It’s wonderful. Beautifully written and all the RESEARCH!! Totally transporting
DR FRANCES WILSON Author, academic and critic
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…a novel that could only have been written by someone with a genuine understanding of music and the life of a musician. Frances is a pianist herself, and this shines through in the way she writes about playing, practising and the complex relationship between a musician and their instrument. The musical detail feels entirely authentic and adds real depth to the storytelling. Strongly recommended – a beautiful book!
CAROLINE SWINBURNE, author & pianist
A love letter to music
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From the sweeping beauty of music to the sweeping horror of war, F.M. Wilson’s poetic writing invites readers into relationships forged in notes, tried in battle, and the very real joys and challenges of being concert musicians. We’re invited into the disciplined, relentless hours of practicing, into the joys and terrors of performing, and most eloquently into the communication between performers that can only happen in notes. This is a must read for music lovers everywhere.
RHONDA RIZZO pianist & writer
A captivating book brimming with musical life.
Author Frances Wilson has mined – to great effect – her time at the piano and countless interviews with fellow musicians.
A wonderful accomplishment.
TW, US reader
A very good read which embraces music and musicianship with a moving story of friendship in peace and war, plus a warm recounting of deep love between the friends and families.
RB, UK READER
I’m very much enjoying Facing the Music by F M Wilson. Although set in an earlier period, it contains a great deal that would seem strikingly familiar to musicians and non-musicians today. With war in the background, (and perhaps a touch of Waugh), it manages to tackle serious themes without ever losing its sense of humour. Thoroughly recommended.
JAMES FRANCES BROWN composer & Artistic Director of Hertfordshire Festival of Music
Congrats again on your wonderful book. It caused many thoughts to surface… I was touched by your reminiscence of me and the ‘Waldstein’ Sonata in your Sutton Coldfield home! It has inspired me to return to it but I don’t know whether my technical stamina is up to it!
MM, UK reader
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Fantastic novel for music lovers. I really loved the detailed musical discussions and delighted in the musical choices you had made throughout. I also appreciated your horrific descriptions of the war and enjoyed following the twists and turns of the characters’ lives. I read the whole thing in a few days, thanks to your flowing prose.
CW, UK reader
What a fabulous book. It was so easy to identify with the two main characters – Theo and Jonathan. Like you, I spent formative years making music with friends… Your depictions of the horrors of world war 1 were disturbing and moving in equal measure.
MMcK, UK reader
I loved it. As a pianist, I so understood so much of the music descirptions and detinitely related to the learning aspects. Thanks so much for such an enjoyable read.
UK reader
I wanted to thank you for Facing the Music. I have only just started reading it but already am ‘drawn in’. So lovely to read s book that really relates to all pianists. It’s very special.
SM UK reader
