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Maestro AR Classics Peter Goldsworthy 9780207197741 Books

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Maestro AR Classics Peter Goldsworthy 9780207197741 Books

This was the book that got me started on Goldsworthy, an author whose books I’ve had a turbulent relationship with. Hence my review of Wish, I think the only book in several hundred reviews that I’ve given a dual rating of B+/F. And while the love/hate thing is there, there’s been a pattern of steady decline in my praise, from the heights of this book and ‘Little Deaths’, through to my decision to never read another Goldsworthy after the irredeemable Three Dog Night.

But, wow, Maestro.

I didn’t relish it as I did on the first reading, nor did I find (as I have in many other second readings) unexpected pleasures as a different reader a decade or two on. In fact I remembered the events and even their order pretty clearly. I’m not exactly sure why – maybe I hadn’t read a book like this before and it made a real impression on me. I suppose one thing that did hit me was how my emotional reaction to the sexual betrayal was much more muted this time around: I suppose I was expecting it, but there’s also years of wear on my zeal. I was perhaps more aware this time around of how the narrator’s self-contempt permeates the story: you’re so clearly seeing the episodes from the perspective of an older self, often cringing at his youthful vanity or self-absorption. I suspect that was one of the things that really resonated with me on the first reading – maybe in my 20s I was much more aware of teen overconfidence leading to indiscretions I so wished I could relive. There’s also the musical connection. As a long time player it was interesting having Goldsworthy kicking around that talent vs. genius thing, and I liked that he included a character like Paul’s mum, who could thoroughly enjoy playing music well without the need to be one in a million.

It seems humility disappears from several authors that I enjoy less as they get older. They seem to slide from questioning and even laughing at themselves to only be able to see how other people are stupid (Lodge, Lively, maybe Elton, although he has more consistently been fueled by condemning others – maybe it’s a comedian thing: so many comedians base their shtick on saying why other people are stupid, especially soft targets (the sublimely overrated Tim Minchen the king in a hotly contested field) – it’s so refreshing when you get one that can laugh at their own foibles and double standards).

But, yeah, Maestro. It’s a great book, well observed, it feels honest, constructed ably, paced well. Do yourself a favour etc.


Tags : Maestro (A&R Classics) [Peter Goldsworthy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Against the backdrop of Darwin - that small, tropical hothouse of a port, half-outback, half-oriental,Peter Goldsworthy,Maestro (A&R Classics),HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd,0207197741,0813-WS0601-A01005-0207197741,Fiction General,General & Literary Fiction,Modern fiction

Maestro AR Classics Peter Goldsworthy 9780207197741 Books Reviews

Peter Goldsworthy makes an amazing debut to the novel platform. This has to be the best book written by an Australian ever.

Firstly, and most importantly - the characters. Keller, the Maestro, left me breathless and still does on re-readings. His seemingly drunken ramblings on the Nazi era and on the vulgarity of human nature ring with a startlingly frank and horrible truth - "It WOULD be funny, if so much did not depend on it" he says of a 'carrols by candle light riot' news headline.

Paul Crabbe, our aspiring pianist, is an excellent portralyal of the teenage years, and J.K. Rowling would do well to consider this (her 'teenage-angst' Harry is simple and sickeningly obvious - give teenagers the credit Goldsworthy does!). The arragance that comes with intellect, especially in the teenage years, is well conveyed in Maestro and Paul's relationship with Rosie treated perfectly by Goldsworthy (are you listening to this, JKR?!?!).

I enjoyed this book particularly because i'm an aspiring concert classical guitarist. Goldsworthy seems to command a perfect understanding of what its like to aspire to something so difficult. The book's final sentence is poetic and beautiful, and gets the issue in one. He even shows an impecable knowledge of classical music that makes this book much less irritating than say 'Asturias' or 'the Mozart Maulers'(which was very pretentious).

Keller's theories on music are brilliant and Goldsworthy deserves credit "the best music is neither beautiful nor ugly. Like the world, it is infinitly complex. Full of nuance. Rich beyond any reduction"

I don't usually like to qoute texts for an review, and the fact that i've done so twice for this says something about the beautiful writting. Goldsworthy writes poetically, witout the self-indulgence of a poet. The descriptions of Darwin, Adeleide, music, life, and- especially - Kellar's study, are amazing.

Writting of this quality alone would get a 5/5. But Goldsworthy goes the next step - he edits. One would expect a writer with such beauty at his fingertips to indulge in endless ramblings, descriptions of flowers, etc etc. Not so Goldsworthy. The book is trim and fast paced at little more than 100 pages, it can easily be read in a sitting. This excellent structural craftsmenship and narrative flare make Maestro not just an excellent read, but a work of high art.

Bravo, Maestro.
Thousands of novels are published every year, and the vast majority wind up remaindered and pulped. Not this one! This book is well-nigh unforgettable, a unique coming-of-age story that happens in two utterly different worlds.

The first world is a typical high-school, where the young (14yo?) protagonist does all the usual high-school things.

The second world is the rarified world of search for musical excellence. Our young hero lives in Darwin, and the only decent piano teacher in Darwin happens to be an Austrian refugee who once was one of the best concert pianists in the world.

To say anything more would spoil the story, so I won't. I'll just say that you may not enjoy this book if classical music bores you stiff. It's a fascinating tale of the growing relation between master and pupil.

Very well-written, and highly recommended!!

-----------Further thought----------------
This could be made into a wonderful film.
This was the book that got me started on Goldsworthy, an author whose books I’ve had a turbulent relationship with. Hence my review of Wish, I think the only book in several hundred reviews that I’ve given a dual rating of B+/F. And while the love/hate thing is there, there’s been a pattern of steady decline in my praise, from the heights of this book and ‘Little Deaths’, through to my decision to never read another Goldsworthy after the irredeemable Three Dog Night.

But, wow, Maestro.

I didn’t relish it as I did on the first reading, nor did I find (as I have in many other second readings) unexpected pleasures as a different reader a decade or two on. In fact I remembered the events and even their order pretty clearly. I’m not exactly sure why – maybe I hadn’t read a book like this before and it made a real impression on me. I suppose one thing that did hit me was how my emotional reaction to the sexual betrayal was much more muted this time around I suppose I was expecting it, but there’s also years of wear on my zeal. I was perhaps more aware this time around of how the narrator’s self-contempt permeates the story you’re so clearly seeing the episodes from the perspective of an older self, often cringing at his youthful vanity or self-absorption. I suspect that was one of the things that really resonated with me on the first reading – maybe in my 20s I was much more aware of teen overconfidence leading to indiscretions I so wished I could relive. There’s also the musical connection. As a long time player it was interesting having Goldsworthy kicking around that talent vs. genius thing, and I liked that he included a character like Paul’s mum, who could thoroughly enjoy playing music well without the need to be one in a million.

It seems humility disappears from several authors that I enjoy less as they get older. They seem to slide from questioning and even laughing at themselves to only be able to see how other people are stupid (Lodge, Lively, maybe Elton, although he has more consistently been fueled by condemning others – maybe it’s a comedian thing so many comedians base their shtick on saying why other people are stupid, especially soft targets (the sublimely overrated Tim Minchen the king in a hotly contested field) – it’s so refreshing when you get one that can laugh at their own foibles and double standards).

But, yeah, Maestro. It’s a great book, well observed, it feels honest, constructed ably, paced well. Do yourself a favour etc.