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La casa del silenci
Aquesta és la història de diverses dones i d'algun home. De dones valentes i sensibles, dones apassionades, dones que estimen els homes però que sobretot estimen la música.
Aquesta és la història d'un violí que passa de mà en mà, d'un director d'orquestra exiliat que viu entre notes musicals i entre faldilles, de mares absents, de desamors i de venjances, de guerres que separen, de minyones que mengen xocolata desfeta.
Aquesta és la història de La casa del silenci, on la música no deixa mai de sonar.
Aquesta és la història d'un violí que passa de mà en mà, d'un director d'orquestra exiliat que viu entre notes musicals i entre faldilles, de mares absents, de desamors i de venjances, de guerres que separen, de minyones que mengen xocolata desfeta.
Aquesta és la història de La casa del silenci, on la música no deixa mai de sonar.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
14 people are currently reading
882 people want to read
About the author
Blanca Busquets
25 books31 followersBlanca Busquets is a Catalan journalist and writer. She is the author of nine novels, for which she has won the 2011 Catalan Booksellers' Prize and the 2015 Alghero Donna Award in Italy. As a journalist, she's worked for Catalunya Ràdio, Catalan public radio broadcaster, since 1986. --Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 2, 2016
I was hooked immediately on page one - with these words from the first narrator,
TERESA:
"I found the first violin in a garbage dump. And it was an excellent violin, even though I obviously didn't know that yet. What I did know was that it was a magical violin.
I saw that right off, just by looking at it because, it was shining, and things that shine are usually magic. I'm not making that up. Mother and I would often rummage through the dump to see if we could find something that we could sell. If I told that to some of the people here with me now, they would be shocked".
Teresa was only 7 years old, living in Barcelona - with her mother ( in poverty) - the day she found that Stainer.
Her mother couldn't afford to pay for lessons - but Teresa found a woman who pointed to Teresa's heart and said..."yes, there was a musician in there"....and taught Teresa a few things to get her started. By the time she was in her 20's she was teaching at the Conservatory.
Mr. Karl, a very attractive man...the type that turned heads...had just moved to Barcelona and needed a maid.
When Maria went to see him, he opened the door and said, "hello", ---he didn't know
how to say anything more in any language Maria would understand. Maria was clever and quickly understood what he wanted when he explained it in gestures.
She moved into her own room with a bath...and worked for Mr. Karl for the next 40-some years in his Barcelona apt.
That was the house of silence.
"Music played, but it played at a distance, Mr. Carl would close himself up in a room and do his thing, I mean he played the violin or the piano, or both, or he'd sing too, and he sang very loudly. One day I saw that afterword he would write down notes on a piece of paper. I didn't understand what that was, but I didn't dare ask. He looked into my eyes and said, I'm composing, Maria. But that was when we started speaking to each other".
Mr. Karl opened up a world of music for Maria through those years - and she in turned shared her love of chocolate. They could often be found sharing a drink of hot chocolate with whipped cream sitting in the kitchen together.
Anna was a student of Teresa's ....[ornery -spiteful -ungrateful]....and was in need of learning a few life lessons to improve her attitude in life.
ends up performing along Teresa later in life. But they have some painful history together.
When first introduced to Mark, son of Karl T..... we begin to understand the depths of Karl T's talents.
"My father was truly obsessed by Bach's concerto for two violins; my mother always told me that".
"My father pretended to conduct with one hand, his eyes closed and in the state of ecstasy, as I would later see him do in Barcelona".
Maria, Mark, Teresa, and Anna --( each narrators in this story) --come together after many years - in honor of Karl ( who has died) --at a performance in Berlin. Many truths get revealed. A beautiful touching letter at the end can bring tears to your eyes.
Plot twists- secrets -jealously -loyalty - passion - love -
One of the things I especially like about this book besides the storytelling - which definitely holds your interests, is I thought about how inspiring it was to read about characters with extraordinary passion and commitment to music and their instrument.
I thought back to when I was only about 7 years old, playing the violin myself. I loved it so much - that I wouldn't stop practicing. My mother couldn't stand the sound ( of my mistakes). She begged me to take up another instrument. I did eventually switch to the flute which I played for many years-
and maybe I would have quit the violin anyway - on my own - but I was moved by several of the characters in this story by their harmoniously passionate commitment to
the violin and their music.
Beautiful tale which gently tugs on our heartstrings
Thank You Netgalley, Regan Arts, and Blanca Busquets
TERESA:
"I found the first violin in a garbage dump. And it was an excellent violin, even though I obviously didn't know that yet. What I did know was that it was a magical violin.
I saw that right off, just by looking at it because, it was shining, and things that shine are usually magic. I'm not making that up. Mother and I would often rummage through the dump to see if we could find something that we could sell. If I told that to some of the people here with me now, they would be shocked".
Teresa was only 7 years old, living in Barcelona - with her mother ( in poverty) - the day she found that Stainer.
Her mother couldn't afford to pay for lessons - but Teresa found a woman who pointed to Teresa's heart and said..."yes, there was a musician in there"....and taught Teresa a few things to get her started. By the time she was in her 20's she was teaching at the Conservatory.
Mr. Karl, a very attractive man...the type that turned heads...had just moved to Barcelona and needed a maid.
When Maria went to see him, he opened the door and said, "hello", ---he didn't know
how to say anything more in any language Maria would understand. Maria was clever and quickly understood what he wanted when he explained it in gestures.
She moved into her own room with a bath...and worked for Mr. Karl for the next 40-some years in his Barcelona apt.
That was the house of silence.
"Music played, but it played at a distance, Mr. Carl would close himself up in a room and do his thing, I mean he played the violin or the piano, or both, or he'd sing too, and he sang very loudly. One day I saw that afterword he would write down notes on a piece of paper. I didn't understand what that was, but I didn't dare ask. He looked into my eyes and said, I'm composing, Maria. But that was when we started speaking to each other".
