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The Recital
New Song, Second Verse
Gerrit and Joan discovered the beauty of second chances when they fell in love. But life isn’t “happily ever after” when the widowed dairy farmer and big-city piano teacher get married. When they move to Chicago to pursue a teaching opportunity for Joan, Gerrit the country boy must find new purpose in an unfamiliar urban world. It’s not an easy change for him, but his friendship with Zhao, a visiting Chinese musician, begins to give him new purpose. Meanwhile, Joan tries to accept her husband for who he is, even as she struggles to find her place as a music professor in this clash between small-town values and big-city ways.
In this poignant sequel to The Duet, Joan and Gerrit redefine the meaning of love and home as they learn painful new lessons about mutual sacrifice.
Gerrit and Joan discovered the beauty of second chances when they fell in love. But life isn’t “happily ever after” when the widowed dairy farmer and big-city piano teacher get married. When they move to Chicago to pursue a teaching opportunity for Joan, Gerrit the country boy must find new purpose in an unfamiliar urban world. It’s not an easy change for him, but his friendship with Zhao, a visiting Chinese musician, begins to give him new purpose. Meanwhile, Joan tries to accept her husband for who he is, even as she struggles to find her place as a music professor in this clash between small-town values and big-city ways.
In this poignant sequel to The Duet, Joan and Gerrit redefine the meaning of love and home as they learn painful new lessons about mutual sacrifice.
- GenresChristian Fiction
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Robert Elmer
90 books69 followersRobert Elmer is the author of more than fifty books, including contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience, nonfiction devotionals like Piercing Heaven and Fount of Heaven (Lexham Press), and seven series for younger readers. Among kids, he is best known for his historicals such as the Young Underground, Adventures Down Under, Life Behind the Wall, and Promise of Zion books. When he's not at the keyboard, he enjoys beachcombing and travel with his wife, and spending time with their three kids and families.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 12, 2020
A loving and sweet story with a bittersweet ending.
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March 9, 2023free on kindle
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August 16, 2024
Easy read. Sequel to The Duet.
May 22, 2019
2.5 stars.
Gerrit and Joan (who first appeared in The Duet) have discovered the joy of finding a second person to love in their lives. The widow and widower fell in love in Gerrit's small home town in Washington State. Now the retired dairy farmer and well-known piano professor are getting married. They have come to an understanding about the differences in their styles of worship, knowing that they agree on the basics of Christianity.
An opportunity comes up for Joan to move to Chicago to teach at a renowned music school, and Gerrit decides that he can leave his comfortable, familiar life to help his new bride pursue her dreams. Chicago isn't what Gerrit expects, and although he tries to make the best of things, he doesn't feel like he fits in. Joan is excelling in her career, but tries to understand Gerrit's emotions. It will take a dairy barn, a student from China, and a lot of prayer to find the balance they both need in their lives.
The Recital is a sweet sequel to The Duet. Readers will want to read the first book in order to understand the deeper emotions of the sequel. Gerrit's character now seems more settled and less stodgy than before. I truly enjoyed getting to know both of them and liked how they worked out their differences. Gerrit does grate on me at times, as his views are definitely old-fashioned and his mannerisms reflect his age. Younger readers may have a difficult time identifying with the characters, but conversely, many older readers will appreciate having protagonists to whom they can relate.
The gut-wrenching conclusion of The Recital caught me unprepared. Be aware that an emotion-packed ending is in store and keep the tissues handy. The poignant love story is touching and the mature development of a later-in-life relationship will bring hope to even the most jaded reader.
Gerrit and Joan (who first appeared in The Duet) have discovered the joy of finding a second person to love in their lives. The widow and widower fell in love in Gerrit's small home town in Washington State. Now the retired dairy farmer and well-known piano professor are getting married. They have come to an understanding about the differences in their styles of worship, knowing that they agree on the basics of Christianity.
An opportunity comes up for Joan to move to Chicago to teach at a renowned music school, and Gerrit decides that he can leave his comfortable, familiar life to help his new bride pursue her dreams. Chicago isn't what Gerrit expects, and although he tries to make the best of things, he doesn't feel like he fits in. Joan is excelling in her career, but tries to understand Gerrit's emotions. It will take a dairy barn, a student from China, and a lot of prayer to find the balance they both need in their lives.
The Recital is a sweet sequel to The Duet. Readers will want to read the first book in order to understand the deeper emotions of the sequel. Gerrit's character now seems more settled and less stodgy than before. I truly enjoyed getting to know both of them and liked how they worked out their differences. Gerrit does grate on me at times, as his views are definitely old-fashioned and his mannerisms reflect his age. Younger readers may have a difficult time identifying with the characters, but conversely, many older readers will appreciate having protagonists to whom they can relate.
The gut-wrenching conclusion of The Recital caught me unprepared. Be aware that an emotion-packed ending is in store and keep the tissues handy. The poignant love story is touching and the mature development of a later-in-life relationship will bring hope to even the most jaded reader.
July 23, 2011
"Gerrit and Joan discovered the beauty of second chances when they fell in love. But life isn’t “happily ever after” when the widowed dairy farmer and big-city piano teacher get married. When they move to Chicago to pursue a teaching opportunity for Joan, Gerrit the country boy must find new purpose in an unfamiliar urban world. It’s not an easy change for him, but his friendship with Zhao, a visiting Chinese musician, begins to give him new purpose. Meanwhile, Joan tries to accept her husband for who he is, even as she struggles to find her place as a music professor in this clash between small-town values and big-city ways.
In this poignant sequel to The Duet, Joan and Gerrit redefine the meaning of love and home as they learn painful new lessons about mutual sacrifice."
In this poignant sequel to The Duet, Joan and Gerrit redefine the meaning of love and home as they learn painful new lessons about mutual sacrifice."
May 6, 2009
This had a little more arguing and less charm than the first book, in my opinion. Also, I don't like how the Calvinist position is rather unlike the real Calvinist position (admitted by the author in the first in this series, but still)....So I was almost tempted to give it two stars, but I liked some of it, at least.
February 27, 2017
Boo. Hiss. I didn't like this one. The first one (the duet) was so nice and unexpected. But this one was contentious from the start. All they did was argue about religion. Hello? Jesus is Jesus no matter your denomination. And then he dies? Seriously? Oh...spoiler alert. I think the author had some personal issues he was working out here but I really wish I hadn't read it.
April 30, 2014
This book had a topic unlike any other I've read before. It's about a couple, both in their 60s, who get married and then move to Chicago. Joan is ecstatic about her teaching job,but Garrett is not used to the big city life since farming is all he knows. The ending is very sad,but still there is hope.
February 9, 2015
After The Duet
I didn't think this could be any better than The Duet, but happily I was wrong. Don't miss this one.
I didn't think this could be any better than The Duet, but happily I was wrong. Don't miss this one.
June 27, 2016
Too judgemental....young unmarried woman gets pregnant, etc.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews