axhlo's review against another edition
3.0
This feels like a novel wth a lot of potential. While it was certainly a good read, I feel like it just didn't take enough time to really show (not tell) us who the characters really were. Another 100 pages in the right hands could have done wonders for the story. The moment I really began to feel I would need more was at the first time jump after Part 1. I felt that I was just getting used to the characters and getting to know who they were when we were suddenly thrust a few years ahead and expected to roll with it. Having played in all kinds of different ensembles myself (orchestras, quartets, trios, etc) I know there is a lot of weird tension and drama and unexpected bonds that can form when you play with the same people long enough. But I feel like this novel only really scratched the surface of what that looks like and how it can mold your personality over time. Personally I'd have liked to see the story told more chronologically without the time jumps forward (or maybe just fewer of them). I would've also liked to see more full group dynamics outside of the context of them rehearsing and performing. But regardless, a fine debut showing a lot of potential!
fueledbywords's review against another edition
4.0
I initially picked this book because of the beautiful cover and decided to love it because of the not so beautiful people inside. This is a story of finding the ugliest part of the people you love and sitting with it until you find that same ugliness in you. We all have a bit of darkness hiding waiting for someone to shine a light on it and love us any way.
shariki's review against another edition
4.0
My choice for book club! I've wanted to read this for almost two years so I'm glad I finally got the chance. Reading The Ensemble started out slowly for me, and I'll admit that it took me a while to get into it: I read the first 50% in two weeks, and the last 50% in one night. C'est la vie!
This book was really interesting and conflicting for me. I am usually not as drawn to male protagonists when there are perfectly good female characters waiting for me to analyze and adore them, so color me surprised when my favorite character turned out to be Henry! Brit and Jana were also great, but I felt that they were less developed unfortunately. I was happy that Kimiko got a chapter to herself and some character traits other than the dutiful wife/mom. Daniel sucked for the first half of the book, and became only tolerable in the remainder. I wanted to relate to his background, but he was so combative and also dismissive to the women in his life that I just... couldn't.
I wasn't in love with how the book was structured. The book takes us through almost 20 years with the Van Ness, but we only heard from each character's POV every 10 years. There was a lot that happened between Jana's 1994 chapters and 2003 chapter, for instance. I think that the characters (their motivations, desires, etc) would have been clearer to me if each person had a chapter in each section of the book, or once every few years. This was the only thing that kept me from giving The Ensemble five stars. That, and Daniel's obsession with areolas in his first chapter (do you WANT me to hate his character??).
Anyways, I still loved this book. As a girl who had a two-year stint as an elementary school violinist, I loved hearing about the classical music world and the intricacies of playing as a quartet. I think that there are some similarities with singing in a choir/acapella group, which I had more experience with. Finding the right sound is so important! I loved the themes of families and found families. I loved the SF and NYC settings, of course. Most of all, I loved the friendship of these four very different people, bound together with creativity and the love of their craft, to create beautiful and meaningful art.
This book was really interesting and conflicting for me. I am usually not as drawn to male protagonists when there are perfectly good female characters waiting for me to analyze and adore them, so color me surprised when my favorite character turned out to be Henry! Brit and Jana were also great, but I felt that they were less developed unfortunately. I was happy that Kimiko got a chapter to herself and some character traits other than the dutiful wife/mom. Daniel sucked for the first half of the book, and became only tolerable in the remainder. I wanted to relate to his background, but he was so combative and also dismissive to the women in his life that I just... couldn't.
I wasn't in love with how the book was structured. The book takes us through almost 20 years with the Van Ness, but we only heard from each character's POV every 10 years. There was a lot that happened between Jana's 1994 chapters and 2003 chapter, for instance. I think that the characters (their motivations, desires, etc) would have been clearer to me if each person had a chapter in each section of the book, or once every few years.
Spoiler
For instance, I would have loved to see Brit's POV during Daniel's first failed marriage. I know that we see some of her reaction through other characters, but it wasn't enough for me. Some other things I would've liked to be explored more were the Henry/Daniel dynamic at the beginning of the book, and how Jana came to the decision to suddenly adopt a child.Anyways, I still loved this book. As a girl who had a two-year stint as an elementary school violinist, I loved hearing about the classical music world and the intricacies of playing as a quartet. I think that there are some similarities with singing in a choir/acapella group, which I had more experience with. Finding the right sound is so important! I loved the themes of families and found families. I loved the SF and NYC settings, of course. Most of all, I loved the friendship of these four very different people, bound together with creativity and the love of their craft, to create beautiful and meaningful art.
rglossner's review against another edition
4.0
Young talented classical musicians Jana, Brit, Daniel, and Henry form the string quartet at the center of this novel. Friendships, love affairs, marriages, children, success, and failure are explored and considered as the story follows the quartet for 20 years. A look at the world of classical music from the inside.
rachelaault's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I was really invested in the beginning of this book, but found myself bored and annoyed by the characters as the book went on. Also, I thought it was way too long and could have been wrapped up much earlier.
devonmaree's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the style of writing and the progression of the characters lives over decades, but I didn't find myself connecting with any of them. I also found the description and emphasis on the music too heavy. So if you don't play chamber music, a lot of this book will be confusing.
thain's review against another edition
3.0
Alternating perspectives by members of a quartet at various points in their career. A lot of time spent in the characters' heads (and head hopping into each other's sections), mulling, musing, dwelling and overanalyzing. Some nice music imagery and background info on the classical music business.
chelseamartinez's review against another edition
5.0
I'm predisposed to enjoy this book because strangely the author has lived many places that I have lived (LA, Bay Area, South Texas, Charlottesville) and because I, though musically untalented, made many close musician friends in college. Anyhow, I think regardless of my biases it's a well-written set of character studies and a great story about collaboration. The central romance gets a bit caught up in itself in a swoony way in the end (I don't mean this cynically, just tonally it shifted in a way that felt like it thought I needed to be further persuaded when I didn't), but I loved it and am giving it as a Christmas gift.
christiek's review against another edition
Gave up 100 pages in. I didn’t connect with these characters at all. They snipped endlessly at each other in their internal monologues, and I felt only disdain from Gabel for her characters. If she doesn’t care for them, why should I? Also, the writing kept having weirdly inserted details that were distracting.