Mr. Karl opened up a world of music for Maria through those years - and she in turned shared her love of chocolate. They could often be found sharing a drink of hot chocolate with whipped cream sitting in the kitchen together.
Anna was a student of Teresa's ....[ornery -spiteful -ungrateful]....and was in need of learning a few life lessons to improve her attitude in life.
ends up performing along Teresa later in life. But they have some painful history together.
When first introduced to Mark, son of Karl T..... we begin to understand the depths of Karl T's talents.
"My father was truly obsessed by Bach's concerto for two violins; my mother always told me that".
"My father pretended to conduct with one hand, his eyes closed and in the state of ecstasy, as I would later see him do in Barcelona".
Maria, Mark, Teresa, and Anna --( each narrators in this story) --come together after many years - in honor of Karl ( who has died) --at a performance in Berlin. Many truths get revealed. A beautiful touching letter at the end can bring tears to your eyes.
Plot twists- secrets -jealously -loyalty - passion - love -
One of the things I especially like about this book besides the storytelling - which definitely holds your interests, is I thought about how inspiring it was to read about characters with extraordinary passion and commitment to music and their instrument.
I thought back to when I was only about 7 years old, playing the violin myself. I loved it so much - that I wouldn't stop practicing. My mother couldn't stand the sound ( of my mistakes). She begged me to take up another instrument. I did eventually switch to the flute which I played for many years-
and maybe I would have quit the violin anyway - on my own - but I was moved by several of the characters in this story by their harmoniously passionate commitment to
the violin and their music.
Beautiful tale which gently tugs on our heartstrings
Thank You Netgalley, Regan Arts, and Blanca Busquets
June 1, 2018
The House of Silence took some persevering to finish . For the first quarter I couldn't understand who was who and what was what. The writing was competent, but the structure and the characters confused me.
The timelines messed up with my head as well. For quite a while, I couldn't quite figure it out when the novel was set. It begins with seven-year-old Teresa who found a Steiner violin in the tip, where she was scavenging with her mum for things to sell on. Initially, I thought maybe it was set in the nineteenth century. They were doing it rough, food was scarce, mum was making a living from sewing. There were very few modern elements to give us a sense of when the story was taking place. Later on, another character's pov, there's reference to the falling of Berlin Wall. Aha! 1989. And then it moves back in time, another character's pov, another setting.
I got dizzy and a bit annoyed. As you know, I love music of all kinds. This novel has at its core music, the love and dedication needed to become proficient at playing an instrument. I just couldn't get invested in the story and the characters.
2.5 star
I've received this novel from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The timelines messed up with my head as well. For quite a while, I couldn't quite figure it out when the novel was set. It begins with seven-year-old Teresa who found a Steiner violin in the tip, where she was scavenging with her mum for things to sell on. Initially, I thought maybe it was set in the nineteenth century. They were doing it rough, food was scarce, mum was making a living from sewing. There were very few modern elements to give us a sense of when the story was taking place. Later on, another character's pov, there's reference to the falling of Berlin Wall. Aha! 1989. And then it moves back in time, another character's pov, another setting.
I got dizzy and a bit annoyed. As you know, I love music of all kinds. This novel has at its core music, the love and dedication needed to become proficient at playing an instrument. I just couldn't get invested in the story and the characters.
2.5 star
I've received this novel from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2016
The House of Silence by Blanca Busquets
This novel was translated by Mara Faye Lethem
OH HOW I LOVED THIS NOVEL.
This is a feel good all over read by a very talented writer. It takes place in both Barcelona and Berlin.
The author uses the storytelling device using every one of the character's point of view and moves back and forth in time. All of the characters are lovable except for one who is very mean spirited.
The premise is quite simple. It all revolves around a magic violin.
Teresa is seven years old when she finds the shiny Stainer violin in the garbage dump while picking through items that Teresa's mother can sell for a few coins. They are poor and whatever items that can be sold puts food on the table. Teresa doesn't know the value of the Stainer violin, but she begs her mother not to sell it.
Maria is working for Mr. Karl as his live in maid when he tells her to throw a violin away. She confuses which one he wants to be rid of and throws away the precious Stainer violin by accident. Teresa grows up and she teaches Anna who is one of her students at the conservatory. Anna is the mean spirited character I mentioned. Anna's mother abandons her at the tender age of fourteen. Anna thinks her mother made her take violin lessons to keep Anna out of her hair. After Anna's mother leaves she meets her father. She wants her father's attention exclusively on herself. Anna gets very jealous when her father falls in love with Teresa. Teresa suggests to Anna's father that a week's vacation with just him and Anna could be just the ticket to calm Anna's insecurities. Sadly, Anna deliberately causes a car accident driving off a cliff killing her father.
Teresa sits while Anna is unconscious in the hospital seriously injured. Teresa wants to be the one to gently break the news about Anna's father not making it to Anna. When Anna is well enough Teresa gives Anna the bad news and Anna screams at Teresa to get out and she never wants to see Teresa again. Teresa is heartbroken. Teresa gives Anna the magic Stainer violin in a gesture of good will. It does not help. Anna still does not want anything to do with Teresa.
Mr. Karl receives a shock when the Berlin wall is knocked down Mark shows up from East Berlin with a deathbed confession from his mother telling Mr Karl that she kept Mark a secret. Mr Karl is a famous composer who is also quite the ladies man. Over the years Maria has peeked through the keyhole of Mr Karl's music room and watched him end up on his black leather couch with every female student he has taught. He takes on Anna and Teresa at the same time to teach the violin to.
