Partita

Livia Cable grows up in the rural South with an unkind mother, a passive father, and a childhood overwhelmed by the devastating loss of her brother. Her refuge is the piano, always. Music is not just something Livia plays, it is how she understands the world, translating feelings and experiences into notes and rhythm. Livia is determined to pursue her extraordinary talent, and finds her own way to college with the assistance of a caring teacher. It is there that she meets a man who becomes the other great passion of her life. Their connection is as deep and consuming as her love for music. When tragedy changes the direction of Livia’s future, she returns to the farming community where she grew up and builds a very different life from the one she always imagined. Barbara Kingsolver writes beautifully about grief, family, class, love, and the complicated choices that shape us. She perfectly captures the relationship between an artist and her art. This story dragged a little for me, and I found the final chapter unnecessary and unsatisfying. Despite those reservations, I still enjoyed Partita and think it is a worthwhile read.