An Equal Music A Novel

When you like a book, the characters in it are a major contributor. But what if I tell you, you can like a book even if you don't really like any of the characters in it? I never thought it would be possible. Good writing is necessary, sure. But characters make or break a book. This book changed my mind. What did I like about this book then, you ask? The beautiful, beautiful Vikram Seth. Despite the irritating characters and their love story, I loved the book! It's not easy to find a book lovely despite the constantly annoying characters doing rounds in its pages but with his beautiful language, Vikram Seth makes sure you empathise with his characters and all the emotions they go through in this story the way you will feel for your most favourite characters. I know, it's weird! Oh, what words! His words flow smoother than a river. It's a poem in prose! No, no. The book isn't a novel at all, it's a musical! Even though I didn't understand the making of the music, I eagerly devoured his words. If only this book was accompanied by a CD of the music mentioned in it! I love the way he has described the cities, nature, feelings, emotions, love, yearning, heartbreak. I love the way he has described the concerts they do, the music they make and even their rehearsals. Each and every word is like honey dripping off the pages. The writing leaves me very full. I will share a few quotes from the book. "To lose touch----and hearing and smell and taste and sight." "Dying, undying, a dying fall, a rise: the waves of sound well around us even as we generate them: Helen and I at the heart and, to either side, Piers and Billy. Our eyes are on our music; we hardly glance at each other, but we cue and are cued as if Haydn himself were our conductor. A strange composite being we are, not ourselves any more but the Maggiore, composed of so many disjunct parts: chairs, stands, music, bows, instruments, musicians- sitting, standing, shifting, sounding- all to produce these complex vibrations that jog the inner ear, and through them the grey mass that says: joy; love; sorrow; beauty." "Winters will pass, and lips remain unkissed, and heart unsoothed, and hands and ears unlinked." "Music, such music, is a sufficient gift. Why ask for happiness; why hope not to grieve? It is enough, it is to be blessed enough, to live from day to day and to hear such music- not too much, or the soul could not sustain it- from time to time."