Mr. Karl is with both Teresa and Anna. Anna offers to give her Stainer violin to Mr. Karl if he will marry her. Mr Karl agrees to marry Anna for the violin whom he has no plans of staying with Anna. Mr. Karl thinks Anna plays her violin without any soul. Teresa plays slower than Anna but she plays with all her soul.
Mr. Karl has heart problems and his doctor's advise him not to travel to a concert he wishes to attend. Mr Karl ignores his doctor's advice and dies while traveling outside the country. First he leaves Maria the Stainer violin in a letter that he wrote and gave her to read after he died. He leaves Maria and his son Mark a large amount of money. At this time Anna is with Mark. Mark is tired of Anna clinging to him at every turn he makes. Mark plans a honorary concert in East Berlin to commemorate his father. Mark invites Maria to attend the concert. Maria switches a fake Stainer violin with Anna's Stainer that she snatched from Maria. Maria ends up with Mr Karl and the Stainer violin in the afterlife. Thank you to Net Galley and Blanca Busquets and the publisher for providing me with my copy of this magical novel.
This novel was translated by Mara Faye Lethem
OH HOW I LOVED THIS NOVEL.
This is a feel good all over read by a very talented writer. It takes place in both Barcelona and Berlin.
The author uses the storytelling device using every one of the character's point of view and moves back and forth in time. All of the characters are lovable except for one who is very mean spirited.
The premise is quite simple. It all revolves around a magic violin.
Teresa is seven years old when she finds the shiny Stainer violin in the garbage dump while picking through items that Teresa's mother can sell for a few coins. They are poor and whatever items that can be sold puts food on the table. Teresa doesn't know the value of the Stainer violin, but she begs her mother not to sell it.
Maria is working for Mr. Karl as his live in maid when he tells her to throw a violin away. She confuses which one he wants to be rid of and throws away the precious Stainer violin by accident. Teresa grows up and she teaches Anna who is one of her students at the conservatory. Anna is the mean spirited character I mentioned. Anna's mother abandons her at the tender age of fourteen. Anna thinks her mother made her take violin lessons to keep Anna out of her hair. After Anna's mother leaves she meets her father. She wants her father's attention exclusively on herself. Anna gets very jealous when her father falls in love with Teresa. Teresa suggests to Anna's father that a week's vacation with just him and Anna could be just the ticket to calm Anna's insecurities. Sadly, Anna deliberately causes a car accident driving off a cliff killing her father.
Teresa sits while Anna is unconscious in the hospital seriously injured. Teresa wants to be the one to gently break the news about Anna's father not making it to Anna. When Anna is well enough Teresa gives Anna the bad news and Anna screams at Teresa to get out and she never wants to see Teresa again. Teresa is heartbroken. Teresa gives Anna the magic Stainer violin in a gesture of good will. It does not help. Anna still does not want anything to do with Teresa.
Mr. Karl receives a shock when the Berlin wall is knocked down Mark shows up from East Berlin with a deathbed confession from his mother telling Mr Karl that she kept Mark a secret. Mr Karl is a famous composer who is also quite the ladies man. Over the years Maria has peeked through the keyhole of Mr Karl's music room and watched him end up on his black leather couch with every female student he has taught. He takes on Anna and Teresa at the same time to teach the violin to.
Mr. Karl is with both Teresa and Anna. Anna offers to give her Stainer violin to Mr. Karl if he will marry her. Mr Karl agrees to marry Anna for the violin whom he has no plans of staying with Anna. Mr. Karl thinks Anna plays her violin without any soul. Teresa plays slower than Anna but she plays with all her soul.
Mr. Karl has heart problems and his doctor's advise him not to travel to a concert he wishes to attend. Mr Karl ignores his doctor's advice and dies while traveling outside the country. First he leaves Maria the Stainer violin in a letter that he wrote and gave her to read after he died. He leaves Maria and his son Mark a large amount of money. At this time Anna is with Mark. Mark is tired of Anna clinging to him at every turn he makes. Mark plans a honorary concert in East Berlin to commemorate his father. Mark invites Maria to attend the concert. Maria switches a fake Stainer violin with Anna's Stainer that she snatched from Maria. Maria ends up with Mr Karl and the Stainer violin in the afterlife. Thank you to Net Galley and Blanca Busquets and the publisher for providing me with my copy of this magical novel.
January 16, 2021
1r llibre llegit del repte!
April 8, 2019
Blanca Busquets is a Catalan writer, and I had not heard of her before stumbling across ‘The House of Silence,’ a wonderful novel revolving around the lives of five people and a rare violin from the 18th century.
The story takes place over a number of years from the mid 20th century to close to the present. It is a love story and a story about people who love music. All five people’s lives intertwine, and the story moves back and forth between their points of view: the maid Maria, who spends her life taking care of the composer and conductor Karl T., the original owner of the violin; Teresa, who as a young girl living in poverty with her mother finds the violin in a garbage dump after it is accidentally thrown away; Anna, a violinist with a damaged psyche who comes into possession of the violin; and Mark, the son of Karl T., who grew up in East Berlin and aspires to be a conductor like his father. The only main character who doesn’t get a point of view is Karl T., who lives for music and whom we see through the eyes of all the others.
The story is set in Barcelona, Spain, where Karl T., who hails from East Berlin when it was divided from West Berlin by the Wall, lives in exile, and later East Berlin after the wall comes down, when a number of the main characters travel there for a concert.
As I read, I really didn’t know where the story was going. This is not a simple linear story that moves forward in time. It’s a sort of mystery that keeps you guessing, but I will reveal that at heart, it’s a love story. I admired the author’s skillful control of structure that gives the novel the effect of a puzzle. Each new chapter—each shift of point of view—gives the reader a new piece of the puzzle, and the reader gradually sees how the pieces fit together. She uses past tense in the earlier chapters to give us information about the characters’ pasts, and then as we approach the climactic event of the concert, she shifts to present tense. All skillfully written.
