Sleeping with Schubert

by Bonnie Marson

It seems that the legendary composer Franz Schubert is alive—well, sort of—in the twenty-first century: His soul has taken up residence in the body of Brooklyn lawyer Liza Durbin. Even more astonishing, so has his prodigious gift. A mediocre pianist at best as a child, Liza can suddenly pound out concertos and compose masterly music out of the blue. But how can a brilliant male Austrian composer from the nineteenth century coexist in the everyday life of a modern American woman? And how can Liza explain what’s happened to her without everyone thinking she’s gone off the deep end?

Fortunately, the evidence is tangible, and Liza is soon brought into the esteemed halls of Juilliard under the tutelage of the revered—and feared—Greta Pretsky, a humorless woman whose only interest in Liza is her channeling of Schubert. Greta’s greedy for her next big star, and the entire New York City press is whispering of Liza’s brilliance as the public awaits her debut at Carnegie Hall. Even Liza’s boyfriend, Patrick, seems more in love with her than ever.

Yet as Liza yields to Franz’s great passion, her own life and identity threaten to elude her. Why was she chosen as the vessel for this musical genius—and when, if ever, will he leave? Their entwined souls follow a path of ecstasy, peril, and surprise as they search for the final, liberating truth.

A strikingly original novel, Sleeping with Schuber t plays on years of speculation regarding Franz Schubert’s “ Unfinished Symphony .” Bonnie Marson’s extraordinary imagination supposes that Schubert cannot truly die until the mystery is solved—even if it means being resurrected in the body of a deceptively ordinary woman. Filled with drama and humor, this irresistible novel explores love, genius, and identity in ways that will engage and amaze readers.

Genres: Fiction, Music, Chick Lit, Book Club, Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary

380 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2004

About the author

​Bonnie Marson is an artist who has worked in many media including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and mosaics. She has sold her work in galleries and to collectors around the country.

Reviews

[Lauren Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I am enjoying a novel, I tend to slow down towards the ending. It's because I don't want the book to end. That's what happened with "Sleeping with Schubert."
Bonnie Marson has such a wonderfully comedic wit that I found myself smiling and even laughing out loud throughout the story.
Even the theme, which is total fantasy, makes me laugh. Possessed by a 19th century composer, a young lawyer has to adapt to a creative genius living inside of her. Conversely, the composer must adapt to being inside of a contemporary woman who lives in NYC, with all its noises and over 200 years of inventions.
Completely original, this story deserves more than 5-stars. I highly recommend reading "Sleeping with Schubert." I guarantee a good laugh.

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't the kind of book I usually read, but I was interested in the title and the copy on the dust jacket, and, when I opened the book and read "I became a genius the day I locked my keys in the car," I found I wanted to know more. I'm thoroughly glad that I did.

Liza Durbin is a moderately successful Manhattan lawyer who neither loves or hates her life. She's just getting by, doing OK in a job she's fine with but isn't sure she likes, in a relationship she fell into with a man she's not sure she loves or wants to be with. She's OK, but she's settling.

Then, without explanation, she finds she can play piano. But not just play--splendidly, fabulously, like a concert master . . . She does not know how. She does not know how. But she finds that pretty much all she plays is the music of Schubert and, over time, seh comes to realize that she has another spirit living in her. Eventually, she realizes it's Franz Schubert.

This is not a ghost story in the traditional sense, or a horror novel. The explanation for the inhabitation is never given. Liza and Franz are almost completely separate; usually, one is not even aware or the other, although they learn to "sense" each other in images (they don't even share a common language as Schubert didn't speak English).

Although there are many comic elements and there are many times when I laughed out loud, this book is about being open to possibilities. What Liza gets from Schubert is not so much the music as the ability to be fully alive to the world she is in, so see the possibilities.

Really, really worth living.

[Debra Pants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the unfortunate mental images the title of this book conjured up for me, I read it. It was recommended by a friend, who is a fellow piano player. I have played piano for the majority of my life, but I have never really felt passionate about it. However, before I was 100 pages into this book, I had to stop reading it because I sincerely wanted to play piano. I pulled out some sheet music that had intimidated me before and actually enjoyed playing it.

