The Song Collector

St Just Monday Morning Reading Group 25th September 2023.

The Song Collector. Natasha Solomons.

The majority of the reading group said they enjoyed this book, finding the descriptions of the work of composers and conductors interesting and insightful. There were real friendships amongst the musicians, one reader said, and a lovely relationship between Harry and his grandson. One or two were less enthusiastic, or sceptical, about it, or thought it lacked depth. A common comment seemed to be that the book improved as it went on.

Some readers liked the musical elements and how the folk songs were subsumed into classical forms. Also the impact of the Dorset estate, and its particular traditions and localities, upon the musical compositions, was appreciated. Nostalgia played a part in it – for the old country ways, farming methods, and country houses.

We discussed the treatment of Robin as a highly gifted child, his disastrous appearance on a television ‘talent show’, and how difficult it might be to deal with such a child for the best.

In terms of how personal relationships were dealt with, our discussion gradually revealed that the treatment of Jack, who was depicted as charming but irresponsible, was a bit lacking. Why did he end up in an overly-groomed retirement estate in Florida? Why did Harry take Robin over there to see him? How did he find Jack so easily? And why did Jack agree to come home (at the end of the book) and be reconciled to Harry, with whom he had fallen out over Edie? Also, what happened to George, the other brother? Did he do away with himself? Need he (or Jack) have disappeared so much from the story? Perhaps a little more might have been made of these characters, and the threads drawn together more, we thought.

Regarding the chronology of the book, some readers found that it jumped about too much, thereby losing continuity, and that this method of telling the story was too artificial a means of retaining the reader’s attention. Others thought that this format, which essentially missed out the middle of the story (at least as a narrative), was clever, and a good example of ‘show don’t tell’.

In general the group had a favourable reaction to this book. One member started on another of Natasha Solomons’ titles.

Delightful. Lovely trip down memory lane, offering a window into English country life in bygone days.

A haunting, lyrical melody of a novel. It starts off slowly and gently as we meet Fox in his grief and it gains momemtum as it progresses. It's an exquisitely painful story about love and loss, about music and musicians, about friendship and families. If you're lookimg for a nice, gentle read with no challenges or surprises then this could be it. A cosy fireside (or poolside) story.