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The Silver Swan: A Novel
A debut novel about a daughter grappling with the legacy of her famous and imposing cellist father, the secrets he has hidden from her, and the fate of his great Stradivarius cello.
Alexander Feldmann is a revered and sought-after performer whose prodigious talent, striking good looks and worldly charm prove irresistible to all who hear and encounter him. After years of searching, he acquires a glorious cello, The Silver Swan, a rare Stradivarius masterpiece long lost to the world of music.
Mariana is Alexander’s only child and the maestro has large ambitions for her. By the age of nineteen she emerges as a star cellist in her own right, and is seen as the inheritor of her father's genius. There are whispers that her career might well outpace his. Mariana believes The Silver Swan will one day be hers, until a stunning secret from her father’s past entwines her fate and that of The Silver Swan in ways she could never have imagined.
Alexander Feldmann is a revered and sought-after performer whose prodigious talent, striking good looks and worldly charm prove irresistible to all who hear and encounter him. After years of searching, he acquires a glorious cello, The Silver Swan, a rare Stradivarius masterpiece long lost to the world of music.
Mariana is Alexander’s only child and the maestro has large ambitions for her. By the age of nineteen she emerges as a star cellist in her own right, and is seen as the inheritor of her father's genius. There are whispers that her career might well outpace his. Mariana believes The Silver Swan will one day be hers, until a stunning secret from her father’s past entwines her fate and that of The Silver Swan in ways she could never have imagined.
232 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 15, 2015
The Silver Swan by Elena Delbanco is a story about a beautiful cello called the Silver Swan. The Silver Swan is a Stradivarius with beautiful silver swans on the carved wooden scroll. Alexander Feldmann, a famous cellist, owned the instrument. Mariana, his daughter, was raised playing the beautiful cello and was always told that the cello would belong to her one day. Mariana takes care of her father when he gets older and needs assistance. After he passes away, she goes to the reading of the will. Mariana does not understand the presence of Claude Roselle and his mother at the reading until she hears the will. Alexander left the Silver Swan to Claude, a cellist making his American debut. Claude was a student of Alexander’s when Alexander was in Europe (touring). Mariana is shocked and upset. Her father’s will states he left it to Claude because Mariana is no longer a soloist.
Claude feels a little guilty about the cello and invites Mariana to his concert and the reception. Claude and Mariana get to know each other and end up having an affair. But the path to happiness is not smooth. Read The Silver Swan to find out what happens between Claude and Mariana as well as the fate of the Silver Swan. I give The Silver Swan 2.75 out of 5. I just found it okay. It was very predictable. I knew what the outcome would be before they read the will. Please note that The Silver Swan does contain sex scenes and foul language (not extreme).
I received a complimentary copy of The Silver Swan from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Claude feels a little guilty about the cello and invites Mariana to his concert and the reception. Claude and Mariana get to know each other and end up having an affair. But the path to happiness is not smooth. Read The Silver Swan to find out what happens between Claude and Mariana as well as the fate of the Silver Swan. I give The Silver Swan 2.75 out of 5. I just found it okay. It was very predictable. I knew what the outcome would be before they read the will. Please note that The Silver Swan does contain sex scenes and foul language (not extreme).
I received a complimentary copy of The Silver Swan from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
April 5, 2017
Ах този Александър, дори и след смъртта си е по-споменаван..
Много съм разочарована. Корицата подвежда, че историята ще е красива. Нищо подобно. Единствената дума, с която мога да я опиша е скучна. А развръзката между Мариана и Клод.. Не искам да пиша спойлери, ноо.....
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..... кръвосмешение WTF?
Баща й щял да се обърне в гроба заради, немърливостта й към лебеда. А това, че спи с брат си...
Както и да е, ти си има нов ухажор Андрю, преподавате по френска литература в Харвард. И познайте какво... приятелството им с Клод е странно и си говорят само на френски.
Оо боже, какво четох?!
Та, дори корицата няма да ме навие да си я купя. Давам 1 звезда повече, заради българската корица.
Много съм разочарована. Корицата подвежда, че историята ще е красива. Нищо подобно. Единствената дума, с която мога да я опиша е скучна. А развръзката между Мариана и Клод.. Не искам да пиша спойлери, ноо.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..... кръвосмешение WTF?
Баща й щял да се обърне в гроба заради, немърливостта й към лебеда. А това, че спи с брат си...
Както и да е, ти си има нов ухажор Андрю, преподавате по френска литература в Харвард. И познайте какво... приятелството им с Клод е странно и си говорят само на френски.
Оо боже, какво четох?!
Та, дори корицата няма да ме навие да си я купя. Давам 1 звезда повече, заради българската корица.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2016
A fascinating novel, this audiobook is narrated by Amanda Lee Cobb. Here is the very good review that says everything I need to say about it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The only thing I would have like included in the audiobook would be MUCH MORE CELLO PLAYING.