The passion for music shared so articulately in this book is contagious. It's not just for people who play piano or know who Franz Schubert is, but it is for music lovers. In addition, through reading the book, I awakened a desire to see more of the world and the beauties of it. And that, to me, is a great book.

The story is about Liza Durbin, a lawyer without a real passion for the profession who took some piano lessons as a child but was far from a musical genius. She finds herself inhabited by the late Franz Schubert and her body is a vessel for him to work his musical magic tickling the ivories. The whole body-possession/body-sharing idea reminded me of Stephenie Meyer's The Host, and I found myself wondering if she got the idea for that book from this one.

The story requires suspension of reality, of course, while still taking place in a recognizable present. I refrained from giving this book 5 stars, but did consider it. Once I picked the book back up, it took me no time to finish it. For those who are easily offended, there is some things to find objectionable in the book: Liza lives with her boyfriend and (non-explicit) sex occurs. Liza and her boyfriend got together while both were married. Liza has an uncomfortable and inappropriate encounter with a man she meets. Some language is scattered throughout the book. Franz appears to be aware and engaged in sexual encounters.

Still, I found this a delightful read and may very well read it again some day.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

SLEEPING WITH SCHUBERT currently holds the place as my favorite recent read. I have read it twice, first in April 2006 and again this past April. It was a major inspiration and guide for me in writing my own book, LIFE AS PLANNED, currently represented by Writer's Literary Agency.

Liza Durbin, a regular, ordinary, un-spectacular lawyer from Brooklyn wakes up one morning to discover that the soul of the dead composer Franz Schubert has taken up residence in her body. She suddenly becomes a brilliant pianist and composer, and immediately more fascinating to her family, friends and absentee boyfriend. But as Liza struggles against Franz's desire to be heard, she finds herself getting pulled further and further into his life and wanting to help him find his voice again.

This book drew me in right from the start. It is exactly the kind of book I want to be writing, one that explores the themes of life, identity, love, while exploring the art of music and the effects it has on who we are. It is very well written, and thoroughly engaging. Liza's views of herself are real and personal and terribly humurous. There were several moments where I laughed out loud, and just as many where I cried.

This was Marson's first book; she doesn't even consider herself a writer by trade, though she is an artist. It set up for me an example as to how I want to pursue my own writing life, where writing is one of the many things I pursue in addition to all my other passions. I want it always to be something I do because I love it, not because I must depend on it.

To find out more about my pursuits as a writer, visit me at www.myspace.com/elizabethblaufox

[Patrick Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Franz Schubert's soul has taken up residence in the body of lawyer Liza Durbin. So has his prodigious gift for composing and playing music. No prodigy as she learned t play piano as a child, she can now play music at a world class level. Such talent cannot stay hidden and soon she is at Juilliard with a debut at at Carnegie Hall awaiting her.

Yet, what of her old life ? Why has this gift been thrust upon her? the novel is an excellent rumination on identity and all that comes with it. A fun story.

[Exx · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.4 stars for the original idea, but to be honest the execution left so much lacking. I wanted more of Schubert’s personality, more of his past, and more of the feelings and textures associated with music. I wanted significantly less of Liza’s romantic escapades, melodrama, and constant back and forth about her feelings towards this entire situation.

Very little actual character development. I felt as if I was told that Liza had changed because of Schuberts presence, but never actually saw it in her personality and her interactions with her family.
Overall a very disappointing book. I suppose I should’ve listened to the review that gave it one star, but the premise was just too interesting for me to pass up. I’m doubly disappointed because the premise had so much promise, and there were so many spots in the plot at which the author could’ve diverged onto a much better path, but chose not to. :(

[chiara ੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

late review. i’ll reread this again, but all i can say is that the title + premise of the protag having schubert inside her VERY MUCH misled me. schubertfuckers lose yet again…

