Stradivarius

by Donald P. Ladew

An inspirational story of young love and the transforming power of music, Stradivarius is a novel that will engage and delight everyone who believes that wonderful things can happen to good people. On the Korean peninsula during the freezing winter of 1951, a wounded American soldier finds a rare violin in the wall of a farmhouse where he has taken refuge. This is the beautifully told story of how a centuries-old Stradivarius came to be in that unlikely place and how it changed the life of all who possessed it. For this great instrument carries with it a kind of magic and all who use it well are wrapped in its beneficent spell. This is also the story of two families from different cultures and different parts of the one rural, Baptist, Southern; the other, sophisticated, European, Jewish. The link between them is an abiding love of great music, possession of the violin, and the boy genius from the mountains of West Virginia, Ailey Barkwood. The remarkable route by which the violin reaches Ailey's talented hands, the course of love between two special but very different young people, and how great music, real genius, and moral choices can alter destiny are the ingredients that make Donald Ladew's tale a novel that can be read, reread and remembered.

Genres: Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one years ago and loved it. If you get a chance to pick it up please do!

[Bruce Deming · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the nicest stories I have read. Total pleasure! Simply told, heartwarming, with many interwoven themes and types of people (widely varying backgrounds) smoothly integrated with a loving hand.

A charmer.

With Harper Lee"s new book out Go Set A Watchman ( 7/14/2015) out and myself not quite as interested in the new story line from reviews I picked this up again and realized I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the southern rural West Virginia people in this book. The main character and child prodigy is Ailey Barkwood a hard working fun loving sometimes too very hard on himself lad who likes his fishin' and bluegrass too.

His Uncle Luther is another fine country Character back from a very hard go in The Korean War.

I think the rural mores, troubles and cares come through quite nicely while this story also adds in an arrogant frenchman, and his sweet daughter (Ysaye family) along with the New York Jewish culture and a sweet old rabbi.

Oh... and of course some quick short chapters carrying the Stradivarius violin Hercules from its creation, through the hands of master violinists up to the current time in the novel.

Delightful and simply told as it reads without strain. smooth and simple.

This is a story I might and do pick up and reread every few years.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story. I was a little nervous at first that it was all going to be about war but it was just the first chapter or so and definitely important to the development of Luther's character. It's interesting how the story connects in the end. On I side note I wish more people learned southern manners and the importance of doing work to make things right.

[Kathy Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this wonderful,amazing,touching,pure book. Never have enjoyed a book as much as i did this one. Pure simple writing that kept you wanting to read without putting down. Toward the end of the book last chapter 3 chapters, I knew I didn't want the story to end. It was a surprise ending .. Loved it ....

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!--beautiful, musical story

[Marci Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book! loved the characters - it left me really wanting to hear the music they described being played. A joy to reaad!

[Vanessa Weese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I return to this book again and again. The author really captured the essence of what it is like to hear a beautiful instrument.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel tells the story of a Stradivarius violin's unlikely journey across three centuries and three continents. From its creation in Cremona, Italy, it is recognized as one of the finest instruments ever turned out by the master luthier. Its passage from one great violinist to another seems assured and logical, but life isn't always so predictable.
The violin changes the lives of an American veteran of the Korean War and a poor boy from the hills of West Virginia, and readers get to experience all of the adventure, intrigue, heartbreak, and joy that story can hold.
The author has brought many diverse characters to vivid life here, and also manages that most difficult feat of writing well about music without resorting to too many clichés or too much specialized language.

[Lauren Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music is so powerful it can bring people together. Secrets are kept for the ones that we love and the world needs to learn to compromise with others and the author does a great job bringing that idea to life.