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The Musical Mozinskis
The Mozinskis experience music like no family you've ever met. Struggling musicians Vincent Mozinski and Grace Klinefelter marry in the early 1960s, drawn together by the shared ability to see the music they play. The two pass this unique skill along to their ever-growing family of musical prodigies: Clara, Ellington, Bix, Allegro, Thelonious, and Viola. After the children record a radio commercial for a local business, Vincent realizes the best chance of achieving his dream of musical stardom is with and through his children.
The family is tapped as one of several amateur acts to perform on a nationally televised Bicentennial celebration, leading to a recording contract and ultimately the pinnacle of 1970s stardom, their own musical variety show. The success of The Musical Mozinskis depends on the family's ability to keep churning out talented children. There's only one problem: Viola is tone deaf.
Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, The Musical Mozinskis explores the limits of family bonds and loyalties and what it means to be an artist.
The family is tapped as one of several amateur acts to perform on a nationally televised Bicentennial celebration, leading to a recording contract and ultimately the pinnacle of 1970s stardom, their own musical variety show. The success of The Musical Mozinskis depends on the family's ability to keep churning out talented children. There's only one problem: Viola is tone deaf.
Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, The Musical Mozinskis explores the limits of family bonds and loyalties and what it means to be an artist.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published March 15, 2024
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 15, 2024
When the story opens, a young Vincent Mozinski meets his match, Grace Klinefelter. Both Vincent and Grace are working musicians living in Cleveland, Ohio. Besotted with each other, they are amazed that each can "see" music as well as play it. While looking up, they can each see the musical notes that the other is playing. They decide to merge their musical talents and marry. In quick succession, Grace gives birth to six children. "The Musical Mozinskis" are born.
The parents are blessed with children who are musical prodigies (except for Viola, the youngest child). Each child plays more than one instrument; Their parents nurture their gifts. The time frame of the novel is the 1970's through the early 2000's. The famous sibling bands of the era were: The Jackson 5, The Osmonds and The Partridge Family. Readers will see the progression of the Mozinski children becoming famous. Eventually, they land a television variety show in Los Angeles. How this show affects all of their lives becomes the story.
I enjoyed getting to know each member of this talented family and reliving musical memories of the 70's. And, as a Clevelander, I loved the love song to my often misunderstood city.
3.5 stars
The parents are blessed with children who are musical prodigies (except for Viola, the youngest child). Each child plays more than one instrument; Their parents nurture their gifts. The time frame of the novel is the 1970's through the early 2000's. The famous sibling bands of the era were: The Jackson 5, The Osmonds and The Partridge Family. Readers will see the progression of the Mozinski children becoming famous. Eventually, they land a television variety show in Los Angeles. How this show affects all of their lives becomes the story.
I enjoyed getting to know each member of this talented family and reliving musical memories of the 70's. And, as a Clevelander, I loved the love song to my often misunderstood city.
3.5 stars
April 1, 2024
This book genuinely delighted me. It’s fresh, creative, and beautifully written. The characters are vivid. I love many Susan Petrone books but Musical Mozinkskis just secured its spot as my new favorite. Wow. You know it’s a good book when you aren’t ready for it to end :)
January 16, 2024
From the first page, "The Musical Mozinskis" was a delight. Susan Petrone has conjured up a fun book full of believable characters who become a uniquely musical family — the Mozinskis, in the air around them, see the notes of the music they play. Well, almost all the Mozinskis. Their gift is so assumed that while no one ever talks about it, it soon becomes clear that little Viola doesn't quite fit in.
But it's in exploring the family relationships — growing up together, performing together (and separately), real squabbles, nationally-televised success, their time on and off-stage, one near-death experience, lots of love, more squabbles, some hope and reconciliation — that I found it hard to put the book down. While there is certainly a well-written plot, the novel seems more driven by its characters' growth than by the adventures contained. Each Mozinski has a story that comes out and a challenge of one sort or another that shapes their lives. As a father and as a son, the ending was particularly satisfying to me ("Pretend"). And I love that some of the story takes place in and around Cleveland, Ohio.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author because after The Heebie-Jeebie Girl, The Super Ladies and Throw Like a Woman, I had a hard time waiting for more Petrone. I plan on reading it a couple more times once I can get my hands on a legitimate copy.
But it's in exploring the family relationships — growing up together, performing together (and separately), real squabbles, nationally-televised success, their time on and off-stage, one near-death experience, lots of love, more squabbles, some hope and reconciliation — that I found it hard to put the book down. While there is certainly a well-written plot, the novel seems more driven by its characters' growth than by the adventures contained. Each Mozinski has a story that comes out and a challenge of one sort or another that shapes their lives. As a father and as a son, the ending was particularly satisfying to me ("Pretend"). And I love that some of the story takes place in and around Cleveland, Ohio.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author because after The Heebie-Jeebie Girl, The Super Ladies and Throw Like a Woman, I had a hard time waiting for more Petrone. I plan on reading it a couple more times once I can get my hands on a legitimate copy.
