An Equal Music - (Vintage International) by Vikram Seth (Paperback)

About the Book

Against the magical backdrops of Venice and Vienna, two lovers confront the truth about themselves and their love, about the music that both unites and divides them, and about a devastating secret that one of them must reveal.

Book Synopsis

The author of the international bestseller A Suitable Boy returns with a powerful and deeply romantic tale of two gifted musicians. Michael Holme is a violinist, a member of the successful Maggiore Quartet. He has long been haunted, though, by memories of the pianist he loved and left ten years earlier, Julia McNicholl. Now Julia, married and the mother of a small child, unexpectedly reenters his life and the romance flares up once more.

Against the magical backdrop of Venice and Vienna, the two lovers confront the truth about themselves and their love, about the music that both unites and divides them, and about a devastating secret that Julia must finally reveal. With poetic, evocative writing and a brilliant portrait of the international music scene, An Equal Music confirms Vikram Seth as one of the world's finest and most enticing writers.

From the Back Cover

The author of the international bestseller A Suitable Boy returns with a powerful and deeply romantic tale of two gifted musicians. Michael Holme is a successful violinist, part of the famous Maggiore Quartet. He has long been haunted, though, by memories of the beautiful pianist he loved ten years earlier, Julia McNicholl. Then one day Julia comes back into his life: married now, with a small child and a devastating secret.

The romance flares up once more, as Julia agrees to tour Vienna and Venice with Michael and the Quartet. Against the magical backdrop of concert halls and canals, Michael and Julia confront the truth about themselves, their love, and the music that both unites and divides them. A tour de force of romance and a superb picture of the international music scene, An Equal Music confirms Vikram Seth as one of the world's finest and most enticing writers.

Review Quotes

"A beautifully written novel of music, romance, and the endless search for transcendent passion....A joy to read." -The Baltimore Sun

"Seth depicts, with Canaletto-like skill, the shimmering air and light of Venice at dawn, even as he neatly reproduces the loving tensions of the Maggiore [Quartet]." -The Washington Post

"A gift for any reader and a must-read for music lovers and musicians." -The Christian Science Monitor

About the Author

Vikram Seth divides his time between India and London.