Maestro [Paperback]

This story begins in 1967 and is set in Darwin, in the Northern Territory, in Australia. Darwin hangs on the edge of Australia, far from the `cultured' society of the south. It is not much more than a country, `Outback' town. The influence of Asia looms strong. Its inhabitants swelter in the moist, blazing temperatures. The locals pride themselves on how much beer they can drink. It is a place that readily accepts the rejects and fugitives of society. To this town, at the ends of civilization, comes the Crabbe family: Paul, a year eleven student; his mother, a housewife and ex-librarian; and Mr. Crabbe, a doctor who has been forced to this place in order to accept a promotion. The Crabbes are all interested in music and all play the piano. His parents have much hope for Paul's musical talents. They enroll their son for classes with the only piano instructor in town: Eduard Keller. Keller lives in a room above the local bar, and, frequently accompanied by a bottle of schnapps, gives the impression of being as hopeless as any other looser that has drifted into town. But Paul quickly learns that Keller is no ordinary drunk. The lessons seem unconventional, but Keller lets it slip that none other than the great composer Liszt taught his own teacher. Keller is indeed a `maestro' and has much to teach Paul. But how did Keller reach this paltry life? How did he come to be in so obscure a place as Darwin?

This is a book about perfection sought for and never achieved. It is about culture's highest achievements. It is also about the arrogance and pettiness of man, about how even the best of us are flawed. Primarily this novel is about how a man, through indifference, or willful blindness, can loose his way, can throw away his life. Last, but not lest, this is a novel exploring the love/hate relationship of pupil and teacher. There is much to think about in this book and it will indeed stay in your mind long after you have read it.

In part this is a turning-of-age novel and the character of Paul changes and grows. Much of the book covers the years 1967 and 1968, but we also briefly see Paul in 1974, 1975 and 1977. The character of Keller remains static, but the novel slowly reveals the mystery of how he came to be as he is. Mr. And Mrs. Crabbe are minor but ably drawn creations. Their amiable bantering and strong, shared passion for music adds color to the book.

The novel is written in the style of a memoir and reads very smoothly. Though the themes are deep, this is not a difficult book to read and it indeed charms the reader admirably. There is considerably humor in the text, though ultimately it is quite serious in tone.

Goldsworthy began his career as a poet, then published three collections of short stories and this is his first novel. <Maestro> was first published in 1989. The book gives some of the flavor of life in `outback' Australia, but the reader does not need to know anything of the culture of that society to understand or enjoy the text.