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In the Key of Genius: The Extraordinary Life of Derek Paravicini
Derek Paravicini is blind, doesn’t know his fingers from his thumbs and needs round-the-clock care. But he has an rare gift — he is a musical prodigy who amazes all who hear him play.
279 pages, Hardcover
First published May 22, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 22, 2010
i loved this book. it was a marvelously compelling read -- especially considering the fact that the author is derek's piano teacher and not a "writer". scott and i had watched a segment on derek paravicini on 60 minutes earlier this year and it was such an interesting and inspiring piece that when they mentioned this book i just knew i had to get it and read it. i found his story to be truly heart-warming. i love how vested first Nanny and then Adam were in helping derek to develop not only musically but as a person as well. (although i did find it a bit odd how little his parents factored into the equation, but perhaps that's just a product of the english class system).
May 14, 2023
after watching the 60 minutes interview, i was very excited to read this book and learn more about derek
i don’t normally read nonfiction literature, but this book was very good, albeit quiet short. however, it did give more insight onto all the difficulties in derek’s lifetime, without being too patronizing
not my favorite book, but an overall pleasant read
4 ⭐️
i don’t normally read nonfiction literature, but this book was very good, albeit quiet short. however, it did give more insight onto all the difficulties in derek’s lifetime, without being too patronizing
not my favorite book, but an overall pleasant read
4 ⭐️
February 10, 2017
Not a particularly well-written book, but the subject matter is fascinating. Derek is a remarkable man
with a a touch of genius. Really interesting.
with a a touch of genius. Really interesting.
March 8, 2014
The writing was pretty bland, but the real-life story of a blind, autistic piano prodigy is incredible. I first saw Derek on 60 Minutes, and thought he was amazing. I showed the segment to my then girlfriend, she showed it to her middle schoolers. It’s very inspiring. I’m glad I read the book, but what I really want is to hear him play. Realizing the abundance of YouTube clips of his playing, I wish I had been listening/watching these clips periodically while reading. Plus, maybe I could have become more familiar with the (what I considered obscure) artists & pieces Derek plays in the book.
April 19, 2018
I stumbled upon this book quite accidentally after watching a YouTube clip of Derek playing -- the clip itself was one of those "You might also like..." things that YouTube pops up when you watch something, so this was a very circuitous route indeed!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanywho, I found this book riveting from the get-go. Ockelford is a very good (and very funny!) writer, and clearly also a sensitive, intuitive and gifted teacher. He also has an uncanny ability as both biographer (of Derek) and autobiographer (of his own involvement with Derek) to step back out of the spotlight and let the story tell itself.
One quote late in the book sums up Ockelford's approach to his own writing, his work, and to Derek himself, particularly in regard to Derek's public appearances, the majority of which Ockelford facilitated (and for which, presumably, he has taken some criticism -- undeserved, IMHO): "... there were two main challenges: how to give people an idea of things in everyday life that Derek found difficult without demeaning him, and how to depict his exceptional talents without indulging in freakery."
This book does both, beautifully.
And I was delighted to learn recently that Mr Ockelford has another book forthcoming, which I cannot wait to read.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanywho, I found this book riveting from the get-go. Ockelford is a very good (and very funny!) writer, and clearly also a sensitive, intuitive and gifted teacher. He also has an uncanny ability as both biographer (of Derek) and autobiographer (of his own involvement with Derek) to step back out of the spotlight and let the story tell itself.
One quote late in the book sums up Ockelford's approach to his own writing, his work, and to Derek himself, particularly in regard to Derek's public appearances, the majority of which Ockelford facilitated (and for which, presumably, he has taken some criticism -- undeserved, IMHO): "... there were two main challenges: how to give people an idea of things in everyday life that Derek found difficult without demeaning him, and how to depict his exceptional talents without indulging in freakery."
This book does both, beautifully.
And I was delighted to learn recently that Mr Ockelford has another book forthcoming, which I cannot wait to read.
January 30, 2017
Well written non fiction
The danger of non fiction is to throw too many names and places at your readers. This tome is safe and reads like your favorite home town hero tale. Inspiring without being sappy, informative without being professorial. I would recommend it to any music lover or non fiction readers
The danger of non fiction is to throw too many names and places at your readers. This tome is safe and reads like your favorite home town hero tale. Inspiring without being sappy, informative without being professorial. I would recommend it to any music lover or non fiction readers
June 1, 2025
I think Derek deserves a much better biography than this. The author obviously knows his stuff, but the book doesn’t reflect this. Superficial and not nearly as interesting as it could or should be.
March 25, 2020
On a scale of 1-5, I give it a TEN!
March 13, 2021
Very interesting looking at an extroadinary life.
August 18, 2022
Good good, concert better!
March 11, 2017
This book tells the story of a premature baby boy thought to be dead at birth who miraculously survives only to be discovered to be blind and suffering with autism. Surprisingly it is discovered that Derek has exceptional musical talent which he employs as his only real means of communication. Faced with numerous challenges Derek evolves into a world class musician and entertainer. A fascinating feature of this story is all the points in his path forward at which his future could easily have been derailed. However, like a human Plinko machine his amazing family, nanny, and any teachers including Adam guide him through each decision point through to success. An excellent story that is magnificently told and well worth the read.
