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Look Inside | Reading Guide
Reading Guide
Dec 07, 2010 | ISBN 9780307473042 Buy
Dec 08, 2009 | ISBN 9780307378385 Buy
Dec 08, 2009 | ISBN 9780307378668 Buy
Also available from:
Available from:
Dec 07, 2010 | ISBN 9780307473042
Dec 08, 2009 | ISBN 9780307378385
Dec 08, 2009 | ISBN 9780307378668
A heart-warming stand alone novel about the life-affirming powers of music and company during a time of war, from the best-selling and beloved author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. When Lavender, La to her friends, moves to the Suffolk countryside, it’s not just to escape the London Blitz but also to flee the wreckage of a disastrous marriage. But as she starts to become a part of the community, she detects a sense of isolation. Her deep love of music and her desire to bring people together inspire her to start an orchestra. Little did she know that through this orchestra she would not only give hope and courage to the people of the community, but also that she would meet a man, Feliks, a shy upright Pole, who would change her life forever.
From the best-selling author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series comes a delightful and moving story that celebrates the healing powers of friendship and music. It is 1939. Lavender—La to her friends—decides to flee London, not only to avoid German bombs but also to escape the memories of her shattered marriage. The peace and solitude of the small town she settles in are therapeutic . . . at least at first. As the war drags on, La is in need of some diversion and wants to boost the town’s morale, so she organizes an amateur orchestra, drawing musicians from the village and the local RAF base. Among the strays she corrals is Feliks, a shy, proper Polish refugee who becomes her prized recruit—and the object of feelings she thought she’d put away forever. Does La’s orchestra save the world? The people who come to hear it think so. But what will become of it after the war is over? And what will become of La herself? And of La’s heart? With his all-embracing empathy and his gentle sense of humor, Alexander McCall Smith makes of La’s life—and love—a tale to enjoy and cherish.
ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH is the author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels and a number of other series and stand-alone books. His works have been translated into more than forty languages and have been best sellers throughout the world…. More about Alexander McCall Smith
“A metaphor for the transformative power of music…. crafted with the author’s usual wit, wisdom and grace.”—Washington Post “A big story about love, death, identity and music.”—The Lincoln Journal Star “McCall Smith’s characters are well-drawn and alive. . . . A satisfying work by a writer . . . who charms many readers.”—Providence Journal “Beautifully precise and psychologically acute.”—The Independent, London “Delightful . . . McCall Smith once again creates unforgettable characters and a story that will resonate with readers across generations . . . A fresh and unforgettable story about the power of human kindness. Highly recommended.”—Booklist (starred review)“The evocation of war-torn England, with its palpable mood of defiance, determination and survival, is beautifully caught . . . An excellent recreation of a woman of her time.”—The Scotsman“Unlike anything else in McCall Smith’s work.” —The Independent “Alexander McCall Smith writes about the enduring, patient qualities of love . . . The novel pays heed to our national yearning for a story to chew on.”—The Times (London) “A gentle and uplifting read.”—The Daily Mail
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