Set in Canada during the 1930s, A Secret Music is the story of a musical prodigy born into an extremely dysfunctional family. Each member of the family has their own drama. One son is the focus of the mother to the exclusion of her other two children, while the ignored daughter seeks attention in any way she can. Another young son develops a fatal medical problem which is ignored by everyone around him. The father is driven by the need for money and success. And in the midst of it all, music is the glue holding everything together despite the chaos.
Author, Susan Doherty Hannaford, takes readers through a gamut of emotions as she describes, in detail, the tensions and fears of a true perfectionist. Depression in many of its frightening aspects is presented in this revealing glimpse into the delusions of a person struggling with mental illness. Powerful prose brings swelling emotions to the forefront with swings from deep sadness to ecstatic elation, moments of intense love and contentment, as well as elements of deep melancholy.
An appreciation and knowledge of music (especially classical music) would enhance the reader’s experience; but even without a grasp of the classics this story presents music as a pervasive influence quite beautifully. A Secret Music is highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
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