Three stars, and recommended for lovers of romance novels, or classical music. Or cellists.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The only thing I would have like included in the audiobook would be MUCH MORE CELLO PLAYING.
Three stars, and recommended for lovers of romance novels, or classical music. Or cellists.
July 11, 2015
A mix of high-brow [distinguished cellists and a rare Stradivarius] and low-brow [affairs, questionable paternity, revenge] in a compact novel makes this an ideal summer read. Author Elena Delbanco knows the music world—her father was a prominent cellist who owned a Stradivarius—she knows this subject and utilized that knowledge to effectively advance the storylines. The only child of world-renowned cellist Alexander Feldmann inherits less than she expected when he dies. Instead his precious Stradivarius goes to a former student, an exceptional cellist named Claude Roselle. Delbanco writes: “She felt so painfully Alexander’s disloyalty, the punishment he had dealt her for failing to live up to his expectations, the final lacerating blow to what remained of her fragile sense that he had ever loved her. He had waited until he extracted every last drop of her devotion. Then, dying, he had delivered the coup de grace.”
In a bit of fated sacrifice, Mariana quit her promising musical career to care for her ailing father. Now she discovers that her father may have favored his pupil Claude to his daughter. Her arrogant father traveled the world and left his wife and daughter behind. He had a secret lifelong mistress in Europe. These events cause turmoil in Mariana’s life. Claude takes after his mentor. He’s equally devoted to music and doesn’t desire any familial or relationship commitments– “At thirty-seven, on the brink of international success, major opportunities and engagements, he did not want to marry or have a child.”
Alexander didn’t entirely support his daughter’s goals. “Alexander would say that women were simply not as musically gifted as men—women were never meant to have important careers in music. They didn’t have the creativity or endurance. The life was too hard.” How awful for Mariana. As I was reading I thought that either there would be a clichéd plot turn that I expected or that there’s a truly sinister character and motive. Turns out both. The music coverage and the vengeance aspect worked. Various twists and turns produce a delightful, brisk page-turner. An angry, embittered Mariana refuses to be taken advantage of ever again. A woman scorned by her father and then by Claude after they embark on a love affair, she takes matters into her own hands and decides to enact revenge on both parties. She’s clever, resilient and a layered character. Most everyone can relate to Mariana’s dilemma. Readers will root for Mariana to succeed and adore every minute of it.
published at Entertainment Realm: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2015/07...
In a bit of fated sacrifice, Mariana quit her promising musical career to care for her ailing father. Now she discovers that her father may have favored his pupil Claude to his daughter. Her arrogant father traveled the world and left his wife and daughter behind. He had a secret lifelong mistress in Europe. These events cause turmoil in Mariana’s life. Claude takes after his mentor. He’s equally devoted to music and doesn’t desire any familial or relationship commitments– “At thirty-seven, on the brink of international success, major opportunities and engagements, he did not want to marry or have a child.”
Alexander didn’t entirely support his daughter’s goals. “Alexander would say that women were simply not as musically gifted as men—women were never meant to have important careers in music. They didn’t have the creativity or endurance. The life was too hard.” How awful for Mariana. As I was reading I thought that either there would be a clichéd plot turn that I expected or that there’s a truly sinister character and motive. Turns out both. The music coverage and the vengeance aspect worked. Various twists and turns produce a delightful, brisk page-turner. An angry, embittered Mariana refuses to be taken advantage of ever again. A woman scorned by her father and then by Claude after they embark on a love affair, she takes matters into her own hands and decides to enact revenge on both parties. She’s clever, resilient and a layered character. Most everyone can relate to Mariana’s dilemma. Readers will root for Mariana to succeed and adore every minute of it.
published at Entertainment Realm: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2015/07...
July 28, 2015
Musical prodigy Alexander Friedman mesmerized all those he performed for --- none more than his adoring daughter and only child, Mariana. When he passes away a hole is left in her life. However, not nearly as much as when she learns his prized possession --- the Silver Swan violin --- is left to another relative instead of her. What proceeds takes a big step down from this interesting beginning. Where the Silver Swan could have been made more mysterious, possibly even supernatural, instead it is just an object of desire in a novel that is more about family ties and secrets than mystery and suspense.
May 31, 2016
Romantic Music with a Flaw
As a musician myself, I generally stay away from novels about music, because the authors so rarely get it right. But Elena Delbanco is the daughter of the late Bernard Greenhouse, the founding cellist of the Beaux Arts Trio, who played on a famous Stradivarius. So she should know about musicians, their egos, and their instruments. And as co-founder of the Bennington Writing Workshops, she can presumably write. At the beginning, I was seduced by Delbanco's smooth style and her obvious knowledge of what it was to grow up in the household of a great performer. Then gradually, in a number of small ways, I began to question her insight as a musician. Though my more serious problem was with her as a writer, as I watched her heading into a plot contrivance from which it would be almost impossible to escape with any grace
Thirty-something Mariana in the novel is the daughter of the great cellist Alexander Feldmann, who used to play upon a Stradivarius known as "The Silver Swan." Although poised to have a great solo career herself, she has given it up in favor of occasional chamber music and caring for her dying father. It is understood that she will inherit the Swan, supposedly worth many millions. But before the reading of the will in the first chapter, the lawyer hands her a letter in which her father confesses to a lifelong affair with a Swiss singer, and his work over the years teaching this woman's son, Claude Roselle, a young cellist just beginning to make his career in Europe. Even thus prepared, Mariana is horrified when the will is read, leaving the Swan to Claude. She feels utterly betrayed.