July 24, 2025
This story follows the fictional Mozinski family, created by Vincent Mozinski and Grace Klinefelter, each with a remarkable ability to see music notes in the air. They marry and have six equally remarkable children—except one, who doesn’t seem to have the family talent. The story follows the development of each child and their evolution as a TV show family. The author gives everyone a distinctive personality and it’s not always a happy family, keeping this from being a saccharinely sweet saga. I’m not a fan of magical realism, which is at the center of this story, with people visualizing music notes, but this is the only bit of magical realism involved and I very much enjoyed all the references to music, which I presume the author knows a lot about. There is a discography at the end, referencing all the covers the family performed. The family dynamics are well described, believable, and interesting. I wondered how much was modeled on families like the Osmonds from the 70s, when this story takes place. I enjoyed it but gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because I thought it dragged a bit and could have been shorter.
March 15, 2024
Book Review: Seeing music in all its beauty!
Mix magical realism with a tinge of real world synesthesia and you have a reading experience like no other. Imagine being able to see music as Vincent Mozinski and Grace Klinefelter do in The Musical Mozinskis: a novel by Susan Petrone. Upon meeting in the early 1960s, they realize they each have this unique ability to “see” music. They eventually marry & begin a family with six musical genius children.
As the children grow, they learn to communicate with music before they learn how to read English. As each child grows, we uncover that the five oldest children also have the gift to see physical music notation in the air as music plays. The coalescing of the floating notes as they harmonize with each musician’s notes gives them a special ability to read not only the feelings of the music, yet the emotional state of the musician.
As time progresses, the family grows from struggling musicians to a national treasure. The family finds financial success in their own TV musical variety show. When the youngest reaches toddlerhood, her family discovers that she does not possess the same synesthesia as her siblings; instead, she sees colors where they see notes.
Spanning several decades, the story chronicles the dynamics of a family in a rare sub-world of musical entertainment and Hollywood. When a family of six children has to grow together, and then apart to find their individuality, can the family survive? Will the seducing avarice of Hollywood further corrupt a marriage in disrepair?
Beyond, the wonderment of their musical genius & magical abilities is the depth of familial relationship. The Musical Mozinskis is an endearing journey of music appreciation in all of its nuances. The story is a heart-felt diorama of the inner workings of a large family. It is a nostalgic trip throughout several decades, with the musical melodies leading the way. It is definitely the latest must read!
Mix magical realism with a tinge of real world synesthesia and you have a reading experience like no other. Imagine being able to see music as Vincent Mozinski and Grace Klinefelter do in The Musical Mozinskis: a novel by Susan Petrone. Upon meeting in the early 1960s, they realize they each have this unique ability to “see” music. They eventually marry & begin a family with six musical genius children.
As the children grow, they learn to communicate with music before they learn how to read English. As each child grows, we uncover that the five oldest children also have the gift to see physical music notation in the air as music plays. The coalescing of the floating notes as they harmonize with each musician’s notes gives them a special ability to read not only the feelings of the music, yet the emotional state of the musician.
As time progresses, the family grows from struggling musicians to a national treasure. The family finds financial success in their own TV musical variety show. When the youngest reaches toddlerhood, her family discovers that she does not possess the same synesthesia as her siblings; instead, she sees colors where they see notes.
Spanning several decades, the story chronicles the dynamics of a family in a rare sub-world of musical entertainment and Hollywood. When a family of six children has to grow together, and then apart to find their individuality, can the family survive? Will the seducing avarice of Hollywood further corrupt a marriage in disrepair?
Beyond, the wonderment of their musical genius & magical abilities is the depth of familial relationship. The Musical Mozinskis is an endearing journey of music appreciation in all of its nuances. The story is a heart-felt diorama of the inner workings of a large family. It is a nostalgic trip throughout several decades, with the musical melodies leading the way. It is definitely the latest must read!
January 16, 2024
In the first two paragraphs of this delightful novel, Susan Petrone asks—no, she insists—that the reader believe that one of her protagonists is capable of doing something that most people would dismiss as simply impossible. And when, a few paragraphs later, she doubles down on that insistence, you are either with her, or you are not.
I decided that I was with her, and unless you have a heart made of granite, you will be, too.
The Musical Mozinskis are a family whose members make music together, but who do not always live in perfect harmony with one another. As you get to know them, you will learn about their talents, their triumphs and disappointments, and you will learn what to say and what NOT to say if you get the chance to meet Doc Severinsen (better hurry—Doc will be 97 in July).
As a fan of Petrone’s other novels, I preordered this one at my earliest opportunity, and I was grateful for the chance to read a pre-publication copy. You might not be so lucky, but I assure you this novel is worth the wait.
I decided that I was with her, and unless you have a heart made of granite, you will be, too.
The Musical Mozinskis are a family whose members make music together, but who do not always live in perfect harmony with one another. As you get to know them, you will learn about their talents, their triumphs and disappointments, and you will learn what to say and what NOT to say if you get the chance to meet Doc Severinsen (better hurry—Doc will be 97 in July).
As a fan of Petrone’s other novels, I preordered this one at my earliest opportunity, and I was grateful for the chance to read a pre-publication copy. You might not be so lucky, but I assure you this novel is worth the wait.
May 11, 2024
This book grabbed me right away. It's such an interesting story that reflects the time span it covers, especially women's roles. I had to keep reminding myself that it's a novel, not non-fiction. The characters were well written. I highly recommend this title.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews