Scan barcode
jenpaul13's review against another edition
3.0
Music has a way of speaking to us and uniting us in a unique way, but how that happens is quite different in Sarah Pinsker's A Song for A New Day.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In the past, known as the Before, the government didn't interfere with gatherings such as concerts, but in the After, public congregations and music is closely regulated. Creating the diving line between the Before and the After are terror attacks and deadly viruses that have severely frightened people into remaining in their homes. Luce Cannon had a song become incredibly popular in the Before and her career was about to take off, but in the After she has to instead covertly seek her energetic thrills through underground shows. Rosemary Laws, on the other hand, has been sheltered for a majority of her life with little memory of the Before, living at home and interacting with people in Hoodspace. When a new job opportunity presents itself to Rosemary to recruit bands, she eagerly embraces it, despite needing to leave the familiar comfort and safety of her home. In seeing the world as it really is and what the illegal concerts mean to performers like Luce, finding a way to bring parts of the Before back into the After becomes a necessary challenge.
Though a generally interesting story that brings people together through art despite oppressive regulations and a not far-fetched speculation of what the future could possibly be, the story moved at a glacial pace and had time jumps that weren't well explained or contextualized, making it more difficult to read. I also found it strange that Luce and Rosemary's chapters were written using different narrative points of view (first versus third) as this caused a deeper disconnect with the characters and the story as a whole. While the world-building does take place and does offer a decent idea of the world as it currently exists, there are too many questions left unaddressed to satisfy the various questions behind how and why the world reached this point.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In the past, known as the Before, the government didn't interfere with gatherings such as concerts, but in the After, public congregations and music is closely regulated. Creating the diving line between the Before and the After are terror attacks and deadly viruses that have severely frightened people into remaining in their homes. Luce Cannon had a song become incredibly popular in the Before and her career was about to take off, but in the After she has to instead covertly seek her energetic thrills through underground shows. Rosemary Laws, on the other hand, has been sheltered for a majority of her life with little memory of the Before, living at home and interacting with people in Hoodspace. When a new job opportunity presents itself to Rosemary to recruit bands, she eagerly embraces it, despite needing to leave the familiar comfort and safety of her home. In seeing the world as it really is and what the illegal concerts mean to performers like Luce, finding a way to bring parts of the Before back into the After becomes a necessary challenge.
Though a generally interesting story that brings people together through art despite oppressive regulations and a not far-fetched speculation of what the future could possibly be, the story moved at a glacial pace and had time jumps that weren't well explained or contextualized, making it more difficult to read. I also found it strange that Luce and Rosemary's chapters were written using different narrative points of view (first versus third) as this caused a deeper disconnect with the characters and the story as a whole. While the world-building does take place and does offer a decent idea of the world as it currently exists, there are too many questions left unaddressed to satisfy the various questions behind how and why the world reached this point.
agirlcalledal's review against another edition
I would highly recommend this book, so long as you can avoid spiraling into anxiety about politics. I will probably pick up this book again after Nov.
marleens's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m always intrigued at “pandemicky” that were actually written pre-pandemic. It’s always interesting to see how an author thinks people would react in these circumstances and comparing it to our (by now) real experiences. In this case it all felt very realistic, with an added scifi edge of more technical developments to get rid of as much human contact as possible.
The two main characters were great, especially Luce. I like the character growth in Rosemary and seeing her discover the world outside and overcome her fears.
All in all it was a very powerful book, with many great quotes about human connection and the power of music.
The two main characters were great, especially Luce. I like the character growth in Rosemary and seeing her discover the world outside and overcome her fears.
All in all it was a very powerful book, with many great quotes about human connection and the power of music.
wm94's review against another edition
5.0
“Fear is a virus. Music is a virus and a vaccine and a cure.”
Fresh, contemplative, and fitting for the current pandemic we’re finding ourselves in.
Fresh, contemplative, and fitting for the current pandemic we’re finding ourselves in.
alhedrick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dylex's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
I think I've read more near-future-dystopian novels than ever this year? Particularly ones featuring a pandemic. Yeah yeah I know, that's the world we live in. A Song For A New Day still manages to feel fresh and original, and I loved its world of outlawed public gatherings and an illegal underground music network. (It manages to talk about musicians and the experience of listening to music without feeling naff). I really like Pinsker's books.
marieke_k's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thinkspink's review against another edition
4.0
See if you can imagine, in the near future, a virus causes everyone to retreat to their houses and avoid meeting in large gatherings? Now, as everyone is comfortable experiencing everything in their houses, how can live music in real venues return and compete against the large corporations who control music streaming, and therefore the whole music industry?
While it was worrying reading this plausible view of post-pandemic life, it is overall more optimistic about the future of music than I thought it would be. Any fans of both near future dystopias and watching bands in tiny sweaty venues should give this a go.
While it was worrying reading this plausible view of post-pandemic life, it is overall more optimistic about the future of music than I thought it would be. Any fans of both near future dystopias and watching bands in tiny sweaty venues should give this a go.
jimmiethekidd's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0