Not a surprising reaction. So it makes it difficult to understand why Mariana eagerly accepts an invitation to Claude's New York debut a few days later, falling head over heels into a passionate affair. Claude does not appear to know that his mother and her teacher were lovers—but the reader of course is going to be well ahead of them, just waiting for the remaining shoe to drop, and watching their relationship with different eyes. I might have found it less preposterous and marginally less distasteful had Delbanco been able to convince me of the musical bonds between the two. But in a scene in which Mariana lies naked on his hotel bed critiquing his playing, supposedly passing on the wisdom of her great father, what she actually says is advice that you would give to a third-year student, not an international artist.* Delbanco can describe the world of the professional musician just fine, but she lacks the ability to penetrate the music from inside.
There is one weird scene narrated in flashback, where Mariana's mother comes into her room at night, accusing her of a kind of incest: flirting with her own father, and trying to come between them. Outrageous, perhaps, but in a way true. For one thing that comes through clearly is Feldmann's total self-centeredness, unable to relate even to his own daughter other than as either accessory to his greatness or potential rival. This I can believe. And I can also believe that, with such an upbringing, Mariana's subsequent romantic life should be a twisted replay of her relationship with her father.** Freud would have had a field day, but it makes for disturbing reading—too disturbing to be treated in the format of a beach romance.
I cannot get it out of my mind that the novel was written by a woman who also had a towering musical figure as a father. I feel she would have been better to explore her personal material in a far more direct way, or avoid it entirely.
+ + + + + +
*
"You mustn't always emphasize the beginning of the phrase," she'd say. "And don't play repeated phrases in the same way. Use your imagination." Mariana's advice to Claude is on the mark, of course, but he would already have learned those lessons as a child.
**
As a musician myself, I generally stay away from novels about music, because the authors so rarely get it right. But Elena Delbanco is the daughter of the late Bernard Greenhouse, the founding cellist of the Beaux Arts Trio, who played on a famous Stradivarius. So she should know about musicians, their egos, and their instruments. And as co-founder of the Bennington Writing Workshops, she can presumably write. At the beginning, I was seduced by Delbanco's smooth style and her obvious knowledge of what it was to grow up in the household of a great performer. Then gradually, in a number of small ways, I began to question her insight as a musician. Though my more serious problem was with her as a writer, as I watched her heading into a plot contrivance from which it would be almost impossible to escape with any grace
Thirty-something Mariana in the novel is the daughter of the great cellist Alexander Feldmann, who used to play upon a Stradivarius known as "The Silver Swan." Although poised to have a great solo career herself, she has given it up in favor of occasional chamber music and caring for her dying father. It is understood that she will inherit the Swan, supposedly worth many millions. But before the reading of the will in the first chapter, the lawyer hands her a letter in which her father confesses to a lifelong affair with a Swiss singer, and his work over the years teaching this woman's son, Claude Roselle, a young cellist just beginning to make his career in Europe. Even thus prepared, Mariana is horrified when the will is read, leaving the Swan to Claude. She feels utterly betrayed.
Not a surprising reaction. So it makes it difficult to understand why Mariana eagerly accepts an invitation to Claude's New York debut a few days later, falling head over heels into a passionate affair. Claude does not appear to know that his mother and her teacher were lovers—but the reader of course is going to be well ahead of them, just waiting for the remaining shoe to drop, and watching their relationship with different eyes. I might have found it less preposterous and marginally less distasteful had Delbanco been able to convince me of the musical bonds between the two. But in a scene in which Mariana lies naked on his hotel bed critiquing his playing, supposedly passing on the wisdom of her great father, what she actually says is advice that you would give to a third-year student, not an international artist.* Delbanco can describe the world of the professional musician just fine, but she lacks the ability to penetrate the music from inside.
There is one weird scene narrated in flashback, where Mariana's mother comes into her room at night, accusing her of a kind of incest: flirting with her own father, and trying to come between them. Outrageous, perhaps, but in a way true. For one thing that comes through clearly is Feldmann's total self-centeredness, unable to relate even to his own daughter other than as either accessory to his greatness or potential rival. This I can believe. And I can also believe that, with such an upbringing, Mariana's subsequent romantic life should be a twisted replay of her relationship with her father.** Freud would have had a field day, but it makes for disturbing reading—too disturbing to be treated in the format of a beach romance.