I especially admired Busquets’ portrayal of Anna, who is a very dislikeable character with a twisted and vicious personality, a woman full of hate for the world around her and the people in it. To convincingly portray a character like her is a real feat. On the other hand, I thought Maria was not as successful a character. Her naiveté was so extreme it was hard to swallow. That may be just my opinion. In spite of this reservation, I thought this was a richly rewarding novel to read and I'm glad I stumbled across it.
The story takes place over a number of years from the mid 20th century to close to the present. It is a love story and a story about people who love music. All five people’s lives intertwine, and the story moves back and forth between their points of view: the maid Maria, who spends her life taking care of the composer and conductor Karl T., the original owner of the violin; Teresa, who as a young girl living in poverty with her mother finds the violin in a garbage dump after it is accidentally thrown away; Anna, a violinist with a damaged psyche who comes into possession of the violin; and Mark, the son of Karl T., who grew up in East Berlin and aspires to be a conductor like his father. The only main character who doesn’t get a point of view is Karl T., who lives for music and whom we see through the eyes of all the others.
The story is set in Barcelona, Spain, where Karl T., who hails from East Berlin when it was divided from West Berlin by the Wall, lives in exile, and later East Berlin after the wall comes down, when a number of the main characters travel there for a concert.
As I read, I really didn’t know where the story was going. This is not a simple linear story that moves forward in time. It’s a sort of mystery that keeps you guessing, but I will reveal that at heart, it’s a love story. I admired the author’s skillful control of structure that gives the novel the effect of a puzzle. Each new chapter—each shift of point of view—gives the reader a new piece of the puzzle, and the reader gradually sees how the pieces fit together. She uses past tense in the earlier chapters to give us information about the characters’ pasts, and then as we approach the climactic event of the concert, she shifts to present tense. All skillfully written.
I especially admired Busquets’ portrayal of Anna, who is a very dislikeable character with a twisted and vicious personality, a woman full of hate for the world around her and the people in it. To convincingly portray a character like her is a real feat. On the other hand, I thought Maria was not as successful a character. Her naiveté was so extreme it was hard to swallow. That may be just my opinion. In spite of this reservation, I thought this was a richly rewarding novel to read and I'm glad I stumbled across it.
February 6, 2024
Un livre émouvant dont le style est léger. C'est vrai que le début est tout à fait ordinaire mais en découvre en avançant dans la lecture une intrigue plus profonde qu'elle ne laisse paraître au commencement. Je recommande.
February 14, 2017
Does a violin a soul? And can the soul of the instrument connect with the soul of the one playing it to create something magical? This was a haunting tale that explores these questions through the viewpoint of the three women that have played this magical violin. This one will stay with me for quite a while.
September 21, 2016
“Everything changed when I found the violin. Look what I found, I said, triumphantly lifting the instrument in one hand and the bow in the other. And as I lifted it, I brushed my hand over the strings without meaning to, and they made a rending, high-pitched sound that tore at my soul.”
This is a story not just about the musically gifted but about the jealousies and hungers that push and pull each of the characters through the years. Mr. Karl is the link, he is music in a sense- living and breathing it, shut up composing. When Karl is gone a tribute to memorialize him will pull each character once again into each other’s orbit. His son Mark is with Anna (selfish and damaged) and wishes to be finished with her toxic ways. Teresa came from humble beginnings and was immediately recognized as a raw talent, playing from the depths of her being, a true artist. Anna is her student, but her playing is cold, mechanical as much as her heart. Anna’s mother had left her and it affects her for a long time. She finds her father, who falls for Teresa and everything goes sour. Teresa just wants happiness, love, and has hopes things can work out. That’s the thing about people though, you cannot make someone who is spiteful open their heart nor warm their change the direction of their dark path. Maria, moves in and becomes more than just a live in maid to Mr. Karl. She is as much a part of his life as a family member. The two grow intensely close, different worlds converging, learning from one another. Mr. Karl is free with women as well, never seeing a problem with loving where you will when passion moves you. Is it the gift he sees in students, women that seduce him? Mr. Karl is tied to both Teresa and Anna, how could jealousies not be born? Maria seems to be a constant in his life and has her hand in where the real violin ends up. In fact, Maria might just be inside Mr. Karl’s heart more than anyone.
Who knew a magical violin could hold so much drama. Jealousy, love, music, passion, tragedy, it is all here. Some people you just can’t win over, some people are in their own way and destroy their own happiness by blackening others. Manipulations never turn out the way you hope, and Anna learns that it can have downright disastrous results. You don’t have to play an instrument to feel moved by this novel. Beyond playing a few songs on a piano, I lack talent, raw or otherwise and yet I could feel the fire that drives musicians. By turns crushingly sad and sweetly uplifting, a strange combination and yet it works here.
Publication Date: October 4, 2016 Regan Arts https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
This is a story not just about the musically gifted but about the jealousies and hungers that push and pull each of the characters through the years. Mr. Karl is the link, he is music in a sense- living and breathing it, shut up composing. When Karl is gone a tribute to memorialize him will pull each character once again into each other’s orbit. His son Mark is with Anna (selfish and damaged) and wishes to be finished with her toxic ways. Teresa came from humble beginnings and was immediately recognized as a raw talent, playing from the depths of her being, a true artist. Anna is her student, but her playing is cold, mechanical as much as her heart. Anna’s mother had left her and it affects her for a long time. She finds her father, who falls for Teresa and everything goes sour. Teresa just wants happiness, love, and has hopes things can work out. That’s the thing about people though, you cannot make someone who is spiteful open their heart nor warm their change the direction of their dark path. Maria, moves in and becomes more than just a live in maid to Mr. Karl. She is as much a part of his life as a family member. The two grow intensely close, different worlds converging, learning from one another. Mr. Karl is free with women as well, never seeing a problem with loving where you will when passion moves you. Is it the gift he sees in students, women that seduce him? Mr. Karl is tied to both Teresa and Anna, how could jealousies not be born? Maria seems to be a constant in his life and has her hand in where the real violin ends up. In fact, Maria might just be inside Mr. Karl’s heart more than anyone.
