The Passion of Tasha Darsky

In this beautiful novel, world-famous concert violinist Tasha Darsky thinks she is nothing because she doesn't write music like her lover or her daughter. She views the playing of other people's compositions as a utility, not an act of creation. Yet, she imbues the notes she plays with such unkempt effusion and vibrant passion that the pieces become new under her dazzling bowing. Being a sensation is, however, actually the acidic fruit of Tasha's renunciation of the love of her life and her promise as a composer, so a reckoning and an adjustment are inevitable.... OVERTURE succeeds on so many levels: As a study of the artistic temperament. As a love story fraught with human frailty. As an exploration of modern musical theory. As transporting translation of musical emotions into words. And as a generational spiral in which Tasha, her mother (to a lesser degree), and her daughter each grapple with their talents, their loved ones, and their insecurities. Tasha and Alexandra struggle with typical mother/daughter stresses but also with their fishbowl performing life and the men they encounter. Alex calls Tasha "the Big One" -- the one who has already accomplished everything -- but Tasha knows her daughter's talents and tells her, "...I couldn't do what you do; write music like that...." OVERTURE is a penetrating, mature reflection on one fragile musical life at its center and the family, friends, mentors, and lovers who help tune it. At one point, an unforgettable character blithely and a bit pompously declares, "I believe beauty is the only thing that has a right to be anywhere it cares to be." Well, that sentiment ought to apply to this novel. It deserves to be...everywhere. Very highly recommended, especially to music lovers.

This is an amazing book! I've never written a review before, but I felt compelled to after reading this book, because I loved it so much. It is beautifully written, and also a great story. It has everything -- compelling characters, juicy plots, good storytelling, and true to life drama, between a mother and a daughter, and the other loves of their lives. It's definitely a must-read. I read it cover to cover in only a few days (I couldn't put it down!) and was so sad when it was over. I can't wait for her next book.

This novel is a remarkable achievement. It invites the reader into the inner life of a formidable musical talent, offering up a treatment of big themes (artistic genius and love) and big personalities (the narrator, her ex-boyfriend, her daughter) that's as believable as it is engrossing. If you're anything like me, you'll find yourself so swept up in this book that you'll have finished it before you realize just how ravenously you've been absorbing it. And, once you've finished, you'll find yourself missing Tasha and the other characters. And you'll envy Goldstein her knack for elegant but sure-footed prose. I can't say enough good things about this book.

I loved this book. It's very smart and well-written, AND never boring. What I think makes it so special is that intellectual, artistic/aesthetic and "everday" emotional themes are so tightly interwoven that it affects you as the reader on all levels simultaneously. Most people will relate to the love stories and the parent-child relationships, and even if you're not that interested in music or artistic creation, the characters in the book are very compelling and make the topics interesting. I agree with the comparison to Bel Canto; the book also reminded me at times of A Widow for One Year (John Irving) and The Time Traveler's Wife. I'm very much looking forward to the author's next book!

I bought this book after hearing it compared to Bel Canto, which I personally think is one of the best books of the past ten years. How did Overture compare? Well, put it this way: I took it home from the bookstore at roughly 11 am Monday, and here I am writing a review on Thursday. The story of Tasha and Alex is so moving (the ending makes you cry, but in a good way -- this is the most satisfying ending of a book I've read in a while) and so wise that it's almost impossible to believe it's a first novel. The writing is also gorgeous -- some truly brilliant descriptions that make you stop and sigh with pleasure. If you have a mother, a daughter, a love for music, or just a taste for great literature run out buy this book!!!