I cannot get it out of my mind that the novel was written by a woman who also had a towering musical figure as a father. I feel she would have been better to explore her personal material in a far more direct way, or avoid it entirely.
+ + + + + +
*
"You mustn't always emphasize the beginning of the phrase," she'd say. "And don't play repeated phrases in the same way. Use your imagination." Mariana's advice to Claude is on the mark, of course, but he would already have learned those lessons as a child.
**
October 4, 2015
Alexander Feldman is a virtuoso violinist and well regarded teacher who is sought after for his talents and revered by the music community. He is also volatile, passionate, and sometimes cruel. In the middle of his career, he bought the Silver Swan, a Stradivarius cello, to play for his career and pass on to his daughter, Mariana. She performs and teaches well herself, but abruptly quits her career after a failed concert and a scandal involving a years long affair with a married conductor. Now, she focuses on taking care of her father as a passes 90 years old. He passes away and leaves her a note, detailing his decades long affair with another woman. Then another bomb drops when he leaves the beloved and priceless Silver Swan to that woman's son, Claude Roselle, so the cello can continue to be heard in performance. These revelations turn Mariana's world upside down and she starts to come apart at the seams.
I am a musician and love music, so I have a hard time passing up books about music. The Silver Swan has a lot of enjoyable elements. Alexander's magnetic presence is all over the novel, even after he has died. He is wonderful and terrible all at once. His tremendous talent makes him justify his giant ego and his selfish, demanding nature. It was especially interesting to see all sides of him and how each character viewed him. Mariana sees the most of both. He wants her to succeed and become great, but he also doesn't want her to surpass him, so he puts her down whenever he can. Their relationship is complex and difficult. The musical elements are well described and actually accurate.
Unfortunately, all the characters are pretty awful. Mariana seems pretty reasonable and relatable at first, but rapidly becomes unlikable. She is so upset that her dad cheated for so long, but she had a years long affair with a married man as well. It doesn't really make sense. I'm more surprised that he didn't have more lovers and children out there. Claude is just a huge douchebag. He begins an affair with Mariana while he is in a committed relationship with someone else without disclosing it when Mariana specifically asked. He ignores his girlfriend when he's with Mariana and then Mariana when he's with his girlfriend. Then he wonders why everyone is mad at him and laments over wanting to be free from being tied down while also sleeping with any woman he wants. Claude is the whiniest, childish idiot and I kind wish he would just shut up. The whole book is like two children fighting over a toy.
Some of the plot developments got really weird and V.C. Andrews-esque. There's a really weird scene where Mariana's mom accuses her of incest and replacing her with Alexander. It was really off the wall and out of place. There was enough there to be interesting without venturing into this territory. The back cover touts it as being sensual and sexy, but it's really quite awkward and not very well written. Overall, The Silver Swan is an interesting read but has a lot of big flaws that makes it insufferable by the end.
I am a musician and love music, so I have a hard time passing up books about music. The Silver Swan has a lot of enjoyable elements. Alexander's magnetic presence is all over the novel, even after he has died. He is wonderful and terrible all at once. His tremendous talent makes him justify his giant ego and his selfish, demanding nature. It was especially interesting to see all sides of him and how each character viewed him. Mariana sees the most of both. He wants her to succeed and become great, but he also doesn't want her to surpass him, so he puts her down whenever he can. Their relationship is complex and difficult. The musical elements are well described and actually accurate.
Unfortunately, all the characters are pretty awful. Mariana seems pretty reasonable and relatable at first, but rapidly becomes unlikable. She is so upset that her dad cheated for so long, but she had a years long affair with a married man as well. It doesn't really make sense. I'm more surprised that he didn't have more lovers and children out there. Claude is just a huge douchebag. He begins an affair with Mariana while he is in a committed relationship with someone else without disclosing it when Mariana specifically asked. He ignores his girlfriend when he's with Mariana and then Mariana when he's with his girlfriend. Then he wonders why everyone is mad at him and laments over wanting to be free from being tied down while also sleeping with any woman he wants. Claude is the whiniest, childish idiot and I kind wish he would just shut up. The whole book is like two children fighting over a toy.
Some of the plot developments got really weird and V.C. Andrews-esque. There's a really weird scene where Mariana's mom accuses her of incest and replacing her with Alexander. It was really off the wall and out of place. There was enough there to be interesting without venturing into this territory. The back cover touts it as being sensual and sexy, but it's really quite awkward and not very well written. Overall, The Silver Swan is an interesting read but has a lot of big flaws that makes it insufferable by the end.
March 24, 2016
A page-turner. It’s engrossing. It’s a fictionalized biography of the author’s family. Her father, Bernard Greenhouse, is recreated here as “Alexander,” a renowned cellist, as was Greenhouse, a member of the Beaux Arts Trio and owner of the “Silver Swan” – a 17th cello built by Stradivarius. It’s worth a fortune. Alexander, (presumably like Greenhouse), was a faithless, narcissistic bastard. Yet the daughter (the author) infuses the tale with genuine love and affection—this despite countless betrayals and demonstrations of callous self-absorption. It's a page turner. I read it in one gulp.
