- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; First Edition edition (6 July 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 074759869X
- ISBN-13: 978-0747598695
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.4 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 324,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Devil's Music
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Product Description
Review
`A powerful and deeply affecting story of the bond between a mother and her children ... Jane Rusbridge is a brilliant new voice' --Alison Macleod
`Jane Rusbridge has a gift for evoking both characters and place ... Sensuously written and beautifully woven together, the various strands of the story converge in a heartrending - and heartwarming - climax' --Kathy Page
'Beautifully written and a real page turner'
--Essentials --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
`Jane Rusbridge has a gift for evoking both characters and place ... Sensuously written and beautifully woven together, the various strands of the story converge in a heartrending - and heartwarming - climax' --Kathy Page
'Beautifully written and a real page turner'
--Essentials --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Review
'This intricately structured, brilliantly observed modern take on a family saga is both passionate and moving and the prose snaps, crackles and pops with gorgeous detail' Lesley Glaister 'Vividly and intensely written' Jane Rogers, author of Mr Wroe's Virgins 'Jane Rusbridge has a gift for evoking both characters and place - The Devil's Music was pure pleasure to read. Sensuously written and beautifully woven together, the various strands of the story converge in a heartrending - and heartwarming - climax' Kathy Page, author of The Story of My Face 'The Devil's Music is that rare thing, a novel that is as bold as it is subtle. It's a powerful and deeply affecting story of the bond between a mother and her children. It's also a sharp expose of the devastating effects of the taboos that govern motherhood Jane Rusbridge is a brilliant new voice. She evokes hearth-and-home in 1950s Britain with terrific delicacy. This story is fresh, vivid - and startlingly contemporary' Alison MacLeod, author of The Changeling
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This first novel by author Jane Rusbridge caught my eye because it starts with a Glossary of Knots! I put it on the To Read pile. Then I picked it up and read the first chapter; a bad habit. Then I had to read it.
The book is stylishly written with an attention to detail which put me right back in the late 50s/early 60s of my childhood. The construction of the novel is cleverly designed to draw you in; well, it drew me in.
The opening chapter details a moment of everyday ordinariness which turns, in a split second, into a moment of nightmarish, life-changing horror. That tiny fraction of time when a life changes for ever.
The book is composed in five parts. In the first part, apparently unconnected stories of different people in differing times and places are laid down. The second and third parts find these stories touching, crossing, connecting and becoming clearer. In the fourth part of the book, the beauty of the pattern of this story has emerged and in the final part all strands are joined in a satisfying and interesting way. Rather like the tying of a complex knot I guess.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters written from the perspective of a nine year old boy, reminding me of Dirk Bogardes wonderful 'Great Meadow'. How might you feel when faced with a plate of Spam, lumpy mashed potato and beetroot? Yuk!
Very British, pleasingly understated and written in an entertaining style, the book touches on issues of interpersonal relationships, obsession, social taboos even the borderline-autism of the male mind.
I was left with a slight regret when I finished the book and feel a little jealous of those who haven't yet read it. That's how I usually feel when I finish a great book.
Thus, five stars.
The book is stylishly written with an attention to detail which put me right back in the late 50s/early 60s of my childhood. The construction of the novel is cleverly designed to draw you in; well, it drew me in.
The opening chapter details a moment of everyday ordinariness which turns, in a split second, into a moment of nightmarish, life-changing horror. That tiny fraction of time when a life changes for ever.
The book is composed in five parts. In the first part, apparently unconnected stories of different people in differing times and places are laid down. The second and third parts find these stories touching, crossing, connecting and becoming clearer. In the fourth part of the book, the beauty of the pattern of this story has emerged and in the final part all strands are joined in a satisfying and interesting way. Rather like the tying of a complex knot I guess.
I particularly enjoyed the chapters written from the perspective of a nine year old boy, reminding me of Dirk Bogardes wonderful 'Great Meadow'. How might you feel when faced with a plate of Spam, lumpy mashed potato and beetroot? Yuk!
Very British, pleasingly understated and written in an entertaining style, the book touches on issues of interpersonal relationships, obsession, social taboos even the borderline-autism of the male mind.
I was left with a slight regret when I finished the book and feel a little jealous of those who haven't yet read it. That's how I usually feel when I finish a great book.
Thus, five stars.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A beautifully written story that will take you back to the 50s; you'll be captured by lino, candlewick bedspreads and apple snow as much as the memories of days on the beach!
With vivid portrayal of relationships and a brilliant ability to bring to painful life the contrasting realities of their experience; this writer still leaves you with a sense of hope.
This is an amazing first novel and one that is hard to put down. It's depth is enthralling - don't miss it.
With vivid portrayal of relationships and a brilliant ability to bring to painful life the contrasting realities of their experience; this writer still leaves you with a sense of hope.
This is an amazing first novel and one that is hard to put down. It's depth is enthralling - don't miss it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An enthralling tale- I really cared about the characters and their intense relationships.The threads of the story were woven together so cleverly building to a thrilling climax.
Jane Rusbridge has written a novel which has a central theme of knots, quite unique in my reading experience. Beautifully worded descriptions evoked strong nostalgia for the seaside holidays of my childhood.
This is story telling at its best.
Jane Rusbridge has written a novel which has a central theme of knots, quite unique in my reading experience. Beautifully worded descriptions evoked strong nostalgia for the seaside holidays of my childhood.
This is story telling at its best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Devils Music
The Devils Music is one of those fantastic books, that draws you in, right from the start. I couldn't wait to get back to it's pages and, when I wasn't reading it, I was constantly... Read more
Published 16 days ago by George Allan
Absorbing, and so beautifully written
It's not often that I stay up till 2am reading a novel, but this was one of those times. I went to bed early, also, and woke early, wanting to read, wanting to know. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Alba
A Beautiful Book
I had heard nothing but praise for this book and was keen to read it for myself so I nudged it up the TBR pile. And I am very glad I did. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nettie Thomson
a curious read ...
A very good "read" written in an evocative and visually descriptive way which I found difficult to put down... Read more
Published 5 months ago by whitedove
Captivating and Compelling
Captivating and compelling, this book delayed my Christmas shopping and stole my sleep. Beautifully written the story tells of heartrending family pain and betrayal with... Read more
Published 5 months ago by S. C. Uden
the Devil's Music
This is a superbly written novel. The descriptions vividly conjure up the seaside out of season, with the salty air and the stiff winds. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Earwig
A deeply moving Family saga
The Devilfs Music is the debut novel by Jane Rusbridge.
A story set in the late 1950s. A family have to come to terms with a Daughter that is "not quite all there"... Read more
A story set in the late 1950s. A family have to come to terms with a Daughter that is "not quite all there"... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lougrahamii
Understated and compelling
This looks like the type of book I might pick up in a bookshop, read the blurb and then put back; indeed I think I may even have done exactly that. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Rowena
A Stunning Read
There are very few books I finish in twenty-four hours, The Devil's Music has been one of them. This book will draw you in from the first paragraph, as Jane Rusbridge creates an... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Joanna Cannon
Love laid bare
The Devil's Music is a novel about love laid bare; painful, irresistible, believable love in all its forms. Read more
Published 12 months ago by DJ Kirkby
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