March 13, 2017
This was a great story with good writing. It was a quick read, which was especially nice after reading a few longer books. While there was some heavier content, there was also a lot of humor sprinkled in, keeping the pace and the tone of the book overall easy to read. My only real complaint were a few strange features in the writing, like several places where the author used two of the same word in a row, like “that that.” Other than that, it was well-written and enjoyable.
To visit my memoir review blog:
https://memoir.blog/ (home)
https://memoir.blog/in-the-key-of-gen... (this book)
To visit my memoir review blog:
https://memoir.blog/ (home)
https://memoir.blog/in-the-key-of-gen... (this book)
December 5, 2015
Heartwarming and easy to read, but it left me with thoughts.
Ockelford raises issues of how people with disabilities are treated several times. Can Derek consent to play in public? Will media portrayals use Derek as an inspirational prop? Will they misrepresent him to further their own myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities? How best can he and Derek's other teachers and caregivers prepare him to live a fulfilling adult life?
I'm not sure this book necessarily addresses the concerns raised. The writer is Derek's long-time piano teacher; his career is intertwined with Derek's in some ways. This is almost an autobiography, not of the teacher but of the teacher's impressions of his student's progress, with other material from discussions with his family. I find myself asking, did Derek consent to this book? Would he? Could he? The portrayal is positive and will presumably help Derek sell CDs, though given his personality in the book I'm not sure he'd care. His focus seems to be on live performances.
And then there's Nanny. She has a name--Ockelford mentions it near the start of the book--but I can't recall it. Instead we see her throughout, almost as if from Derek's perspective. I'm left feeling like we know very little about the most important person in Derek's young life.
Anyway... it's probably good to walk away from a book about real people feeling like maybe you only know an illusory version of them. Maybe more books should be so unsettling.
Ockelford raises issues of how people with disabilities are treated several times. Can Derek consent to play in public? Will media portrayals use Derek as an inspirational prop? Will they misrepresent him to further their own myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities? How best can he and Derek's other teachers and caregivers prepare him to live a fulfilling adult life?
I'm not sure this book necessarily addresses the concerns raised. The writer is Derek's long-time piano teacher; his career is intertwined with Derek's in some ways. This is almost an autobiography, not of the teacher but of the teacher's impressions of his student's progress, with other material from discussions with his family. I find myself asking, did Derek consent to this book? Would he? Could he? The portrayal is positive and will presumably help Derek sell CDs, though given his personality in the book I'm not sure he'd care. His focus seems to be on live performances.
And then there's Nanny. She has a name--Ockelford mentions it near the start of the book--but I can't recall it. Instead we see her throughout, almost as if from Derek's perspective. I'm left feeling like we know very little about the most important person in Derek's young life.
Anyway... it's probably good to walk away from a book about real people feeling like maybe you only know an illusory version of them. Maybe more books should be so unsettling.
November 14, 2013
Best quote ever: "Hello, Diana, would you like to touch my wart?"
Derek's story is just amazing. My biggest critique of the book is that I would have liked to have read more about what his everyday life was like outside of piano performances. And I get that that was a huge part of his life, but learning more about his progression into maturity and what that was like would have been nice. Awesome story. So-so writing.
Derek's story is just amazing. My biggest critique of the book is that I would have liked to have read more about what his everyday life was like outside of piano performances. And I get that that was a huge part of his life, but learning more about his progression into maturity and what that was like would have been nice. Awesome story. So-so writing.
June 16, 2013
Excellent book by a music professor who specializes in working with children with disabilities and Derek, a student with amazing talent on the piano. Adam started working with Derek regularly when Derek was
young (he started piano at two) and travelled with him as Derek began performing. Lots of info on working with talented, brain injured children. Derek was part of the Parker-Bowles family in England (as in Camilla).
young (he started piano at two) and travelled with him as Derek began performing. Lots of info on working with talented, brain injured children. Derek was part of the Parker-Bowles family in England (as in Camilla).
September 22, 2011
It was an okay story about the extraordinary talents of a blind child. It read like a term paper and was an easy read. It was my book club selection so I read it. I had to buy it because our library didn't have it. I would not recommend it
February 15, 2015
Loved this story. Dereck has an extraordinary gift. He has the opportunity to grow and learn because of the love and guidance of those around him that see his potential. He is able to share his gift in a way that brings joy to himself and others around him.
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March 22, 2010Still to be read...
September 2, 2010
This is an amazing story and a well-written book. I can't wait to find a Derek Paravicini CD!
April 8, 2012
Fascinating. What an extraordinary story! Having perfect pitch myself, I would recommend this to anyone with aural curiosity...
February 7, 2016
Fascinating!
September 6, 2016
Much of the musical terminology was lost on me, but the caregiver perspective resonated deeply with me!
November 8, 2014
I found it interesting to read about this blind and autistic boy who is an amazing pianist.
March 26, 2017
After seeing a 60 Minutes interview about Derek, I looked up his story and came across this book written by his piano teacher. This was a wonderful and insightful book that was tastefully written. Derek is simply amazing.
March 30, 2017
Amazing story—not only the story of Derek, but the story of his Nanny, his piano teacher(s). An amazing story of hope when there seems to be no hope. An amazing story of the way all human beings are fearlessly and wonderfully made.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews