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Hilary and Jackie: The True Story of Two Sisters Who Shared a Passion, a Madness and a Man
From the moment Jacqueline du Pré first held a cello at the age of five, it was clear she had an extraordinary gift. At sixteen, when she made her professional debut, she was hailed as one of the world's most talented and exciting musicians. But ten years later, she stopped playing virtually overnight, when multiple sclerosis removed the feeling in her hands just before a concert. It took fourteen more years for the crippling disease to take its final toll.
In this uniquely revealing biography, Hilary and Piers du Pré have re-created the life they shared with their sister in astonishing personal detail, unveiling the private world behind the public face. With warmth and candor they recount Jackie's blissful love of the cello, her marriage to the conductor Daniel Barenboim, her compulsions, her suffering, and, above all, the price exacted by her talent on the whole family. For proud as they were of Jackie's enormous success, none of them was prepared for the profound impact her genius would have on each of their lives. . . .
In this uniquely revealing biography, Hilary and Piers du Pré have re-created the life they shared with their sister in astonishing personal detail, unveiling the private world behind the public face. With warmth and candor they recount Jackie's blissful love of the cello, her marriage to the conductor Daniel Barenboim, her compulsions, her suffering, and, above all, the price exacted by her talent on the whole family. For proud as they were of Jackie's enormous success, none of them was prepared for the profound impact her genius would have on each of their lives. . . .
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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September 24, 2015
I picked this book up in a charity shop as a casual read, and by pure luck found it was well worth the pennies I paid for it.
It's a book about Jacqueline de Pré, the famous cellist, and it is written by her brother and sister. Each of them writes a chapter or a few pages, and then the book switches over to the other one, ie brother/sister/brother/sister and so on. I found the changeover virtually seamless, and it worked surprisingly well.
I liked it on three counts - firstly the way it describes what it is like to be a sibling in a family where one of the children is a genius, secondly the way it describes the dynamics of the du Pré family generally, and thirdly the way it describes very honestly the tragedy of the disease Jacqueline suffered from - multiple sclerosis.
In my family, my brother and sister and I are pretty equal in our achievements, and always have been. Not so the du Prés. Jacqueline soared above her brother and sister in talent and popularity, and her sister Hilary, also a musician, describes poignantly the distress of realising that her sister was hugely more successful and adored by their audiences than she was. It was not an easy thing for a young child to take on board. Also Jacqueline had an especially close relationship with her mother, and much of her mother's time was spent furthering Jacqueline's talents, and meeting the demands of her career. I thought in view of Hilary's position in the family, her love for her golden sister Jacqueline, and her attitude towards her, were in fact very generous. It was less of an issue for her brother Piers - probably because he was not a musician (and was determined to steer well clear of being one.) In spite of their differences, they were a close and supportive family, and this was a powerful and endearing thread throughout the book.
The description of Jacqueline's illness touched me on a personal level. I am involved with caring for a family member with Alzheimer's. I have read a couple of books about this, but I identified more with the ravages of a destructive illness described in this book than I have with readings elsewhere. As a carer I find myself having weird experiences, and sometimes feeling frustrated and angry. I related to a lot to the enormous frustrations experienced by Jacqueline because of her illness, and also to what the du Pré family went through, trying to be supportive but sometimes finding themselves the focus for Jacqueline's rage. I found all of this reassuring.
There is however one gaping hole in my reading of this book. I am not a cello fan, and I am not familiar with Jacqueline's work, plus few of the composers mentioned in the book are ones that I particularly enjoy. I somehow feel I gave the book a subversive reading! I was reading it for all the *wrong* reasons. No matter. I'm glad I read it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Since reading the book & writing this review I have heard so many negative comments about the authors, and their relationship with Jacqueline - comments particularly about Jacqueline's sister Hilary. Herewith an example of the sort of objections that can be found...
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/ja...
It's a book about Jacqueline de Pré, the famous cellist, and it is written by her brother and sister. Each of them writes a chapter or a few pages, and then the book switches over to the other one, ie brother/sister/brother/sister and so on. I found the changeover virtually seamless, and it worked surprisingly well.
I liked it on three counts - firstly the way it describes what it is like to be a sibling in a family where one of the children is a genius, secondly the way it describes the dynamics of the du Pré family generally, and thirdly the way it describes very honestly the tragedy of the disease Jacqueline suffered from - multiple sclerosis.
In my family, my brother and sister and I are pretty equal in our achievements, and always have been. Not so the du Prés. Jacqueline soared above her brother and sister in talent and popularity, and her sister Hilary, also a musician, describes poignantly the distress of realising that her sister was hugely more successful and adored by their audiences than she was. It was not an easy thing for a young child to take on board. Also Jacqueline had an especially close relationship with her mother, and much of her mother's time was spent furthering Jacqueline's talents, and meeting the demands of her career. I thought in view of Hilary's position in the family, her love for her golden sister Jacqueline, and her attitude towards her, were in fact very generous. It was less of an issue for her brother Piers - probably because he was not a musician (and was determined to steer well clear of being one.) In spite of their differences, they were a close and supportive family, and this was a powerful and endearing thread throughout the book.
The description of Jacqueline's illness touched me on a personal level. I am involved with caring for a family member with Alzheimer's. I have read a couple of books about this, but I identified more with the ravages of a destructive illness described in this book than I have with readings elsewhere. As a carer I find myself having weird experiences, and sometimes feeling frustrated and angry. I related to a lot to the enormous frustrations experienced by Jacqueline because of her illness, and also to what the du Pré family went through, trying to be supportive but sometimes finding themselves the focus for Jacqueline's rage. I found all of this reassuring.
There is however one gaping hole in my reading of this book. I am not a cello fan, and I am not familiar with Jacqueline's work, plus few of the composers mentioned in the book are ones that I particularly enjoy. I somehow feel I gave the book a subversive reading! I was reading it for all the *wrong* reasons. No matter. I'm glad I read it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Since reading the book & writing this review I have heard so many negative comments about the authors, and their relationship with Jacqueline - comments particularly about Jacqueline's sister Hilary. Herewith an example of the sort of objections that can be found...
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/ja...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2011
i borrowed this book from my dad for my flight home. i grew up with jacqueline du pre playing the elgar cello concerto on our stereo but didn't know anything about her rather tragic life. i was also intrigued that my father, who normally reads extremely dry nonfiction about mozart, rare birds, or sailing vessels would pick up something that looked so steamy.
the best word i can come up with to summarize "hilary and jackie" is bizarre. originally titled "a genius in the family," it documents the life of du pre according to her older sister, hilary and younger brother, piers. it was repackaged for the film adaptation to include the tagline: "The True Story of Two Sisters Who Shared a Passion, a Madness and a Man" which isn't QUITE accurate. while they were certainly both nutty, it's not the same kind of nutty.
the two juiciest things about the story are 1) the tragic early end of jackie's career due to multiple sclerosis and 2) the fact that she slept with hilary's husband and hilary claims to be ok with that.
item number 2 was the part that made me do a double take. hilary wakes up in the middle of the night to find that jackie has crawled in bed with her and her husband, christopher "kiffer" finzi, and is groping him under the covers. later jackie & kiffer start making sexy times together. at this point jackie is an emotional mess, having problems with her own husband (daniel barenboim) so hilary...decides to just not do anything?! and kiffer is like "i'm doing this to help your sister, hil. i have to do this to help her." so hilary doesn't say anything to jackie and doesn't object to kif hopping in bed with jackie on a regular basis. jackie continues to live in their home and be BFFs with hilary.
wait, what?
according to hilary & kiffer's daughter, clare, hilary is totally delusional. clare claims that her dad was a serial adulterer who later had two kids with some other lady and hilary chose to believe that kif slept with jackie to be noble because she couldn't face the truth. this is the story i am more inclined to believe.
another option is that hilary is INSANELY jealous of jackie but doesn't want to own up to it. she does admit to being jealous of jackie's musical talent when they were younger- hilary didn't get as far with her flute. and i noticed that almost all of the photos selected for the insert in the book are extremely unflattering to jackie. so that's a telling detail.
toward the end of the memoir, piers finds jesus, which is kind of a hilarious little side note. it leads to an extremely ill jackie receiving an anonymous bible in the mail and becoming infuriated with piers.
one thing to note is that reading this was a lot more interesting than some biographies which are over-the-top worshipful. it was sort of refreshing to see the darkness and problems in the life of such a celebrated musician.
the best word i can come up with to summarize "hilary and jackie" is bizarre. originally titled "a genius in the family," it documents the life of du pre according to her older sister, hilary and younger brother, piers. it was repackaged for the film adaptation to include the tagline: "The True Story of Two Sisters Who Shared a Passion, a Madness and a Man" which isn't QUITE accurate. while they were certainly both nutty, it's not the same kind of nutty.
the two juiciest things about the story are 1) the tragic early end of jackie's career due to multiple sclerosis and 2) the fact that she slept with hilary's husband and hilary claims to be ok with that.
item number 2 was the part that made me do a double take. hilary wakes up in the middle of the night to find that jackie has crawled in bed with her and her husband, christopher "kiffer" finzi, and is groping him under the covers. later jackie & kiffer start making sexy times together. at this point jackie is an emotional mess, having problems with her own husband (daniel barenboim) so hilary...decides to just not do anything?! and kiffer is like "i'm doing this to help your sister, hil. i have to do this to help her." so hilary doesn't say anything to jackie and doesn't object to kif hopping in bed with jackie on a regular basis. jackie continues to live in their home and be BFFs with hilary.
wait, what?
according to hilary & kiffer's daughter, clare, hilary is totally delusional. clare claims that her dad was a serial adulterer who later had two kids with some other lady and hilary chose to believe that kif slept with jackie to be noble because she couldn't face the truth. this is the story i am more inclined to believe.
another option is that hilary is INSANELY jealous of jackie but doesn't want to own up to it. she does admit to being jealous of jackie's musical talent when they were younger- hilary didn't get as far with her flute. and i noticed that almost all of the photos selected for the insert in the book are extremely unflattering to jackie. so that's a telling detail.
toward the end of the memoir, piers finds jesus, which is kind of a hilarious little side note. it leads to an extremely ill jackie receiving an anonymous bible in the mail and becoming infuriated with piers.
one thing to note is that reading this was a lot more interesting than some biographies which are over-the-top worshipful. it was sort of refreshing to see the darkness and problems in the life of such a celebrated musician.
November 22, 2008
I found this book truly fascinating. I was a huge fan of the film Hilary and Jackie and I shared it with both my mom and my eldest sister (both musicians) and they both loved it (my sister usually doesn't like films I recommend to her). I tried to find the book that inspired it at the local library and was VERY disappointed to find that the city of Salt Lake does not consider it a worthy member of their collection. My sister ended up buying the paperback edition off of Alibris and we all ended up reading it.
Artistically, it is NOT a 5 star book. It is writen in with two personal points of view; that of Hilary, Jackie's older sister and her younger brother, Piers. Hilary, also a gifted musician, details the highly intuitive musical training that the two girls received from their mother, also a very gifted musician, and each of the sister's subsequent battles with their music; Hilary's feelings of inadequacy that dogged her through her performance career and Jacqueline's love/hate relationship with her instrument and jealousy of her older sister's "normal" life as a wife and mother. This book is FILLED with drama. The brother's recollections were more round-about during his childhood years and really did not contribute much to the story. As he matured and married and Jacqueline's mental and physical health declined, his observations become much more pertinant.
As a film theorist, I was amazed while reading the book to see how the film makers translated some very "interior" action into a visual language that is told onscreen without words. They kept the 2 storyteller format of the book but remarkably changed it to the two different viewpoints and experiences of the sisters instead. Hilary's story is told first and we make many judgments of Jackie based on Hilary's interpretation of her actions. Later, when the story shifts to Jackie's experience, we see a very differnt picture of what it is to be a musical prodigy and be thrust into fame in the adult world while still really only a child. There is even one scene that is reapeated almost word for word except for a couple of key words wihich completely alter the meaning from the first time we saw it. They did not make anything up, It all came from the book and that is amazing to me.
Bottom line; this is a fascinating book that was later adapted into one of those rare films that is BETTER than the book. See the film and read the book and see if you agree with me! The book is 'A Genius in the Family' and the film is 'Hilary and Jackie'.
PS- when neither actress won the academy awards they were nominated for, I gave up on watching or caring about the Oscars- it became so painfully obvious that the judges are not artists.
Artistically, it is NOT a 5 star book. It is writen in with two personal points of view; that of Hilary, Jackie's older sister and her younger brother, Piers. Hilary, also a gifted musician, details the highly intuitive musical training that the two girls received from their mother, also a very gifted musician, and each of the sister's subsequent battles with their music; Hilary's feelings of inadequacy that dogged her through her performance career and Jacqueline's love/hate relationship with her instrument and jealousy of her older sister's "normal" life as a wife and mother. This book is FILLED with drama. The brother's recollections were more round-about during his childhood years and really did not contribute much to the story. As he matured and married and Jacqueline's mental and physical health declined, his observations become much more pertinant.
As a film theorist, I was amazed while reading the book to see how the film makers translated some very "interior" action into a visual language that is told onscreen without words. They kept the 2 storyteller format of the book but remarkably changed it to the two different viewpoints and experiences of the sisters instead. Hilary's story is told first and we make many judgments of Jackie based on Hilary's interpretation of her actions. Later, when the story shifts to Jackie's experience, we see a very differnt picture of what it is to be a musical prodigy and be thrust into fame in the adult world while still really only a child. There is even one scene that is reapeated almost word for word except for a couple of key words wihich completely alter the meaning from the first time we saw it. They did not make anything up, It all came from the book and that is amazing to me.
Bottom line; this is a fascinating book that was later adapted into one of those rare films that is BETTER than the book. See the film and read the book and see if you agree with me! The book is 'A Genius in the Family' and the film is 'Hilary and Jackie'.
PS- when neither actress won the academy awards they were nominated for, I gave up on watching or caring about the Oscars- it became so painfully obvious that the judges are not artists.
July 7, 2012
I have given three stars because I love Jackie and couldn't put the book down, but so much of this seems odd to me. I hear a venom in her sister's writing that makes me think of trouble I had with my own sister. I wonder what Jackie would have to say? I have doubts about the validity of the story and the spirit in which it was written.
July 15, 2009
A wonderful biography of the greatest cellist that lived as told by her brother and sister. Written in a conversational narrative style. Does require some background in the music world, and you will soon be searching for the CDs of the music mentioned, particularly the Elgar Cello Sonatas.
February 28, 2013
A couple years ago, I stumbled upon a black-and-white video of Jacqueline du Pre playing Elgar's Cello Concerto and I couldn't get enough. It brought tears to my eyes, the emotion in the music was so real. This is the story of Jacqueline du Pre told by her older sister Hilary (a piano and flute player) and little brother Piers (a pilot).
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the childhood and how Jacqueline got her first cello and what she played and how she played. I was interested in how her sister Hilary dealt with her sister's gift, even though she herself had a gift. Even from the time she was a little girl, though, Jackie always got her way. Because she was special, her mother gave her everything. She lived her whole life not having to hear no from anyone, especially her family. She was selfish and spoiled and I swear I just wanted one of them to stand up to her, despite her gift.
The most horrifying part of her life, though, is after she gets depressed and goes to live with Hilary and Kiffer and somehow ends up taking Hilary's husband. It was all so odd and just not okay. I don't care if they blame the MS for her irrational behavior; that was just too much. I had a hard time feeling bad for Jacqueline as she grew increasingly ill. I couldn't get over how selfish she was and how everyone tried to make her happy but she did so little to return the love. One of the most heartbreaking for me to read about was the way she treated her mother--for months and months, she wouldn't even talk to her. And there never was a reason why. And after all that her mother had done for her as a child and as an adult (don't get me started on laundering her clothes into her thirties and across continents!).
Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'll be able to appreciate du Pre's Elgar like I used to. I guess sometimes it's better not to know.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the childhood and how Jacqueline got her first cello and what she played and how she played. I was interested in how her sister Hilary dealt with her sister's gift, even though she herself had a gift. Even from the time she was a little girl, though, Jackie always got her way. Because she was special, her mother gave her everything. She lived her whole life not having to hear no from anyone, especially her family. She was selfish and spoiled and I swear I just wanted one of them to stand up to her, despite her gift.
The most horrifying part of her life, though, is after she gets depressed and goes to live with Hilary and Kiffer and somehow ends up taking Hilary's husband. It was all so odd and just not okay. I don't care if they blame the MS for her irrational behavior; that was just too much. I had a hard time feeling bad for Jacqueline as she grew increasingly ill. I couldn't get over how selfish she was and how everyone tried to make her happy but she did so little to return the love. One of the most heartbreaking for me to read about was the way she treated her mother--for months and months, she wouldn't even talk to her. And there never was a reason why. And after all that her mother had done for her as a child and as an adult (don't get me started on laundering her clothes into her thirties and across continents!).
Unfortunately, I'm not sure I'll be able to appreciate du Pre's Elgar like I used to. I guess sometimes it's better not to know.
March 30, 2010
Even though I think that everybody can enjoy this book, I especially recommend it to musicians, such as myself. This is mostly because you will understand the music passages, and because you will find a special delight and understanding in the love that the protagonist had for her instrument that not even music-lovers would understand. Even though I play the trumpet and the guitar, it still is a little hard to understand.
That is probably what I enjoyed the most about Hilary and Jackie. The music. I don't know how to describe it: the relationship that the characters in this story had with their music and their instruments was remarkable. I really don't know how to describe it.
I will admit that I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as I did for the first: Not because it wasn't good, but because it was too much drama and too little music. I relly do think that the magic of this book is in the music.
One of the things that really is shoking about this testimony is the amount of honesty poured into its pages; How Hilary and Piers du Pré managed to confess all of the scandals that are portrayed here is unbelievable. I wonder if they didn't care about their sister's image: They do blame it all on her illness but I still think its amazing. I would never have expected them to be that honest! It makes for an entertaining book, though.
However, this was a terrible story, yet it didn't transmit much emotion. I don't know why. Maybe I should re-read it? I think that at the end I wasn't really concentrated so I didn't enjoy it or feel as much as I believe I should have: but this book is certainly of the kind that is worth the read.
And I've been told that the movie is better!
(Another thing about this is that I hated the title. Why on Earth did they change it? "A Genius in the Family" is a pretty good title but "Hilary and Jackie" couldn't be worse; mostly because this book was a joint collaboration between Piers and Hilary! This is the biggest reason I didn't give it five stars.)
Oh, by the way: I'm not the kind that subtracts points from a book because of its content. I realize that some of the things about it were rather, umm, unusual.
That is probably what I enjoyed the most about Hilary and Jackie. The music. I don't know how to describe it: the relationship that the characters in this story had with their music and their instruments was remarkable. I really don't know how to describe it.
I will admit that I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as I did for the first: Not because it wasn't good, but because it was too much drama and too little music. I relly do think that the magic of this book is in the music.
One of the things that really is shoking about this testimony is the amount of honesty poured into its pages; How Hilary and Piers du Pré managed to confess all of the scandals that are portrayed here is unbelievable. I wonder if they didn't care about their sister's image: They do blame it all on her illness but I still think its amazing. I would never have expected them to be that honest! It makes for an entertaining book, though.
However, this was a terrible story, yet it didn't transmit much emotion. I don't know why. Maybe I should re-read it? I think that at the end I wasn't really concentrated so I didn't enjoy it or feel as much as I believe I should have: but this book is certainly of the kind that is worth the read.
And I've been told that the movie is better!
(Another thing about this is that I hated the title. Why on Earth did they change it? "A Genius in the Family" is a pretty good title but "Hilary and Jackie" couldn't be worse; mostly because this book was a joint collaboration between Piers and Hilary! This is the biggest reason I didn't give it five stars.)
Oh, by the way: I'm not the kind that subtracts points from a book because of its content. I realize that some of the things about it were rather, umm, unusual.
August 19, 2017
“As Jackie’s talent became more evident, the balance of our family life altered and we felt compelled to nurture both her and her colossal gift. Following Mum’s lead, we all supported Jackie and watched as she shone in the spotlight. She became the centre of our attention and was automatically and without question put first.” (p.400)
This paragraph is a great summary of this book. Was it healthy? Did the other children and husband suffer from being ignored? Hilary and Piers du Pre offer a frank, heartfelt description of a loving family life, and offer a glimpse of the enigmatic, awkward, engaging brilliance that was Jacqueline du Pre. Yes, Jackie’s mother’s obsession with her daughter hurt her husband and other two children. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPza... to understand why.
MS diagnosed in young people carry a 40-50% chance of accompanying dementia, often characterized by an inability to control emotions. It is likely that Jackie suffered from this, and her kind-hearted sister and her husband tried to “help” her---which ultimately failed to do any good at all. Loved ones want to help so badly, to the point of sacrificing family relationships and even one’s own safety. I get it. For those who don’t, I hope you’ll never have to undergo the hell of watching a loved one suffer like this.
I loved the first half of this book. The descriptions of family life, music, and this brilliant artist were engaging and eloquent. I cried throughout the last half. While “Jackie and Hilary” the movie vilified Mr. Barenboim, Hilary Finzi (nee Du Pre) was brilliant in expressing her understanding of what he had to endure, and how he was an unfailing support during Jackie’s horrific last years.
This book is a loving tribute to an amazing artist and a beloved family member, whose life was cut short by a devastating disease. I loved it.
This paragraph is a great summary of this book. Was it healthy? Did the other children and husband suffer from being ignored? Hilary and Piers du Pre offer a frank, heartfelt description of a loving family life, and offer a glimpse of the enigmatic, awkward, engaging brilliance that was Jacqueline du Pre. Yes, Jackie’s mother’s obsession with her daughter hurt her husband and other two children. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPza... to understand why.
MS diagnosed in young people carry a 40-50% chance of accompanying dementia, often characterized by an inability to control emotions. It is likely that Jackie suffered from this, and her kind-hearted sister and her husband tried to “help” her---which ultimately failed to do any good at all. Loved ones want to help so badly, to the point of sacrificing family relationships and even one’s own safety. I get it. For those who don’t, I hope you’ll never have to undergo the hell of watching a loved one suffer like this.
I loved the first half of this book. The descriptions of family life, music, and this brilliant artist were engaging and eloquent. I cried throughout the last half. While “Jackie and Hilary” the movie vilified Mr. Barenboim, Hilary Finzi (nee Du Pre) was brilliant in expressing her understanding of what he had to endure, and how he was an unfailing support during Jackie’s horrific last years.
This book is a loving tribute to an amazing artist and a beloved family member, whose life was cut short by a devastating disease. I loved it.
February 21, 2012
I have to say, as much as I enjoyed the movie, Hilary and Jackie, and wanted to enjoy their life story, I just can't get past this "sleeping with her sister's husband". Everyone walked eggshells around "the genius". She was an artist, a talent, maybe even a genius, but did her happiness trump everyone else's simply because she was a gifted cellist? It led to a sense of entitlement that made me dislike Jackie immensely, and look poorly on Hilary for pandering to her tantrums. These are/were real people who maybe didn't know how to handle mental illness....but common sense should draw the line at letting your husband and sister have an affair. The rest of the book was interesting enough, but overall i really couldn't get past their odd behavior.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
Overall, it was an entertaining read which gave me a detailed account of Jacqueline du Pre’s life. I came into the book with little expectation but was mainly interested in Jacqueline’s life, less so on the whole family dynamic and specifically Piers’ contributions to the book bored me quite a bit and I found myself skimming through some of his sections, which is my only criticism of the writing. (Sorry Piers!)
It is not a book that is concerned with a wholly factual record of everything that happened and events seemed often to be dramatized or exaggerated in some way, though these events almost certainly happened. Besides the whole Kiffer and Jackie situation, which was very… interesting? I guess? I had already known about the controversy before reading the book so the whole surprise factor wasn’t there for me, and so it just seemed sort of odd that any sort of thing like that would actually happen, especially in the way that Hilary describes it. Especially her just accepting it as part of Jackie’s rehabilitation, when her husband is just essentially cheating on her with her own sister (other reviewers go over this better)— it’s all a bit sour and was maybe better left out of the book at all.
By the end of the book I was deeply saddened by the tragedy of Jackie’s death and how far she had declined from her once grand personality and ability. How MS can rob you of everything you have, plus the deaths in the family all happening in pretty close succession to each other, I couldn’t help but be very sad just reading the things that the du Pre family went through. Nevertheless, it is all the more evident that Jacqueline was a genius, in fact, and without a doubt one of the greatest artists to ever grace the planet. And having now the intimate knowledge of her and her family’s life re contextualizes her playing and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of one such genius.
It is not a book that is concerned with a wholly factual record of everything that happened and events seemed often to be dramatized or exaggerated in some way, though these events almost certainly happened. Besides the whole Kiffer and Jackie situation, which was very… interesting? I guess? I had already known about the controversy before reading the book so the whole surprise factor wasn’t there for me, and so it just seemed sort of odd that any sort of thing like that would actually happen, especially in the way that Hilary describes it. Especially her just accepting it as part of Jackie’s rehabilitation, when her husband is just essentially cheating on her with her own sister (other reviewers go over this better)— it’s all a bit sour and was maybe better left out of the book at all.
By the end of the book I was deeply saddened by the tragedy of Jackie’s death and how far she had declined from her once grand personality and ability. How MS can rob you of everything you have, plus the deaths in the family all happening in pretty close succession to each other, I couldn’t help but be very sad just reading the things that the du Pre family went through. Nevertheless, it is all the more evident that Jacqueline was a genius, in fact, and without a doubt one of the greatest artists to ever grace the planet. And having now the intimate knowledge of her and her family’s life re contextualizes her playing and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of one such genius.
December 17, 2023
ფილმის გამო წავიკითხე ეს წიგნი. მართალი რომ ვთქვა, ფილმმაც შემზარა და წიგნმა - კიდევ უფრო მეტად, რადგან მასში კიდევ ისეთი დეტალებია გახსნილი, რაც ფილმში არაა. დიდი მუსიკოსის ცხოვრებაზე როცა იწერება რაიმე, მკითხველს პირველ რიგში მისი შემოქმედებითი ცხოვრება და სხვა მუსიკოსებთან ურთიერთობა აინტერესებს. ამ შემთხვევაში ეს უკანასკნელი იმ მხრივაც იყო გამორჩეული, რომ ჯეკლინ დიუ პრეს მეუღლეც დიდი მუსიკოსი იყო (დანიელ ბარენბოიმი). იოლი არ არის, როცა ერთ ჭერქვეშ ცხოვრობს ორი ასეთი ადამიანი. კი, მკითხველისათვის შეიძლება საინტერესო იყოს იმის ცოდნა, თუ რა არის მათი ბრწყინვალე სცენური დუეტის მიღმა - ურთიერთგაგება იქნება ეს, თუ ინდივიდუალიზმი და ამის საფუძველზე წარმოშობილი პირადი თუ შემოქმედებითი კონფლიქტი. არადა, წიგნში ასეთი არაფერი არაა. სამაგიეროდ, დიდი ყურადღება ეთმობა ჯეკლინის სექსუალურ ცხოვრებას, შემდეგ-ავადმყოფობას და ისევ ამ ავადმყოფობის ნიადაგზე შექმნილ სექსუალურ პრობლემებს. ზოგი ეპიზოდი კი საერთოდ ზედმეტია - მაგალითად, პირსის და მისი დის რელიგიური ძიებანი, როგორ დაუახლოვდნენ ეკლესიას და სხვ. ვის რაში აინტერესებდა ამის ცოდნა?
საბოლოო ჯამში, ისე გამოვიდა, რომ ძმამ და დამ ფული იშოვეს თავიანთი გარდაცვლილი დის ინტიმური ცხოვრების აღწერით. სხვისი არ ვიცი და ჩემთვის გულისამრევია ეს. ჯეკლინ დიუ პრეს ცხოვრება ძალიან ხანმოკლე იყო, ტრაგიკულად დასრულდა და, ამიტომაც, იგი არ იმსახურებს, რომ იმ ყველაფრით დავიმახსოვროთ, რაც წიგნში წერია და ღმერთმა უწყის, მართალია, თუ არა. მართლა ჯობს, თუ ამ წიგნს ნაგავში მოისვრის ადამიანი და უბრალოდ, youtube-ზე მოძებნის ელგარის კონცერტს ჩელოსა და ორკესტრისათვის, სადაც ჯეკლინი ჩელოზე ასრულებს სოლოს, ბარენბოიმი-დირიჟორია. სადაც ორივენი ახალგაზრდები, ლამაზები, შეყვარებულები არიან და ეს ყველაფერი საოცრად აისახება მუსიკაშიც.
საბოლოო ჯამში, ისე გამოვიდა, რომ ძმამ და დამ ფული იშოვეს თავიანთი გარდაცვლილი დის ინტიმური ცხოვრების აღწერით. სხვისი არ ვიცი და ჩემთვის გულისამრევია ეს. ჯეკლინ დიუ პრეს ცხოვრება ძალიან ხანმოკლე იყო, ტრაგიკულად დასრულდა და, ამიტომაც, იგი არ იმსახურებს, რომ იმ ყველაფრით დავიმახსოვროთ, რაც წიგნში წერია და ღმერთმა უწყის, მართალია, თუ არა. მართლა ჯობს, თუ ამ წიგნს ნაგავში მოისვრის ადამიანი და უბრალოდ, youtube-ზე მოძებნის ელგარის კონცერტს ჩელოსა და ორკესტრისათვის, სადაც ჯეკლინი ჩელოზე ასრულებს სოლოს, ბარენბოიმი-დირიჟორია. სადაც ორივენი ახალგაზრდები, ლამაზები, შეყვარებულები არიან და ეს ყველაფერი საოცრად აისახება მუსიკაშიც.
October 18, 2022
I started reading A Genius in the Family while I was really struggling with a bad reaction to my most recent COVID shot. But once I opened the book, I felt a breeze fly over my tight chest. That's how much I enjoyed it at the beginning. The childhood section was so genuine, loving, fun, and childish that I felt lighthearted when Hilary achieved more in her performance, and I teared up when she was overshadowed by her genius sister.
One of the things I learned from this book about raising multiple kids is that each child should enjoy the parents alone every now and then so they feel valued and loved. Another apparent lesson is that the whole family can't run according to one child's needs, no matter how much of a genius they are. Jacqueline might not have done a lot of the hurtful things she did to her family if she wasn't the center of it and felt entitled.
Overall, I'm very grateful that Hilary and Piers gave such a great and open description of their family. Although their adult life has so many heartbreaking events, like Jacqueline once said, their one life is as brilliant as other people's several lives. So why feel sad when you can cheer for their amazing life adventures and achievements?
One of the things I learned from this book about raising multiple kids is that each child should enjoy the parents alone every now and then so they feel valued and loved. Another apparent lesson is that the whole family can't run according to one child's needs, no matter how much of a genius they are. Jacqueline might not have done a lot of the hurtful things she did to her family if she wasn't the center of it and felt entitled.
Overall, I'm very grateful that Hilary and Piers gave such a great and open description of their family. Although their adult life has so many heartbreaking events, like Jacqueline once said, their one life is as brilliant as other people's several lives. So why feel sad when you can cheer for their amazing life adventures and achievements?
July 24, 2023
I loved the beginning, even though I'm not a musician and I wish I could have understood better what Jackie's "genius" was. I loved reading about their childhood and about the girls learning the "shape" of music and becoming best friends. I was also shocked by Jackie saying at 10 that when she grew up she wouldn't be able to move. Unfortunately, that was only touched on once more, and briefly. I wanted to know much more about her intuition, both with music and her health.
After adulthood . . . not so much. I had somehow overlooked the book's subtitle, and I had trouble with all aspects of the sisters sharing "a man." The decisions made by all don't seem conducive to healing someone going through a mental health crisis. I did like the epilogue where the authors tried to understand when Jackie's health issues might have begun.
The authors aren't professional writers and it shows. I would have much preferred them to be interviewed by a journalist, because I think this story could have gone much deeper.
After adulthood . . . not so much. I had somehow overlooked the book's subtitle, and I had trouble with all aspects of the sisters sharing "a man." The decisions made by all don't seem conducive to healing someone going through a mental health crisis. I did like the epilogue where the authors tried to understand when Jackie's health issues might have begun.
The authors aren't professional writers and it shows. I would have much preferred them to be interviewed by a journalist, because I think this story could have gone much deeper.
March 12, 2022
I was not familiar with the professional cello player, Jackie du Pre and her celebrated success and challenging life. A child prodigy on the cello, and driven with passion for music...but also troubled with mental illness...her life was oftentimes in turmoil. The book is written by her sister and brother, offering a glimpse into what life was like growing up and living as adults, They often spun into the power of Jackie's pull regarding her needs for love and support...but equally had to live in the shadow of her successes, which made their own achievements feel less complete or relevant. There were obvious times of envy as well for the talent Jackie possessed, if not the life she was leading. An interesting read that when followed up by listening to the Edgar Concerto, particularly her recording of it, will leave you appreciated a celebrated cello artist from the 60s.
January 8, 2020
Jacqueline's De Pre's tragic diagnosis of multiple sclerosis when she was 28 years old brought to an end her glittering career as a world-renowned cellist but this event is overshadowed by her affair with her brother-in-law, Kiffer and her sister, Hilary's tolerance of the two lovers escaping together for two weeks to satisfy Jacqueline's sexual needs while Hilary is left at home with the children. Full marks to Hilary for the courage to reveal this family drama, something that many might have hidden from the public gaze.
September 16, 2025
Wow, esta historia es un testimonio conmovedor y desgarrador de un talento extraordinario y el costo de la fama. La narrativa no se limita a celebrar el genio, sino que también explora las complejas y a veces dolorosas dinámicas familiares que se desarrollan a la sombra del éxito. Es una mirada honesta a cómo la vida de una persona puede estar definida por una pasión, y lo que ocurre cuando esa pasión le es arrebatada de la forma más cruel. La relación entre las hermanas es el corazón del relato, mostrando la devoción y el sacrificio que a menudo se esconden detrás de la admiración pública.
February 24, 2018
As much as this book recounts the life of Jackqueline Du Pre, it also details the family system that nurtured both the woman and her talent so that her music could be shared with the world. At times, humorous, at times tragic, and at times overwhelming in its honesty, Jackie's siblings invite us to become temporary members of a loving family whose members were willing to make hard sacrifices to support the "Genius in the Family."
September 13, 2025
I enjoyed this a lot and was really surprised to enjoy it this much lol.
so much happened, I can’t remember it all.
Hilary is amazing and so stoical
i’m not sure of my opinion on jackie
it was sad though
so much happened, I can’t remember it all.
Hilary is amazing and so stoical
i’m not sure of my opinion on jackie
it was sad though
December 31, 2017
I started the book admiring Jacqueline, and ended it pitying her. Truly, there is a cost to everything. We mortals are more blessed than we imagine.
November 2, 2018
A 2 star book about a 4 star subject.
March 14, 2019
Good.
January 23, 2023
This was entertaining although I didn't particularly like her. Everyone in the family took a back seat as she was a child prodigy. It was all about her career and making her happy. So hard for her siblings to get any attention from their parents. Amazing that they managed to be successful in their sister's shadow
October 3, 2023
Elgar’s Cello Concerto is probably the saddest concerto ever written, and this is the sad story of the cellist who made it famous, as told by her sister and brother. This was often completely bizarre and much more racy than I expected. Despite some average writing and a bit too much meaningless detail, the du Pré siblings have achieved a frank and fascinating memoir.
March 21, 2025
This is a compelling read. The emphasis is less salacious than the movie based on this book.
December 2, 2024
I find the book too gossipy and disrespectful to the dead who can’t speak for themselves anymore. Jackie was born a star. Only star should be allowed to write about star. Period.
December 8, 2007
Die Geschichte der britischen Star-Cellistin Jacqueline Du Pré, die bereits in jungen Jahren mit ihrem unglaublichen Talent das Publikum verzückte und mit 22 ein ebensolches Musik-Wunderkind - Daniel Barenboim - heiratete, mit dem sie viele Konzerte gab. Bereits im Alter von 28 Jahren wird bei ihr Multiple Sklerose diagnostiziert, woran sie 1987 42jährig stirbt.
Ich hatte von Jaqueline du Pré vorher noch niemals gehört, bin allerdings auch kein Fan und vor allem Kenner der (modernen) klassischen Musikerwelt. Barenboim hingegen war mir zumindest ein Begriff. Ich kaufte das Buch damals wohl eher, weil ich schon mal vom Film gehört hatte - gesehen habe ich ihn allerdings auch nicht. Und wußte auch absolut nichts von der Geschichte (Wunderkind, Schwestern, Krankheit, wahre Geschichte...) bevor ich zu lesen begann.
Gerade der erste Teil des Buches war recht langatmig, wieder und wieder wurde von verschiedenen Konzertauftritten berichtet und wie grandios Jackie spielte. Das langweilt nach einiger Zeit, obwohl die Autoren versuchten die einzelnen Auftritte durch kleine Anekdoten 'greifbarer' zu gestalten. Dennoch...ich musste mich durchkämpfen.
Interessanter wurde immerhin die Geschichte, als Jackie den Mann ihrer Schwester für sich beansprucht - zum aussprechen, zum ausheulen und auch zum austoben im Bett. Hilary ist zwar verletzt, ist aber einverstanden mit dieser Affäre, weil sie alles tun würde um der arg depressiven Jackie zu helfen. Ihr Mann beteuert ebenfalls, es nur zu tun damit es Jackie irgendwann wieder besser geht. Ich habe zum einen nicht recht verstanden wieso Jackie so stark depressiv war (sie war erschöpft von den Reisen durch die Welt mit ihrem ebenso prominenten Mann, und in der Ehe stand es zu dem Zeitpunkt wohl nicht zum besten - aber mir erschien das nicht Grund genug zu sein um ihre monatelange schlechte Verfassung wirklich zu erklären). Ebenso unbegreiflich finde ich das Verhalten von Hilary und ihrem Mann. Normal ist das jedenfalls nicht, denke ich mir. Anfang der 70er wurde bei Jackie dann Multiple Sklerose diagnostiziert, sie konnte kaum mehr auf ihrem geliebten Cello spielen und erst recht nicht mehr öffentlich damit auftreten. 14 Jahre später starb sie - im Grunde war es dann schon eine Erlösung.
In den überwiegenden Passagen des Buches, die abwechselnd von ihrer Schwester Hilary und ihrem Bruder Piers erzählt werden, fand ich Jackie unsympathisch bis extrem unsympathisch. Sie ist verwöhnt (die komplette Familie kümmert sich in erster Linie nur um sie und ihre Bedürfnisse), auch eingebildet, sehr fordernd, arrogant, egoistisch und teilweise rücksichtslos. Als ihr Vater schwer erkrankt, als sie selbst auch schon mit MS diagnostiziert wurde, interessiert sie das kein bißchen - sie möchte nichts davon wissen, weil es ihr zu viel ist, über einen kranken Vater nachzudenken. Nur manchmal im Kontakt mit ihren Nichten udn Neffen kam sie herzlich rüber.
Bewunderswert ist eigentlich, dass ihre beiden Geschwister - die mehrmals betonen wie sehr sie Jackie liebten - sich in diesem Buch nicht scheuen auch deren schlechtere Seite zu zeigen. Besonders Hilary schreibt an verschiedenen Stellen, dass Jackie ihr sehr weh getan hat durch ihre Affäre mit ihrem Mann oder auch durch ihre starke Boshaftigkeiten in einem späteren Stadium ihrer Krankheit. Eben wegen dieser offenen, in einigen Passagen sicher auch sehr privaten Biografie, ist das Buch dann doch wieder lesenswert.
Nun kenne ich Du Prés Musik nicht, vielleicht macht die all ihre schlechten Eigenschaften wieder wett. Falls sie mir mal musikalisch über den Weg läuft, werde ich sicher genau hinhören.
Ich hatte von Jaqueline du Pré vorher noch niemals gehört, bin allerdings auch kein Fan und vor allem Kenner der (modernen) klassischen Musikerwelt. Barenboim hingegen war mir zumindest ein Begriff. Ich kaufte das Buch damals wohl eher, weil ich schon mal vom Film gehört hatte - gesehen habe ich ihn allerdings auch nicht. Und wußte auch absolut nichts von der Geschichte (Wunderkind, Schwestern, Krankheit, wahre Geschichte...) bevor ich zu lesen begann.
Gerade der erste Teil des Buches war recht langatmig, wieder und wieder wurde von verschiedenen Konzertauftritten berichtet und wie grandios Jackie spielte. Das langweilt nach einiger Zeit, obwohl die Autoren versuchten die einzelnen Auftritte durch kleine Anekdoten 'greifbarer' zu gestalten. Dennoch...ich musste mich durchkämpfen.
Interessanter wurde immerhin die Geschichte, als Jackie den Mann ihrer Schwester für sich beansprucht - zum aussprechen, zum ausheulen und auch zum austoben im Bett. Hilary ist zwar verletzt, ist aber einverstanden mit dieser Affäre, weil sie alles tun würde um der arg depressiven Jackie zu helfen. Ihr Mann beteuert ebenfalls, es nur zu tun damit es Jackie irgendwann wieder besser geht. Ich habe zum einen nicht recht verstanden wieso Jackie so stark depressiv war (sie war erschöpft von den Reisen durch die Welt mit ihrem ebenso prominenten Mann, und in der Ehe stand es zu dem Zeitpunkt wohl nicht zum besten - aber mir erschien das nicht Grund genug zu sein um ihre monatelange schlechte Verfassung wirklich zu erklären). Ebenso unbegreiflich finde ich das Verhalten von Hilary und ihrem Mann. Normal ist das jedenfalls nicht, denke ich mir. Anfang der 70er wurde bei Jackie dann Multiple Sklerose diagnostiziert, sie konnte kaum mehr auf ihrem geliebten Cello spielen und erst recht nicht mehr öffentlich damit auftreten. 14 Jahre später starb sie - im Grunde war es dann schon eine Erlösung.
In den überwiegenden Passagen des Buches, die abwechselnd von ihrer Schwester Hilary und ihrem Bruder Piers erzählt werden, fand ich Jackie unsympathisch bis extrem unsympathisch. Sie ist verwöhnt (die komplette Familie kümmert sich in erster Linie nur um sie und ihre Bedürfnisse), auch eingebildet, sehr fordernd, arrogant, egoistisch und teilweise rücksichtslos. Als ihr Vater schwer erkrankt, als sie selbst auch schon mit MS diagnostiziert wurde, interessiert sie das kein bißchen - sie möchte nichts davon wissen, weil es ihr zu viel ist, über einen kranken Vater nachzudenken. Nur manchmal im Kontakt mit ihren Nichten udn Neffen kam sie herzlich rüber.
Bewunderswert ist eigentlich, dass ihre beiden Geschwister - die mehrmals betonen wie sehr sie Jackie liebten - sich in diesem Buch nicht scheuen auch deren schlechtere Seite zu zeigen. Besonders Hilary schreibt an verschiedenen Stellen, dass Jackie ihr sehr weh getan hat durch ihre Affäre mit ihrem Mann oder auch durch ihre starke Boshaftigkeiten in einem späteren Stadium ihrer Krankheit. Eben wegen dieser offenen, in einigen Passagen sicher auch sehr privaten Biografie, ist das Buch dann doch wieder lesenswert.
Nun kenne ich Du Prés Musik nicht, vielleicht macht die all ihre schlechten Eigenschaften wieder wett. Falls sie mir mal musikalisch über den Weg läuft, werde ich sicher genau hinhören.
June 5, 2012
Jacqueline du Pre- born in 1945, English, cello prodigy and genius, professional debut at age 16, played for Pablo Casals, studied in Russia with Rostropovich, married to world-renowned pianist Daniel Barenboim, playing at her peak in her early 20’s and performing in the highest venues the world over, muscular sclerosis diagnosed at age 28, in a wheel chair 18 months later, and dead at age 42.
First, I read this book and then watched the movie. HATED the movie. Do not bother with it- in no way does it do justice to the book. If I hadn’t read the book, I would not have had a clue as to what was happening and it would not have made sense.
Second, what a story and what oddness there was in it! Jacqueline du Pre was a natural genius on the cello- absolutely no doubt about that, but this genius came in the form of a rather large, sometimes clumsy, lively, English country girl who had a natural bent toward silliness and frequently, crassness, along with a demanding personality. She seemed to have two sides...when she sat down with the cello, she BECAME the music and you could swear she had dropped straight from heaven from the hand of God. But there was another much darker side which plagued her and the people surrounding her.
Genius is always hard to reckon with for the “normal” folks who surround them. But I maintain that even genius needs to submit to certain limitations in keeping with societal norms, and this extends to not expecting/taking/requesting your sister’s husband for carnal purposes because you are having a breakdown and are feeling excessively needy and your own husband is not fitting the bill. And doing this right under your sister’s nose and ostensibly, with her consent. What?? This is some tremendously odd stuff and it’s hard to understand this part of the story.
Mind you, these two sisters had a deep and unusually close relationship from early on, although over the years, they spent a lot of time apart because Jackie was off performing all over the world with her musician husband and Hilary married a musician, made a stable home, had four children, and raised dairy cows, goats, sheep, & chickens and tended a self-sufficient garden as well. So it was interesting to read this book as a “sister story” on one level.
I was also stuck hard by the amazing mother of these two daughters, Iris Greep. She went through years as a maligned “pushy” mother when Jackie was attacked by muscular sclerosis, but she appeared to me to be the most supportive mother ever (according to her daughter’s rendition of her in the book, that is) and a HUGE factor behind Jackie’s success as a musician. She was one remarkable woman. The music she composed and hand wrote, with illustrations, to teach little 5-year-old Jackie, and put by her bedside where she would find it first thing in the morning and race downstairs to learn a new song....wow!
I was fascinated by this story even though it was more a retelling of events and not so much a delving into the “whys” of certain behaviors. I am still very curious about the “whys” and think an insightful psychologist would have a heyday with this family.
Finally, I have fallen in love with Jacqueline’s signature piece- the Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor and invite you to have a listen to a small piece of a documentary of her life which finishes with the exquisite Elgar Concerto- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnt46x...
First, I read this book and then watched the movie. HATED the movie. Do not bother with it- in no way does it do justice to the book. If I hadn’t read the book, I would not have had a clue as to what was happening and it would not have made sense.
Second, what a story and what oddness there was in it! Jacqueline du Pre was a natural genius on the cello- absolutely no doubt about that, but this genius came in the form of a rather large, sometimes clumsy, lively, English country girl who had a natural bent toward silliness and frequently, crassness, along with a demanding personality. She seemed to have two sides...when she sat down with the cello, she BECAME the music and you could swear she had dropped straight from heaven from the hand of God. But there was another much darker side which plagued her and the people surrounding her.