Samples of the author’s fine writing:
"In the fall before his ninetieth birthday, Feldman had been honored by fiends & musicians at a concert [at the 92nd St Y].” In the taxi en route home, he turns to his daughter and says: “'Sweetheart, al my life I've wanted only one thing for you.' Marianna held her breath. What had he wanted? 'I wished for you that before I died you would see me honored the way I was tonight, and you would know how greatly I have been esteemed.'"
A bit later:
"What had he given her? She asks herself. If not attention, if not his interest in her life or a notion of happiness beyond the fulfillment of her talent as a cellist, if not the Silver Swan itself, what had he given her? ... Alexander gave her music. Not the music she performed on stage, not the career, not the search for fame, but exquisite music itself - the capacity to hear it, feel it, play it, and be transported to a place of beauty and solace. "These gifts from Alexander," she tells herself, "are not nothing."
Samples of the author’s fine writing:
"In the fall before his ninetieth birthday, Feldman had been honored by fiends & musicians at a concert [at the 92nd St Y].” In the taxi en route home, he turns to his daughter and says: “'Sweetheart, al my life I've wanted only one thing for you.' Marianna held her breath. What had he wanted? 'I wished for you that before I died you would see me honored the way I was tonight, and you would know how greatly I have been esteemed.'"
A bit later:
"What had he given her? She asks herself. If not attention, if not his interest in her life or a notion of happiness beyond the fulfillment of her talent as a cellist, if not the Silver Swan itself, what had he given her? ... Alexander gave her music. Not the music she performed on stage, not the career, not the search for fame, but exquisite music itself - the capacity to hear it, feel it, play it, and be transported to a place of beauty and solace. "These gifts from Alexander," she tells herself, "are not nothing."
December 5, 2016
4.5 stars
Delbanco’s debut is full of passion, secrets and revelations, a concert for all senses. With music as her polestar, beautiful backdrops and a vividly descriptive dialogue she creates a masterful symphony of words. Her star(s) including the Stradivarius are interesting, eccentric and engaging and her chorus of co-stars give the read complexity. But it's the turbulence of emotions she puts Mariana and Claude through that make this a keeper!
When cellist virtuoso Alexander Feldmann dies at ninety from a tragic fall his daughter, Marina his cello prodigy, his caretaker for the past several years and only heir expects, even though she’s stopped performing that his priceless Stradivarius Cello, The Silver Swan will be hers. Until at the reading of his will she discovers secrets from her father’s past that impact her future and will mar her memories of him.
A Swiss cello genius and former student of maestro Feldmann, Claude Roselle while in America to perform a solo concert has been summoned to the reading of his teacher’s will where to his and the maestro’s beautiful daughter’s shock learns he will inherit the prized Stradivarius Violoncello.
Delbanco’s debut is full of passion, secrets and revelations, a concert for all senses. With music as her polestar, beautiful backdrops and a vividly descriptive dialogue she creates a masterful symphony of words. Her star(s) including the Stradivarius are interesting, eccentric and engaging and her chorus of co-stars give the read complexity. But it's the turbulence of emotions she puts Mariana and Claude through that make this a keeper!
When cellist virtuoso Alexander Feldmann dies at ninety from a tragic fall his daughter, Marina his cello prodigy, his caretaker for the past several years and only heir expects, even though she’s stopped performing that his priceless Stradivarius Cello, The Silver Swan will be hers. Until at the reading of his will she discovers secrets from her father’s past that impact her future and will mar her memories of him.
A Swiss cello genius and former student of maestro Feldmann, Claude Roselle while in America to perform a solo concert has been summoned to the reading of his teacher’s will where to his and the maestro’s beautiful daughter’s shock learns he will inherit the prized Stradivarius Violoncello.
May 8, 2015
Want a little high-brow mixed with low-brow? Turn on your favorite symphony, grab this book, and head for your favorite reading spot. Alexander Feldmann is one of the world's best, if not the best, cellists (although as an individual he's a despicable excuse for a husband, father, or friend). His daughter, Mariana, is his protege. The most important "being" in his life, however, is The Silver Swan, his beloved Stradivarius cello.
Mariana puts her own career on hold to nurse her ailing and aging father through his death, only to learn of his secrets and betrayals.
The characters in "The Silver Swan" are a bit shallow, and it's hard for the reader to feel much engagement with them as they don't seem or behave like real people. This book would make a decent "beach read" for those interested in music and looking for something fairly light and predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Other Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Mariana puts her own career on hold to nurse her ailing and aging father through his death, only to learn of his secrets and betrayals.
