The Music Shop

By Rachel Joyce

Book Overview

"An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story."--People

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES (UK) AND THE WASHINGTON POST

It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop's owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people's needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music--and love--in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction.

Praise for The Music Shop

"Captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance."--The Washington Post

"Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page."--The Boston Globe

"Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this novel] will be without question one of the year's best."--BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction)

"Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. The Music Shop] will surprise you."--Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce's detailed knowledge of--and passion for--music."--The Guardian

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812986563
• ISBN13: 9780812986563
• Release Date: November 2018
• Publisher: Random House Trade
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Gift

The copy was in like new condition. Pleased to give as a gift.

One of my favorite book

This was the first book I read by Rachel Joyce and now I’ve read almost all of her books. I loved this story all the way to the end! Rachel Joyce is a fantastic writer, I highly recommend any of her books.

I’m not a reader, but so good

Quick thing about me. I’m a guy, I don’t particularly like any love novels and I really don’t like to read a lot. I’m also an professional musician. This book made me fall in love with music again and it also had a fantastic story behind it. I think as a man this is also informative of our own toxic masculinity which at times hinders us from great opportunities as you see in the main character. I love this book!