Who knew a magical violin could hold so much drama. Jealousy, love, music, passion, tragedy, it is all here. Some people you just can’t win over, some people are in their own way and destroy their own happiness by blackening others. Manipulations never turn out the way you hope, and Anna learns that it can have downright disastrous results. You don’t have to play an instrument to feel moved by this novel. Beyond playing a few songs on a piano, I lack talent, raw or otherwise and yet I could feel the fire that drives musicians. By turns crushingly sad and sweetly uplifting, a strange combination and yet it works here.
Publication Date: October 4, 2016 Regan Arts https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
July 31, 2016
THE HOUSE OF SILENCE is quite a beautiful and engaging novel. The story concerns a particular violin, and it's effects on different people. With the right person playing it, this violin becomes 'magical'. This is a novel of love and betrayal. I highly recommend this novel.
September 25, 2022
3.5, list na koncowce mnie po prostu rozczulil, kocham pania marie:)
November 12, 2016
I received this free copy in exchange for an honest review
This was a lovely and moving story from the beginning to the end. A lot of unexpected twists and realistic, interesting characters take place in it. Although my primary disagreement is the writing style [I really don't like this kind of novels] I must admit that I acknowledge it's craft and it's technique, and I know it's mesmerising for many readers, so Mrs. Busquets has mastered in her craft.
The characters broke my heart. All of them. I felt for them; I fell in love with them, and they got under my skin. The plot. It's interesting and well presented. It's an engaging story that will captivate the readers and travel back in the 1980's with Anna, Maria, Teresa and Mark. Music is another key figure in the story. She brings them all together. Many secrets unveil and many truths come out on the surface.
Although it annoys me when in a literary text everything is weaved together, and there's so much lyricism, I do not think readers should take this part of my opinion into account. I am sure that many people will love it.
This was a lovely and moving story from the beginning to the end. A lot of unexpected twists and realistic, interesting characters take place in it. Although my primary disagreement is the writing style [I really don't like this kind of novels] I must admit that I acknowledge it's craft and it's technique, and I know it's mesmerising for many readers, so Mrs. Busquets has mastered in her craft.
The characters broke my heart. All of them. I felt for them; I fell in love with them, and they got under my skin. The plot. It's interesting and well presented. It's an engaging story that will captivate the readers and travel back in the 1980's with Anna, Maria, Teresa and Mark. Music is another key figure in the story. She brings them all together. Many secrets unveil and many truths come out on the surface.
Although it annoys me when in a literary text everything is weaved together, and there's so much lyricism, I do not think readers should take this part of my opinion into account. I am sure that many people will love it.
October 12, 2016
I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways and they will probably be sorry I did because it wasn't my cup of tea. The main problem is that there is absolutely no introduction to the characters. So for the first third of the book, I was trying to figure out how Teresa was related to Maria and Anna was related to Mark and how Karl fit into the whole picture. I think the author did this on purpose to try to be intriguing but I found it frustrating. Most of the characters were very dislikable. The plot was passable but not very deep. Additionally, it had the feel of a YA novel which I usually avoid.
September 24, 2020
Karl. Anna, Maria, Teresa and Mark. And violin.
Connections and disconnections.
Karl, immensely gifted musical compositor of German origin, living in Barcelona, is a powerful presence in the lives of his fellow people, even if he himself would probably be shocked by it. Larger-than-life, all women mesmerized by him; he who understanding the soul of the music. Distantly kind, living in his own world, and yet breaking female hearts all the time.
And spo they are at his memorial in his native Berlin- Mark, his son; Maria, his housemaid of forty years; Anna and Teresa - two musical prodigies, one with soul and one with technique. And the precious violin that has touched all of their lives.
While this is rich, character-driven story with many wise remarks and with one very special lovestory, I found it hard to connect with the characters - maybe because they are not able to connect between themselves. They are good people (even bitter and troubled Anna), yet they simply do not cross the lines between themselves to get closer. They all live in their own houses of silence. And their contacts are often made because of music and by music. Which is charismatic, yet cold.
There is also certain "grandeuse" missing, which could make this a better novel by far. The great passions are missing here - the greatest of the has Anna, who immaturely longs for a motherly/fatherly figure to validate her existence. Yet, in her brokenness she has a certain flare. Maria has it, too - but her gift is her perceiveness, because she is a great, clever observer - and a very decent human being.
I think that this could be an interesting novel if the protagonists would simply communicate more. Most of them are Spaniards, so what about some fights? Some screeching and dish-throwing? And then what about some hugging and crying in each others' arms?
Connections and disconnections.
Karl, immensely gifted musical compositor of German origin, living in Barcelona, is a powerful presence in the lives of his fellow people, even if he himself would probably be shocked by it. Larger-than-life, all women mesmerized by him; he who understanding the soul of the music. Distantly kind, living in his own world, and yet breaking female hearts all the time.
And spo they are at his memorial in his native Berlin- Mark, his son; Maria, his housemaid of forty years; Anna and Teresa - two musical prodigies, one with soul and one with technique. And the precious violin that has touched all of their lives.
