The Glass Harmonica
by Louise Marley
Ace Books, September 12,2000
ISBN: 0441007295 - paperback
Adult Fantasy / Historical to 2018
Reviewed by Sue
Johnson, MyShelf.com
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Eilish Eam, an Irish
orphan, is saved from a life on the streets of London by Benjamin Franklin,
after he hears her playing musical glasses for money. Franklin has developed
a new instrument, known as the glass harmonica, that works on the same
principle, and needs a musician to help tune and play it. Eilish's life
takes a turn for the better when she is allowed to move in to Franklin's
home, where she makes friends with another famous musician. However, she
cannot forget her past and the handicapped child she had to leave behind.
Fast forward to the
year 2018. Erin Ruston, a fine musician of the glass harmonica, is living
in an America of a very different time. The well-to-do are living in luxury,
while the poor are sent to live in the squalor of tent cities. Soon after
being allowed to play the original glass harmonica, Erin begins seeing
visions of the young Eilish.
Erin's brother suffers
a neurological disease and is wheelchair-bound. Through these visions
of Eilish, Erin begins to realize that the glass harmonica may have the
power to either heal a person or drive them insane.
This is not my usual
type of read, as it borders on science and historical fiction, but the
story is well-presented and quickly captured my attention. The writer,
Louise Marley, is an opera singer, and her knowledge and love of music
are quite evident in her words.
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