Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Obtained from: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Read: March 31, 2014
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Maria Callas as Violetta in La traviata, 1958 |
Ultimately neither played much of a role, but that doesn't mean I was disappointed. Pino, for one, is a fabulous protagonist. He is talented and ambitious despite his humble upbringing, but he has a tendency to be somewhat indecisive, overly sensitive and smug. In short, he's a very believable and well-balanced character, someone the reader can both root for and relate to. I was similarly struck by Maestro Franco Ivaldi, whose supporting role is memorable despite its brevity.
Also of note, the operatic themes that are woven throughout the story. Strictly speaking, Danish doesn't offer a lot of explicit exposition for those unfamiliar with the material, but his obvious affinity for the subject matter and deft manipulation of the content make the patterns and motifs easy to interpret.
Ideally I would have liked closure with characters like Allesandro, Captain Biaggi and Captain Adamo and I personally found the shifting point of views distracting, especially when Danish turned to characters like Mr. Vaggi and Gia. Certain scenes, like the incident with the veal chops and Maria's infatuation with The Beatles seemed out of place and awkward within Pino's story and I think the ending might have been stronger if Maria Callas had enjoyed a more prominent role or served as a second narrator over the course of the book.
All told, The Tenor is an interesting piece that brings to light a fascinating story and though I felt it a bit rough in places, I can honestly say I enjoyed the time I spent with it.
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It was not real and he was not pining for her. It was the dreamy illusion of an inexperienced heart. Nevertheless, he cursed her and he cursed Captain Adamo. He cried, “Maladicione!” like Rigoletto before him, but he knew it would be equally fruitless. Why didn’t curses ever work out in real life like they did in the opera?
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Check out all the stops on Peter Danish's The Tenor Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Thursday, April 3
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Review & Giveaway at She is Too Fond of Books
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Review & Giveaway at She is Too Fond of Books
Friday, April 4
Review at Closed the Cover
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Kelsey’s Book Corner
Review at Princess of Eboli
Review at Closed the Cover
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Review at Kelsey’s Book Corner
Review at Princess of Eboli
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