While this is rich, character-driven story with many wise remarks and with one very special lovestory, I found it hard to connect with the characters - maybe because they are not able to connect between themselves. They are good people (even bitter and troubled Anna), yet they simply do not cross the lines between themselves to get closer. They all live in their own houses of silence. And their contacts are often made because of music and by music. Which is charismatic, yet cold.
There is also certain "grandeuse" missing, which could make this a better novel by far. The great passions are missing here - the greatest of the has Anna, who immaturely longs for a motherly/fatherly figure to validate her existence. Yet, in her brokenness she has a certain flare. Maria has it, too - but her gift is her perceiveness, because she is a great, clever observer - and a very decent human being.
I think that this could be an interesting novel if the protagonists would simply communicate more. Most of them are Spaniards, so what about some fights? Some screeching and dish-throwing? And then what about some hugging and crying in each others' arms?
October 28, 2016
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
The House of Silence is one of the most character-driven novels I've read in a long time. It tells the story how a group of people are all connected by a violin and a conductor.
The book is told from the points of view of four of the characters. They have gathered in the present-day of the novel for a memorial concert for Karl, the conductor, but they frequently, and without warning, flash back to the events of the last couple decades and how they all arrived at this point. Mark, the conductor's son, is leading the show; Anna and Teresa, two of Karl's star violinists, are headlining; and Maria, Karl's longtime housemaid, is in the audience.
Anna was the stand-out character for me, although she wasn't the most likable. After a troubled childhood, Anna became a selfish and immature woman. Anna at least wasn't bland; Mark was almost a non-entity for me. Maria was also an interesting character; she was very observant and knew more than the other characters gave her credit for.
This story was very quiet for me. Yes, secrets and feelings were revealed through the flashbacks, but I didn't get a sense of mystery or thrill. The writing is lyrical, almost poetic at times. Although, I did feel that maybe a bit was lost in translation; sometimes the words or phrases used didn't really fit in the context of the story or seemed out of place.
The House of Silence is one of the most character-driven novels I've read in a long time. It tells the story how a group of people are all connected by a violin and a conductor.
The book is told from the points of view of four of the characters. They have gathered in the present-day of the novel for a memorial concert for Karl, the conductor, but they frequently, and without warning, flash back to the events of the last couple decades and how they all arrived at this point. Mark, the conductor's son, is leading the show; Anna and Teresa, two of Karl's star violinists, are headlining; and Maria, Karl's longtime housemaid, is in the audience.
Anna was the stand-out character for me, although she wasn't the most likable. After a troubled childhood, Anna became a selfish and immature woman. Anna at least wasn't bland; Mark was almost a non-entity for me. Maria was also an interesting character; she was very observant and knew more than the other characters gave her credit for.
This story was very quiet for me. Yes, secrets and feelings were revealed through the flashbacks, but I didn't get a sense of mystery or thrill. The writing is lyrical, almost poetic at times. Although, I did feel that maybe a bit was lost in translation; sometimes the words or phrases used didn't really fit in the context of the story or seemed out of place.
April 14, 2020
"Catalana e appassionata di musica classica, l’autrice si era fatta conoscere dal grande pubblico con il primo libro “L’ultima neve di primavera”, vincitore del Premio Llibreter. Ora torna ad emozionarci con poco più di duecento pagine che intrecciano le storie di cinque musicisti: tre donne e due uomini. Il perno di tutte le vicende è il grande compositore Karl T., del quale scopriamo riga dopo riga il modo totalizzante e appassionato di sentire e creare le note: non soltanto quelle che suona al pianoforte, riproduce con un antico Stainer ricevuto in dono dal padre o appunta sullo spartito, ma anche le note dell’amore e del fuoco ardente che ogni volta lo portano a “fare musica fino in fondo”, trasformando le sue allieve in calorose amanti".
Leggi la recensione completa qui:
https://www.nanopress.it/cultura/2014...
Leggi la recensione completa qui:
https://www.nanopress.it/cultura/2014...
February 18, 2018
This story revolves around a precious 300-year-old violin and the four people who possess it over the years, one man and three women. The chapters are headed by the names of the three female characters and thus the story unfolds. Some chapters are told through one male voice who is not one of the violin owners. It unfolds a bit slowly, as I was a bit confused for a while as to the connections between the characters, but once I got into the rest of the book there is plenty here for everyone. An unsuspected murder, a secret pregnancy, a love triangle, and betrayals. This book is translated from Spanish and I think the translation is very well done.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
October 12, 2017
So good in so many ways. The story is so original and the writing is very good. It is translated beautifully. I won't give spoilers, but just happened to choose this off the new book shelves because it was a prize winner (according to the cover). I'm glad I picked it because I probably would have never heard of it otherwise. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a good story that's hard to put down.
December 24, 2025
Amé este libro de principio a fin, la novela absolutamente redonda.
Es un libro completamente de personaje y en mi opinión, la autora lo hace muy bien exponiendo todos los personajes y puntos de vista de forma magistral.
Y, por supuesto, el protagonista: un violín, con su propia historia actuando como hilo conductor para el resto de personajes.
Se ha convertido en mi libro favorito, curioso dado que no es ni de lejos mi género habitual.
Es un libro completamente de personaje y en mi opinión, la autora lo hace muy bien exponiendo todos los personajes y puntos de vista de forma magistral.
Y, por supuesto, el protagonista: un violín, con su propia historia actuando como hilo conductor para el resto de personajes.
Se ha convertido en mi libro favorito, curioso dado que no es ni de lejos mi género habitual.
August 28, 2018
This book is written in a way that do not grip me as a reader. The different persons cunfuses and so does the missing knowlegde of the time frame for these persons. Also the connection between them.
I could not finish it. Simply too uninterestig to finish.
I could not finish it. Simply too uninterestig to finish.