The characters in "The Silver Swan" are a bit shallow, and it's hard for the reader to feel much engagement with them as they don't seem or behave like real people. This book would make a decent "beach read" for those interested in music and looking for something fairly light and predictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Other Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2015
This is a wonderful, literate soap opera. I guess it could be called How the Classical World Turns. The Silver Swan of the title is an exquisite cello made in the 18th century, a Stradivarius of the absolute highest quality. It is played by a world famous extremely handsome cellist, to be bequeathed to his ravishingly lovely daughter when he dies. There are affairs, emotionally neglected family members, and various secrets revealed along the way. I really liked this book, but I think by devotion to classical music helped a lot to achieve this effect. The writing isn't particularly sophisticated or poetic, but the plot moves along well and the characters are well-developed. The author is the daughter of Bernard Greenhouse, the cellist of the renowned Beaux Art Trio, and her appreciation of classical music and its performance is clearly on display here.
May 13, 2015
This was a beautifully written novel, but I confess that I found the cast of characters to be a little cold. I also predicted the book's twist extremely early, hoping all the while that I was wrong. Unfortunately, I wasn't. In truth, while the "twist" made sense (all things considered), I wanted more creativity from the big reveal. Overall, this is a book that will keep you reading, and while Mariana Feldmann is a well drawn protagonist, the Silver Swan itself does a pretty good job getting the reader's attention.
June 3, 2015
This was a goodreads giveaway I won. beautifully written. a predictable ending that was predicted from before the half way point which doesn't help. some good moments, but not enough to keep it interesting.the other moments of the book were boring.
March 12, 2023
Някак си набързо премина цялата история и в мен остана чувство за недоизказаност. Разбирам, че е един вид разказ от първо лице за концентриращите музиканти и техния живот около музиката, но останалите герои бяха толкова повърхностно споменати и неразкрити... Искаше ми се повече действие от Софи и Клод и тяхната линия, както и още от вътрешния свят на него и Мариана след като откриват истината.
August 14, 2018
3.5 Stars. Rounding up because it kept my interest despite oddly formal and detached writing style. I can’t fully justify 4 star rating but I guess I liked it more than a 3 star book. It was interesting to read about elite musicians and their valuable instruments.
August 21, 2018
3.75. Enjoyed this book. Enjoyed exposure to the passionate impact music had on two world class cellists, a father and a daughter, and the Stradivarius (the silver swan)the father plays and that the daughter expects to inherit. “Expects” yet upon her fathers death, her world is turned upside down.
June 14, 2015
The plot for The Silver Swan was a strange combination of the films Intermezzo and Serendipity. Being a staunch classic film admirer, I would never dream of pairing Kate Beckinsale and Leslie Howard together but in this case, with a crazed composer and the makings of a wrong place wrong time subplot I think it would work.
While the story may have started out predictable it soon took a different turn. Greed was a major theme in Delbanco's plot. Marianna, unable to cope with the loss of the priceless instrument devises a plan, turning what could have been the film Serendipity into a fast-paced heist story.
I found Francine and in turn her son Claude to be reminiscent of the Sackville-Baggins. In The Lord of the Rings, Lobelia awaits the day when she will inherit Bag End and bides her time counting the silver with her idiotic son Lotho following in her wake. While she loses out upon Bilbo's disappearance; the gloating she exhibits when acquiring it from Frodo before his perilous quest is enough to make one vomit. This is exactly how I felt whenever Francine and Claude entered the room.
Marianna did not fare much better in my book; I thought she was a spoiled brat and was also difficult to like. Truthfully, I don't have much to say about her and would liken her to the Hobbit Merry, while he is a smart Halfling will always play second fiddle to Pippen and his antics.
Alexander Feldman, of course, is the unseen Sauron. He is always present with continuous control over what is precious, only disappearing when wickedness is set ablaze.
Despite the numerous pop culture references, The Silver Swan was a novel all its own and was quickly enraptured by the music it produced.
While the story may have started out predictable it soon took a different turn. Greed was a major theme in Delbanco's plot. Marianna, unable to cope with the loss of the priceless instrument devises a plan, turning what could have been the film Serendipity into a fast-paced heist story.
I found Francine and in turn her son Claude to be reminiscent of the Sackville-Baggins. In The Lord of the Rings, Lobelia awaits the day when she will inherit Bag End and bides her time counting the silver with her idiotic son Lotho following in her wake. While she loses out upon Bilbo's disappearance; the gloating she exhibits when acquiring it from Frodo before his perilous quest is enough to make one vomit. This is exactly how I felt whenever Francine and Claude entered the room.
Marianna did not fare much better in my book; I thought she was a spoiled brat and was also difficult to like. Truthfully, I don't have much to say about her and would liken her to the Hobbit Merry, while he is a smart Halfling will always play second fiddle to Pippen and his antics.
Alexander Feldman, of course, is the unseen Sauron. He is always present with continuous control over what is precious, only disappearing when wickedness is set ablaze.
Despite the numerous pop culture references, The Silver Swan was a novel all its own and was quickly enraptured by the music it produced.