[Eugenea Pollock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I applaud the originality of this novel, I find the character of Liza’s sister to be annoyingly contradictory. She tries to market Liza as both femme fatale and piano prodigy. That is too big a stretch for me. Oh, yes, Liza’s hair is given too much page space; it’s almost another character. Much ado about very little.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non-musical attorney Liza Durbin sits down at a piano in Nordstrom's one day and begins playing with the technique of a master. She soon discovers she's inhabited by Franz Schubert's spirit, an occurrence that slowly spins her life out of control. The descriptions of music in this book are wondrous things - I could feel the music drifting off the pages at times. And its those descriptions that kept me reading - the first half of the book is filled with bad chick lit cliches and the unflagging desire to be cute and quirky. I put the book aside a couple of times, ready to give it up ... but those wondrous descriptions of music and how musicians hear music brought me back. When Ms. Marson finally settles down and abandons many of the unnecessary cliches and embraces the essentials of the plot, the book picks up. But still, the book never lives up to its potential (and does a disservice to the main plot, which would have made a fine book on its own without the cliches - and would have likely appealed to a much larger audience), and the characters are dreadfully flat and two dimensional. I'm glad I finished it, although the more I thought about it after I finished it, the more I disliked it. Recommended for the idea but not for the execution (in other words, wait for the film).

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you suspend disbelief, the first 150-200 pages are a really fun, witty read. A 31 year old attorney, minding her own business wakes up one morning to find that her body is now co-inhabited by the spirit of Franz Schubert. The first half of the book follows the main character as she tries to adjust to life and how friends and family adjust to her and Franz. Midway through, the concept loses steam, drags on and turns into some fluffy mystery story. Oh well.

As I read the book, it seemed odd that parts of the book read like a screenplay. Sure enough, the "about the author" paragraph informs me that Paramount Pictures has bought the rights to produce the film adaptation.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining book about a young woman who finds herself inhabited by Franz Schubert. As her surprise talent is discovered, she is thrust into live concerts while her hands are taken over at the keyboard. Eventually he speaks through her and finishes his "unfinished symphony". I loved this book. Bonnie Marson took an idea and spun it into current times with great humor.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a couple years ago but loved it enough to put it on my list. I am usually not attracted to fantasies but this was so believable. The lady is a talented piano player, but needs to move forward. She finds herself inhabited by Franz Schubert. If you love music I think you can love this book.

[Ben Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction, fantasy...whatever you wish to call Sleeping with Schubert it's a fun read. The characters were diligent and rounded, the story fascinating, the music pleasurable, and the theory of identity merge fascinating. Especially when the merge is two gifted players. This is a story worth remembering and passing around.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique twist on chick lit. Conflicted woman (check). Best friend (check). Zany family (check). Possessed by the spirit of Franz Schubert (huh?). Quite readable, actually. Like the "Jane Austen Addict" books, this author handles a fanciful storyline in a manner that holds together well. The narrative voice is likeable, and I love the idea of FS completing the "Unfinished Symphony"!

[E Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this would have worked better as a short story. At least I wouldn't have had to put up with Liza for a whole novel. She is so shallow and so self serving. Who has a piano delivered to a plutonic friends apartment without their knowledge or approval or "forgets" about a dinner date with mutual friends. In fact, none of the female characters are very likable. She and Patrick, her
current boyfriend both broke up their marriages to be together. That doesn't stop her from having a
crush and a flirtation with another man.
When she is first possessed by Schubert, she can hardly function. She faints, has spastic body movements, and wears bedroom slippers to her job as a lawyer. She has to take a break from the lawyer job and can spend all her time at the friends house playing Schubert. As the book goes on
Schubert's possession of her body seems to all by disappear and he just functions as the conduit for her fantastic musical ability. Only when he takes over to write new music does he seem in control.
So she becomes world famous, playing concerts, and wowing everyone with new compositions.
Her personality does mellow a little as the book progresses, but I still think it would have been
better as a short story.