August 2, 2022
Etter denne magiske boken om historien om en fiolins tilhørighet til ulike personer sammenvevd gjennom Herr Karl, må jeg si at øyet ikke var helt tørt da jeg hadde lest boken. Heretter skal jeg høre mer av Bach’s sine fiolinkonserter og spesial «En konsert for to fioliner».
May 9, 2020
En nydelig bok om hyllest til musikken, gode mennesker og sjalusi i vennskap, du hører nesten fiolinene spiller, ble glad av å lese den.
May 9, 2021
Fàcil, tàctil i emocionant. La història al voltant d’un violí, la música i les ànimes. En necessitava un així.
March 29, 2023
Molt entretingut i facil de llegir, poc critic a l'hora d'encarar alguna problematica d'alguns personatges. Tot i així, m'ha fascinat com es pot sentir la musica tant bé sense escoltar-la.
September 15, 2021
J’ai eu du mal à entrer dans l’histoire. Je mélangeais les personnages, ça me paraissait flou. Par la suite, on prend ses repères. J’ai bien aimé mais rien d’exceptionnel non plus.
January 14, 2025
Es muy bonito y cuenta la historia de personas (mujeres sobre todo) muy diferentes e interesantes.
September 1, 2015
"A volte la musica è l'unica lingua con cui si può spezzare il silenzio."
La vita in ogni respiro è un romanzo in cui la vita di tre donne diverse si intreccia con quella di un famoso direttore d'orchestra.
La storia inizia negli anni '60 in Spagna dove conosciamo la piccola Teresa che, insieme alla madre, trova in una discarica un bellissimo violino. Quel ritrovamento la porterà a scoprire l'amore per la musica e col tempo a diventare una famosa e talentuosa violinista. La sua vita si intreccerà con quella di Karl T, musicista e direttore d'orchestra, con cui collaborerà.
La narrazione si sposta poi ai giorni nostri in Germania circa 10 anni dopo la morte di Karl. In sua memoria è stato organizzato un grande concerto che vedrà protagoniste tre famose musiciste: Teresa, Anna e Maria. Tre donne che conobbero Karl, suonarono con lui e arrivarono a stringere un forte rapporto con quell'uomo che amava la musica più di qualsiasi altra cosa e che trasmise questo suo amore a chiunque lo conobbe...
Ho letto questo libro in poco tempo lasciandomi catturare dall'atmosfera delicata e da questa intrigante storia a più voci!
Il romanzo della Busquets narra una storia che si svolge tra passato e presente e che si avvale di più narratori. Leggiamo i punti di vista di Teresa, Anna e Maria, queste tre donne così diverse ma accomunate dall'amore per la musica e dal rapporto che strinsero con Karl.
Karl era tedesco ma si rifugiò a Barcellona dove continuò il suo lavoro di musicista e compositore entrando in contatto con Maria, che fu la sua domestica per anni, Anna, prima allieva e poi amante,e Teresa, la violinista che metteva l'anima nella musica.
Nel corso degli anni le storie di queste persone continueranno a intrecciarsi fino all'epilogo che chiarirà molte cose.
Non avevo mai letto nulla di quest'autrice, ma sono rimasta piacevolmente colpita dal suo stile così delicato ed elegante, e dalla narrazione equilibrata che dà il giusto spazio a ogni personaggio.
La storia ha la sua particolarità nel fatto di essere narrata da diverse persone,ogni personaggio dà la sua versione dei fatti, ognuno di loro fa luce su aspetti diversi del carattere degli altri, creando un quadro completo e ben definito!
L'evoluzione della storia avviene per gradi, col passare degli anni ogni piccolo mistero, ogni dubbio, viene pian piano risolto e alla fine tutto assume una significato ben preciso.
Ho apprezzato tutti i punti di vista: la dolcezza di Teresa, l'umiltà di Maria e l'inquietudine di Anna, e mi è davvero piaciuto molto il modo in cui l'autrice ha intrecciato le loro vite.
Infine, protagonista indiscussa è la musica che colora la vita e la rende infinitamente più bella! Una storia fatta di note, amore e amicizia!
La vita in ogni respiro è un romanzo in cui la vita di tre donne diverse si intreccia con quella di un famoso direttore d'orchestra.
La storia inizia negli anni '60 in Spagna dove conosciamo la piccola Teresa che, insieme alla madre, trova in una discarica un bellissimo violino. Quel ritrovamento la porterà a scoprire l'amore per la musica e col tempo a diventare una famosa e talentuosa violinista. La sua vita si intreccerà con quella di Karl T, musicista e direttore d'orchestra, con cui collaborerà.
La narrazione si sposta poi ai giorni nostri in Germania circa 10 anni dopo la morte di Karl. In sua memoria è stato organizzato un grande concerto che vedrà protagoniste tre famose musiciste: Teresa, Anna e Maria. Tre donne che conobbero Karl, suonarono con lui e arrivarono a stringere un forte rapporto con quell'uomo che amava la musica più di qualsiasi altra cosa e che trasmise questo suo amore a chiunque lo conobbe...
Ho letto questo libro in poco tempo lasciandomi catturare dall'atmosfera delicata e da questa intrigante storia a più voci!
Il romanzo della Busquets narra una storia che si svolge tra passato e presente e che si avvale di più narratori. Leggiamo i punti di vista di Teresa, Anna e Maria, queste tre donne così diverse ma accomunate dall'amore per la musica e dal rapporto che strinsero con Karl.
Karl era tedesco ma si rifugiò a Barcellona dove continuò il suo lavoro di musicista e compositore entrando in contatto con Maria, che fu la sua domestica per anni, Anna, prima allieva e poi amante,e Teresa, la violinista che metteva l'anima nella musica.
Nel corso degli anni le storie di queste persone continueranno a intrecciarsi fino all'epilogo che chiarirà molte cose.