May 24, 2017
As a former musician, I loved this book about musicians, their precious instruments, their life style, performance and practice. Set in New York, Europe, and the Berkshires (Tanglewood) this is the story of a young woman, Mariana, whose father, Alexander, was a world famous solo cellist. He also owned a world famous Stradivarius mentioned in the books title. Ultimately an self-centered, egotistical and fillandering man, he puts so much pressure on Mariana's musical career to follow in his footsteps that she has a nervous breakdown. She ends up nursing Alexander until his death when she discovers to her shock that he did not leave her the Silver Swan. Instead, another student, Claude, from Switzerland get the prize. Mariana meets Claude and eventually discovers that her father was having an affair with Claude's mother. Eventually they also have an affair when Mariana travels to Europe. There she discovers that they are related. Sadly Claude is as self-centered as her father was so the romance fails but Mariana does succeed eventually in giving the Silver Swan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Heart felt and at times a real page turner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2015
NOTE: To read the full review, visit my post.
*Disclaimer: I received this e-galley from Netgalley and Other Press in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing that appealed to me about the book was that it had nothing to do with what I normally read. I haven't read many books about musicians so far. And when I read an excerpt of this book something about the tone of the story and the narrative appealed to me.
There's a cinematic feel to this book. The way the scenes are put together, with the past and present mingling gave me the feeling of not only reading, but also watching a movie. I thought the way the author wrote the flashback scenes was very well done. I did, however, get confused at some point. This was because, although I felt that they explained a lot about Mariana and Claude's personalities, some of the flashbacks were introduced with no warning whatsoever. So it took a while to realize I was reading a memory.
*Disclaimer: I received this e-galley from Netgalley and Other Press in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing that appealed to me about the book was that it had nothing to do with what I normally read. I haven't read many books about musicians so far. And when I read an excerpt of this book something about the tone of the story and the narrative appealed to me.
There's a cinematic feel to this book. The way the scenes are put together, with the past and present mingling gave me the feeling of not only reading, but also watching a movie. I thought the way the author wrote the flashback scenes was very well done. I did, however, get confused at some point. This was because, although I felt that they explained a lot about Mariana and Claude's personalities, some of the flashbacks were introduced with no warning whatsoever. So it took a while to realize I was reading a memory.
June 10, 2015
This was an enjoyable book simply because the subject matter, an invaluable Stradivarius violincello, is new and different.
Alexander Feldman is an international performer. Very handsome and charming, Alexander spends years searching for the Silver Swan, a rare Stradivarius masterpiece. His only child, Mariana, is a star cellist in her own right. Mariana tends to Alexander in his waning days. When she arrives for the reading of his will, more secrets than she could ever have imagined are revealed to Mariana.
The story was fast paced and nicely structured. Here is a nice blend of music and love and family. The writing is so engaging that I finished this book in one sitting. The only reason I gave it four stars is because beyond the use of a cello as one of the main "characters", it is still a story of love and betrayal at its many layers. It was easy to determine ahead of time how it would all play out, however, it was still a very enjoyable read.
Be forewarned...for those put off by sexual encounters know that you will run across some of this in The Silver Swan.
Alexander Feldman is an international performer. Very handsome and charming, Alexander spends years searching for the Silver Swan, a rare Stradivarius masterpiece. His only child, Mariana, is a star cellist in her own right. Mariana tends to Alexander in his waning days. When she arrives for the reading of his will, more secrets than she could ever have imagined are revealed to Mariana.
The story was fast paced and nicely structured. Here is a nice blend of music and love and family. The writing is so engaging that I finished this book in one sitting. The only reason I gave it four stars is because beyond the use of a cello as one of the main "characters", it is still a story of love and betrayal at its many layers. It was easy to determine ahead of time how it would all play out, however, it was still a very enjoyable read.
Be forewarned...for those put off by sexual encounters know that you will run across some of this in The Silver Swan.
February 17, 2018
An interesting book where the cello is the main character. Said cello is a Stradivarius named Silver Swan, owned by Alexander Feldman, a famous cellist. His only daughter Mariana has given up her star cello career to take care of him in their Berkshires house. Mariana believes she will inherit the Swan, but a former pupil does. After several European trips, a secret is revealed, which surprises everyone. An enjoyable and somewhat suspenseful read.
July 15, 2016
This book disappointed me on several levels. But first I'll preface this review by saying I love classical music. I go to the symphony often and have my girls involved heavily in music lessons and orchestra. With that being said, I was really excited to read this book about a famous cellist, his cellist daughter and a rare & valuable cello.
But what was set up perfectly to be such an interesting story (the original silver swan cello and it's 9 replicas) could have made for an interesting mind-blowing story in which we don't know who has the real silver swan. Instead, all of that setup was dropped and we had a flimsy story about the girl falling in love with her father's prize student (spoiler:icky stuff) and a jealous one-dimensional mistress.
