Author: Jean Echenoz Year: 2006 Rank: Rating: Original Rating: Pop Rating: Genres/categories: Fiction, Music, Historical fiction
Purchase/reserch links:
ISBNs: 9781595581150 9782707319302 1595581154 2707319309 |
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Ravel is a beguiling and original evocation of the last ten years in the life of the musical genius Ravel, written by novelist Jean Echenoz.
The book opens in 1928 as Maurice Ravel--dandy, eccentric, curmudgeon--crosses the Atlantic abroad the luxury liner the SS France to begin his triumphant grand tour of the United States. A "master magician of the French novel" (The Washington Post), Echenoz captures the folly of the era as well as its genius, including Ravel's personal life--sartorially and socially splendid--as well as his most successful compositions from 1927 to 1937.
Illuminated by flashes of Echenoz's characteristically sly humor, Ravel is a delightfully quirky portrait of a famous musician coping with the ups and downs of his illustrious career. It is also a beautifully written novel that's a deeply touching farewell to a dignified and lonely man going reluctantly into the night.
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