Non avevo mai letto nulla di quest'autrice, ma sono rimasta piacevolmente colpita dal suo stile così delicato ed elegante, e dalla narrazione equilibrata che dà il giusto spazio a ogni personaggio.
La storia ha la sua particolarità nel fatto di essere narrata da diverse persone,ogni personaggio dà la sua versione dei fatti, ognuno di loro fa luce su aspetti diversi del carattere degli altri, creando un quadro completo e ben definito!
L'evoluzione della storia avviene per gradi, col passare degli anni ogni piccolo mistero, ogni dubbio, viene pian piano risolto e alla fine tutto assume una significato ben preciso.
Ho apprezzato tutti i punti di vista: la dolcezza di Teresa, l'umiltà di Maria e l'inquietudine di Anna, e mi è davvero piaciuto molto il modo in cui l'autrice ha intrecciato le loro vite.
Infine, protagonista indiscussa è la musica che colora la vita e la rende infinitamente più bella! Una storia fatta di note, amore e amicizia!
November 16, 2020
Me gustó mucho el libro y como esta narrado, cada capítulo muestra la visión de cada uno de los personajes y me encanta como es que todos los personajes se unen gracias a un sólo violín.
Es una novela super ligerita y digerible, muy disfrutable y por eso le doy 5 estrellas.
Es una novela super ligerita y digerible, muy disfrutable y por eso le doy 5 estrellas.
September 7, 2016
I received a free advance copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway.
This is a remarkable book, It doesn’t fall into a single category; it’s a compilation of many categories, including romance, history, class differences, personal interaction, music, and philosophy. The story is told through the eyes of four people, all connected by a valuable violin. There is little actual dialogue; the tale is revealed through the characters stream of consciousness, through their thoughts. It’s a little hard to distinguish the characters in the beginning, save for the chapter headings, but a few chapters in, they all fall into place. The writing has a bit of a choppy feeling to it. As I read, it occurred to me that it had that feeling in order to keep the rhythm of the original Catalan in which is was written. It’s an excellent translation; only a few word choices caused me to stop and ponder.
This isn’t a happy book nor a sad one. It’s a look into the lives of these people, the four through whom you hear the story and the fifth who is missing (but spoken about); he's the reason for the “silence” of the title, because he is silent through the telling. The characters are well developed, each distinct. They draw from you emotion, mostly sadness and a touch of pity. The final plot twist was brilliant and completely unforeseen. This is a book that offers much depth and will likely require a second, possibly a third, reading to extract all it has to offer.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick read, once you get into the rhythm, and hard to put down.
This is a remarkable book, It doesn’t fall into a single category; it’s a compilation of many categories, including romance, history, class differences, personal interaction, music, and philosophy. The story is told through the eyes of four people, all connected by a valuable violin. There is little actual dialogue; the tale is revealed through the characters stream of consciousness, through their thoughts. It’s a little hard to distinguish the characters in the beginning, save for the chapter headings, but a few chapters in, they all fall into place. The writing has a bit of a choppy feeling to it. As I read, it occurred to me that it had that feeling in order to keep the rhythm of the original Catalan in which is was written. It’s an excellent translation; only a few word choices caused me to stop and ponder.
This isn’t a happy book nor a sad one. It’s a look into the lives of these people, the four through whom you hear the story and the fifth who is missing (but spoken about); he's the reason for the “silence” of the title, because he is silent through the telling. The characters are well developed, each distinct. They draw from you emotion, mostly sadness and a touch of pity. The final plot twist was brilliant and completely unforeseen. This is a book that offers much depth and will likely require a second, possibly a third, reading to extract all it has to offer.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick read, once you get into the rhythm, and hard to put down.
November 11, 2016
First of all, I received this book in exchange for an honest review:
This is an honest review: I loved it! It's beautifully (sometimes sparely) written.
Busquets is extremely deft at moving between characters and back and forth in time, creating mysteries and intensity in relationships. Each narrator, starting with Teresa, the little girl who finds a violin in the garbage dump, and Maria, who becomes housekeeper to a great conductor, tell the story in their own time and place. The souls of humans, violins, and music sing out to us.
As the book starts, Teresa gains a violin that helps her climb out of poverty, Maria finds a fascinating home with Karl the composer/conductor, Anna practices violin and reacts to a mother who ignores her. As the book continues, all three women form relationships with Karl and his son Mark and become acquainted with each other.
For some of you, this may be a slow confusing read (and in fact I read it unnecessarily slowly to savor it). Most of the action is within relationships and within the characters, but it is not at all dull. You will be asked as a reader to pay attention, and in return you will chuckle, tear up, and want to scream at the antics and differing perspectives of these absorbing characters. The ending is also very satisfying. Enjoy.
This is an honest review: I loved it! It's beautifully (sometimes sparely) written.
Busquets is extremely deft at moving between characters and back and forth in time, creating mysteries and intensity in relationships. Each narrator, starting with Teresa, the little girl who finds a violin in the garbage dump, and Maria, who becomes housekeeper to a great conductor, tell the story in their own time and place. The souls of humans, violins, and music sing out to us.
As the book starts, Teresa gains a violin that helps her climb out of poverty, Maria finds a fascinating home with Karl the composer/conductor, Anna practices violin and reacts to a mother who ignores her. As the book continues, all three women form relationships with Karl and his son Mark and become acquainted with each other.
For some of you, this may be a slow confusing read (and in fact I read it unnecessarily slowly to savor it). Most of the action is within relationships and within the characters, but it is not at all dull. You will be asked as a reader to pay attention, and in return you will chuckle, tear up, and want to scream at the antics and differing perspectives of these absorbing characters. The ending is also very satisfying. Enjoy.
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