Ha anyone read this book? It's about a very succesful concert pianist undergoing a mid life crisis of confidence. He walks of stage on the opening night of a major concert series after telling the audience that he simply can't play for them.

I'm about half way through it, and can't quite decide what I think about it.

It's definately readable, although not always cheerful.

Sounds interesting - I'll check it out

Is it a true story?

No - fiction. Although the bit where he walked off stage made me think of Stephan Fry!

A central theme is the effects of being a talented star. The central character is in his 50s, alone and has no children having sacrified normal life for music. He's suddenly thinking that it hasn't been worth it. One phrase that stuck in my mind was that whilst women have a biological clock, everyone has an "emotional clock" - life had just passed him by whilst he was living a jet set life style as an internationally famous pianist. Similar theme explored in "The remains of the Day" (although that was about a butler).

The central character's world disintegrates around him after his abrupt depature from the stage. The same idea was looked at by David Lodge in "Therapy", although in a much more humourous way.

Not a cheerful book, and I havn't made my mind up about it yet, but definately interesting and worth a read. A llot about music in it. He walked off stage 'cos he just couldn't face Chopin's Funeral March Sonata.

There was quite a lot of talk about it at the Chetham's piano course, copies were on sale there.

Hi Stu

Is this it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0747580...ce&n=266239

Author: Conrad Williams.

Something for me to order from the library. Sounds interesting.

That's it!

I'm about half / a third of the way through at the moment.

Ooo, I'll have to check this out!

Sounds quite good! I'll have to check it out!