Genius is always hard to reckon with for the “normal” folks who surround them. But I maintain that even genius needs to submit to certain limitations in keeping with societal norms, and this extends to not expecting/taking/requesting your sister’s husband for carnal purposes because you are having a breakdown and are feeling excessively needy and your own husband is not fitting the bill. And doing this right under your sister’s nose and ostensibly, with her consent. What?? This is some tremendously odd stuff and it’s hard to understand this part of the story.
Mind you, these two sisters had a deep and unusually close relationship from early on, although over the years, they spent a lot of time apart because Jackie was off performing all over the world with her musician husband and Hilary married a musician, made a stable home, had four children, and raised dairy cows, goats, sheep, & chickens and tended a self-sufficient garden as well. So it was interesting to read this book as a “sister story” on one level.
I was also stuck hard by the amazing mother of these two daughters, Iris Greep. She went through years as a maligned “pushy” mother when Jackie was attacked by muscular sclerosis, but she appeared to me to be the most supportive mother ever (according to her daughter’s rendition of her in the book, that is) and a HUGE factor behind Jackie’s success as a musician. She was one remarkable woman. The music she composed and hand wrote, with illustrations, to teach little 5-year-old Jackie, and put by her bedside where she would find it first thing in the morning and race downstairs to learn a new song....wow!
I was fascinated by this story even though it was more a retelling of events and not so much a delving into the “whys” of certain behaviors. I am still very curious about the “whys” and think an insightful psychologist would have a heyday with this family.
Finally, I have fallen in love with Jacqueline’s signature piece- the Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor and invite you to have a listen to a small piece of a documentary of her life which finishes with the exquisite Elgar Concerto- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnt46x...
August 11, 2017
Wow. This is definitely an intimate biography. Hilary and Piers Du Pre describe their sister's life as they remember it: a mix of music and personal so detailed that it has been called exploitative and insulting. (I did feel a bit voyeuristic while reading in the airport! But then, I was crying openly by the end, and that was more embarrassing for me.)
This is a biography of Jacqueline Du Pre, the English cellist. Told from her siblings' perspectives, Jackie is a child prodigy who grows up to earn great acclaim in the musical arena. The book showcases her playing, and also her struggles with depression, relationships and finally, her fatal battle with multiple sclerosis.
The main "scandal" of the book is Jackie's agreement with her sister Hilary (also a celebrated musician) and Hilary's husband Christopher, or "Kiffer." It is unclear whether "Kiffer" was truly interested in helping his sister-in-law or was taking advantage of her depression, but the affair between them was with Hilary's consent. Her contributions to the book are more emotional than Piers', as she seems to have been closer to Jackie.
Piers' excerpts I found to be quite self-centered and more exploratory of his own life, rather than Jackie's. Late in the book he is converted to Christianity (from...Christianity? I wasn't sure, but I thought it was a conversion from non-practicing Anglican to Born-Again, as Americans know the phrase) and details how it affected his relationship with Jackie. In his writing/memories, Piers comes across as lost in the swirl of accolades around his sisters and their musical abilities.
Behavior of a Scandalous Nature and Possible Sibling Jealousy aside, this is a very involving read. Jackie is a doomed genius. Her struggles to continue after her MS diagnosis are as heartbreaking as her earlier mental and relationship problems. It was a hard book to finish.
If you've listened to any Jacqueline Du Pre recordings, I would recommend reading this. Then again, maybe I wouldn't.
This is a biography of Jacqueline Du Pre, the English cellist. Told from her siblings' perspectives, Jackie is a child prodigy who grows up to earn great acclaim in the musical arena. The book showcases her playing, and also her struggles with depression, relationships and finally, her fatal battle with multiple sclerosis.
The main "scandal" of the book is Jackie's agreement with her sister Hilary (also a celebrated musician) and Hilary's husband Christopher, or "Kiffer." It is unclear whether "Kiffer" was truly interested in helping his sister-in-law or was taking advantage of her depression, but the affair between them was with Hilary's consent. Her contributions to the book are more emotional than Piers', as she seems to have been closer to Jackie.
Piers' excerpts I found to be quite self-centered and more exploratory of his own life, rather than Jackie's. Late in the book he is converted to Christianity (from...Christianity? I wasn't sure, but I thought it was a conversion from non-practicing Anglican to Born-Again, as Americans know the phrase) and details how it affected his relationship with Jackie. In his writing/memories, Piers comes across as lost in the swirl of accolades around his sisters and their musical abilities.
Behavior of a Scandalous Nature and Possible Sibling Jealousy aside, this is a very involving read. Jackie is a doomed genius. Her struggles to continue after her MS diagnosis are as heartbreaking as her earlier mental and relationship problems. It was a hard book to finish.
If you've listened to any Jacqueline Du Pre recordings, I would recommend reading this. Then again, maybe I wouldn't.
May 1, 2008
I saw the movie, Hilary and Jackie, and now have read the book. It was in the bed and breakfast we stayed in when we visited Becca and Luca in Brooklyn and I'd forgotten to bring something to read. Becca found it.
I think the book and movie go together very well. Jackie du Pre, a tremendously talented concert cellist, was married to the conductor Daniel B . . . can't spell his name. Shortly after her career had taken off she got MS and was not able to play. She died in her late 40s. The book is written by her older sister, Hilary (a concert flautist), and younger brother, Piers (a BOAC pilot). All three were/are very talented, but Jackie was the Genius in the Family (the former title of the book). One of the really bizarre things that took place happened toward the end of Jackie's career and at the apparent beginning of MS. Jackie had an affair with Hilary's husband, with Hilary's blessings. The book helps explain the dynamics of the triangle. The story is also a bit of a detective story. Hilary and Piers write this memoir/biography then go back and try to trace the beginnings of Jackie's MS. At the time it seemed to strike very quickly. In retrospect, she probably had intermittent symptoms for some time --- hence her need of comfort from Hilary's husband, hence her emotional ups and down with her own husband.
I think the book and movie go together very well. Jackie du Pre, a tremendously talented concert cellist, was married to the conductor Daniel B . . . can't spell his name. Shortly after her career had taken off she got MS and was not able to play. She died in her late 40s. The book is written by her older sister, Hilary (a concert flautist), and younger brother, Piers (a BOAC pilot). All three were/are very talented, but Jackie was the Genius in the Family (the former title of the book). One of the really bizarre things that took place happened toward the end of Jackie's career and at the apparent beginning of MS. Jackie had an affair with Hilary's husband, with Hilary's blessings. The book helps explain the dynamics of the triangle. The story is also a bit of a detective story. Hilary and Piers write this memoir/biography then go back and try to trace the beginnings of Jackie's MS. At the time it seemed to strike very quickly. In retrospect, she probably had intermittent symptoms for some time --- hence her need of comfort from Hilary's husband, hence her emotional ups and down with her own husband.
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