First published 2008
Marcus is eleven when he encounters Madam Sousatzka, the most extraordinary person he has ever met. When she offers him free piano lessons, his greatest dream seems within reach. He can finally escape his mother's pressure and become the artist he has always imagined himself to be. Life in Madam Sousatzka's house overflows with surprises, but the greatest shock comes when Marcus reveals an incredible musical talent that no one expected. Madam Sousatzka's reaction to this discovery sets everything in motion. Marcus soon realizes he faces an impossible choice between betraying his beloved teacher and burying himself completely in her house and heart. Bernice Rubens weaves together gentle humor and deep pain in this story of artistic ambition and loyalty. The novel became a film starring Shirley MacLaine as the unforgettable piano teacher. Rubens has a gift for making readers laugh out loud just when they are about to cry.
Genres: fiction, art, literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, contemporary, music, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, mentor-mentee
Period: 20th-Century
238 pages · Paperback · Can Yayınları