its way into something more: a very broad, extremely poignant, and endlessly charming tale about change and love.
Frank wasn’t the most likable character. His need to hang on to a time that was destined to vanish—with or without him—was frustrating.
I found myself turned off by his pig-headed nature and, honestly, completely wrote him off at one point because I ceased caring what happened to him. He seemed hell bent on making his life miserable, so I figured let him.
However, as I watched him struggle with all he knows about love and music, and saw him come to grips with the possibility that his structured way of life wasn’t going to guarantee him happiness, I saw a lesson in how stubborn we all can be when it comes to putting ourselves out there and exploring the unknown.
Ilse was a woman hoping for a change. She was dealt a devastating hand at the table of life, and was left wondering if she had a purpose at all. Frank’s passion for music is reignites her desire to re-enter the world and see if there’s another hand to play.
I loved Ilse.
As they both navigated the waters, it became clear the troubles they’d each need to overcome were more than environmental. It’s also clear that a “Hallelujah” moment would be needed to save them all.
It’s a story about love and community, set in an era when gentrification and development became the bulldozer of choice for the corporate world.
In my opinion, gentrification has played a pivotal role in helping to destroy the very fabric of human connection. We’ve accepted the role of audience member—watching the world and its inhabitants do as they please—as opposed to being players and fighting for the blocks,and people, we love dearly—in that regard alone, Frank was to be commended.
The Music Shop is a beautiful story because it makes one question not only the ability to change, but how willing we all are to stand by, and watch the world go by without us, just to prove a point.
A truly lovely read.
This book was a slow burn for me. It started off in a plodding manner, and I very nearly abandoned it altogether; but at around the 46 percent mark, it began to work its way into something more: a very broad, extremely poignant, and endlessly charming tale about change and love.
Frank wasn’t the most likable character. His need to hang on to a time that was destined to vanish—with or without him—was frustrating.
I found myself turned off by his pig-headed nature and, honestly, completely wrote him off at one point because I ceased caring what happened to him. He seemed hell bent on making his life miserable, so I figured let him.
However, as I watched him struggle with all he knows about love and music, and saw him come to grips with the possibility that his structured way of life wasn’t going to guarantee him happiness, I saw a lesson in how stubborn we all can be when it comes to putting ourselves out there and exploring the unknown.
Ilse was a woman hoping for a change. She was dealt a devastating hand at the table of life, and was left wondering if she had a purpose at all. Frank’s passion for music is reignites her desire to re-enter the world and see if there’s another hand to play.
I loved Ilse.
As they both navigated the waters, it became clear the troubles they’d each need to overcome were more than environmental. It’s also clear that a “Hallelujah” moment would be needed to save them all.
It’s a story about love and community, set in an era when gentrification and development became the bulldozer of choice for the corporate world.
In my opinion, gentrification has played a pivotal role in helping to destroy the very fabric of human connection. We’ve accepted the role of audience member—watching the world and its inhabitants do as they please—as opposed to being players and fighting for the blocks,and people, we love dearly—in that regard alone, Frank was to be commended.
The Music Shop is a beautiful story because it makes one question not only the ability to change, but how willing we all are to stand by, and watch the world go by without us, just to prove a point.
A truly lovely read.
edlib's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved Frank’s music knowledge and passion. I was fascinated with the way he paired music outside of genre, making connections that were so utterly amazing. That part of the book was outstanding. The unity of the people on unity street was very charming and enjoyable. I liked the backstory of Ilse and the mystery of her past. I liked the flashbacks about Peg and how she shaped Frank. Although I was left wondering why he was named Frank, when music was her life. Was it for Sinatra? That explanation would have really helped.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
However, this book fell apart as it approached the ending. The time jump was not satisfying or even credible to the story. I did not find it believable.
But, 3/4 of the book was perfect with wonderful narrative & characters. I just pretend the book ends before the fire.
bethc10017's review against another edition
5.0
Rachel Joyce is a master of beautiful, evocative imagery. The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry was one of my favourite books and this one is now also! A beautifully composed book with relatable, special characters. This book is so fulfilling! I loved it!
zcc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.0
stephaniecs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
sarah1001's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
3.0
snipinfool's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Music Shop told the story of a group of shopkeepers on Unity Street in Castlegate, England. The main character, Frank, owned a music shop that sold vinyl. Frank had a knack for knowing just the right song for when a customer was looking for new music. His shop was a bit run down and contained many fixtures he created on his own. It was quirky and suited his needs. The other shops on the small retail strip were a funeral home, a bakery, a religious gift shop, a florist, and a tattoo artist. One shop was empty. Each of the shop owners was friendly and supported each other. Their shops were not in a popular area for shopping and didn’t get a lot of traffic. One day, a woman was seen looking into the window of the music shop. She fainted and Frank rushed out to bring her inside. The woman, Ilse, recently moved to town. Later, Ilse returned to the shop and Frank learned that she knew little about music. Music was an integral part of Frank’s life and he was happy to share what he knew. As time passed, there were changes to the shops on Unity Street and between Frank and Ilse.
This was a sweet story. I really liked Frank. He loved matching music and his customers. Ilse was a big mystery for a large part of the book. I don’t really understand the author’s reasoning behind that. I would have enjoyed learning her story earlier. The other shopkeepers were an interesting mix. All were concerned about being able to stay in business, but it didn’t seem like they made plans to remedy that. It was like they let life happen to them. I enjoyed the ending of the book and it left me with a smile. All in all, it was a nice read.
This was a sweet story. I really liked Frank. He loved matching music and his customers. Ilse was a big mystery for a large part of the book. I don’t really understand the author’s reasoning behind that. I would have enjoyed learning her story earlier. The other shopkeepers were an interesting mix. All were concerned about being able to stay in business, but it didn’t seem like they made plans to remedy that. It was like they let life happen to them. I enjoyed the ending of the book and it left me with a smile. All in all, it was a nice read.