[Victoria Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine waking up one day and discovering that you are a music prodigy, and not only that but also the soul of a classical music composer is within your body. This is what this book is about, Liza Durbin works in Manhattan, she has a successful life but one day she wakes up with the feeling that another soul is in her body. And not just any soul, but Franz Schubert's, she realizes this the moment he begins to play the piano beautifully through her. Every time Liza sleeps, she meets Franz Schubert in her dreams and speaking German. With that, she will possibly go to Juilliard to try her luck and solve a mystery that this great composer left unfinished. A very funny book, that made me remember my musical past at the conservatory. I think it's incredible if something like this happened in real life, even though music is not something palpable but something that is felt with greater force than a tangible object. How amazing is to feel that right next to the person who composed the music that you're playing. With this book, I learned some aspects of Franz Schubert's life but I also had a lot of fun with Liza Durbin's scenes. A book left me with a genuine smile.

[Rachel Consoli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a weird book and concept. Basically Liza wakes up one day and is possessed by Franz Schubert, literally. No reasoning, no explanation, just is. I suppose it’s interesting to wake up one day and have an incredible gift you never possessed before, but I feel like nothing is really done with this other than she plays and it’s fun. It changes her life, but then he just feels like his work is done and leaves?? So weird. Like why is she special? Why her? Why that composer? (Other than he died with unfinished work I suppose) but it’s still so weird. A different read but I didn’t care for any of the characters and all of the plot points felt inorganic and bizarre. Not my thing, but to each their own I suppose.

[Andrea Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is a bit mean, as I very much enjoyed this book--in the same way I very much enjoy singing along to Ke$ha. I know it's fluff, but it's fun fluff, so why not enjoy a bit of cotton candy? I found 'Sleeping with Schubert' a fast read; the writing is nothing special. It appealed to me as I have a fondness for classical music and performers, try to believe in the inexplicable as much as possible and adore fantasizing about a Fifth Avenue lifestyle. If your interests are similar and you want an interlude between reading serious older classics and the NYT's non-fiction bestsellers, I recommend it

[James Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about channeling your inner spirit or whatever? Well, this quirky novel is about a young woman who unexpectedly begins to channel her inner Franz Schubert. Yes, the composer-pianist of classical music fame.
The gimmick is fun for a while, but wears on you after the first hundred pages or so. From then on I had to work to keep going. The lawyer turned pianist makes it to Carnegie Hall, hopefully not disappointing too many real professionals along the way.

[Matt Tropman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a musician. I'm always skeptical about books, movies, and television shows that try to portray classical musicians because they never quite hit the mark. This book was a joy to read and passed my skepticism as a professional classical musician. It might be that if you don't have a relationship with classical music, you might not enjoy it as much as I did. But this is my favorite book that I've read so far this year.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young female New York attorney, Liza Durbin, becomes one with composer Franz Schubert. Set in the early 2000's whereas Schubert died in 1828. I found it interesting how the author intertwined the modern life of Liza with the music in the sole of Schubert. Did feel I wanted more in the ending of the story. Certainly a throwback feeling in the story as the CD was coin of the realm.

[Andrea Safirstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous novel! Marson is a terrific storyteller who takes us on the fascinating, funny, and yes - slightly ridiculous story of Liza Durbin, a young Brooklyn lawyer who is inhabited by the soul of Franz Schubert. The story remains captivating and interesting throughout. I found myself laughing out loud several times. Highly recommend.

[Adam Lawrence Frame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little fun but a whole lot of awful. I had to force myself to finish it. Maybe it’s just too ridiculous for me or something, but I was not a fan. Probably would have been more interesting if I were in my teens.

[Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly - absolutely - loved this novel. Reading about a woman inhabited by Franz Shubert, not knowing why, and just playing beautiful music through his emotions and thoughts. God, it was wonderful. Glad I picked this up randomly

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read with an exciting concept! It requires one to suspend one's disbelief a great deal but I went along for the ride. The book could be a tad bit shorter.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books was delicious.

[Sharon Ingle]

I didn't finish.

[Joanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe the right and intriguing book for others, but not for me. Did not finish.

[Ann Barbieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book.

[Analiese S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely rendering of a new way of thinking.