Honestly, the only redeeming qualities was reading about the cello repertoire they were playing and it was a fast read (thank goodness). Sadly, while it was a great concept for a story, it fell very flat (no music pun intended).
But what was set up perfectly to be such an interesting story (the original silver swan cello and it's 9 replicas) could have made for an interesting mind-blowing story in which we don't know who has the real silver swan. Instead, all of that setup was dropped and we had a flimsy story about the girl falling in love with her father's prize student (spoiler:icky stuff) and a jealous one-dimensional mistress.
Honestly, the only redeeming qualities was reading about the cello repertoire they were playing and it was a fast read (thank goodness). Sadly, while it was a great concept for a story, it fell very flat (no music pun intended).
October 4, 2015
If you are a cello enthusiast, this is the book for you! I know I would have enjoyed this book more if I had more knowledge of the stringed instruments in general, but enjoying string quartet music, at least gave me the impetus to finish this story. The Silver Swan of the title is actually the name of a fictional, rare Stradavarius, it's history, it's owner, and it's "would be" heirs. When the famous cellist/owner passes away, it is assumed the instrument is willed to his only daughter. That does NOT happen.....and what happens then is the real plot of the book. There are a couple twists, but they were easy to predict. I would recommend this book to string music lovers or anyone looking for a "different" spin on what inheritance means to individuals.
February 9, 2015
I have very mixed feelings about this book. The writing is beautiful and very musical, befitting of the subject matter. It's a very quick read as I finished it in one sitting. However, I found the characters to be lacking and I didn't really feel sympathy for any of them. The few whom I did like didn't seem fully fleshed out. My biggest complaint would be the predictability of the final "shock" in this novel. I saw it coming a mile away and, while still disturbing, missed the mark. I was left hoping for more of a character study.
Delbanco is obviously a tremendous writer and I do look forward to her next offering.
Delbanco is obviously a tremendous writer and I do look forward to her next offering.
June 3, 2015
I liked it right up until the true relationship of the characters was revealed . . . I'd half guessed that was the case, but then discarded it based on the way the two were interacting with each other. When it turned out I was right . . . . it just felt wrong. So maybe that means it was really well done, but mostly I just found it ooky.
Plus, the write ups implied there'd be lots of cool stuff about symphonies and stringed instruments and, except for the cello which was the catalyst of much of the action, there really wasn't that much.
And, finally, the girl did a stupid thing that didn't make sense to me. And seemed out of character.
Plus, the write ups implied there'd be lots of cool stuff about symphonies and stringed instruments and, except for the cello which was the catalyst of much of the action, there really wasn't that much.
And, finally, the girl did a stupid thing that didn't make sense to me. And seemed out of character.
May 25, 2015
This was a tale of many relationships all started with Alexander Feldmann and his relationships with others.Some of them are legit and others are questionable.He is a very talented cello player and teacher of it also.The book centers around him and how he relates to others and ultimately how those relationships spread and connect to people he doesn't even consider most of the time-he is soo focused into music.Even when he dies,he has long term effects that are far reaching.It goes to show we don't know how much we mean to others and how we truly effect others lives.
November 30, 2015
Dear Book,
I had high hopes. Very high hopes. As a musician myself, I was ready to embrace whatever adventures you would throw at me. Instead, I found myself halfheartedly wading through the first 50 pages. And then.... Did I mention that there was no character development? I could have cared less about any of them. There was nothing endearing or even slightly memorable about the story as a whole.
Please spare yourself...
I had high hopes. Very high hopes. As a musician myself, I was ready to embrace whatever adventures you would throw at me. Instead, I found myself halfheartedly wading through the first 50 pages. And then.... Did I mention that there was no character development? I could have cared less about any of them. There was nothing endearing or even slightly memorable about the story as a whole.
Please spare yourself...
April 8, 2015
I always enjoy reading about music and the arts, and the writing was very good. The characters were shallow, though--they seemed to need more development. I found myself feeling so angry in the first couple chapters over Feldman's will--I almost stopped reading. I did not want to read about Claude and the Silver Swan right after the will was read, but it did get better.
Advanced eBook copy provided by the publishers at NetGalley for review.
Advanced eBook copy provided by the publishers at NetGalley for review.
August 14, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. I liked Marianna and Claude. I liked the musician aspect (I even listened to cello music while I read it), I liked the twisted daddy issues and her grappling with her father's larger-than-life legacy and her own past demons. But honestly? It got stale. Nothing was being said throughout the middle of the book, it was just filler. I think this would have been a much superior story had it been a novella instead.
May 14, 2015
This is a wonderful story about a woman who gives up her life and career to take care of her parents. A gifted cellist, daughter of the most famous cellist in the world, Alexandra thinks she can resume her life with the famous Silver Swan (her father's cello), when he dies. This is a lesson in family dynamics and a lesson is classical music. Well written, easy to read and intriguing. Enjoy this one.
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