Book Review
Title: A Thousand Perfect Notes
Author: C. G. Drews
Genre: YA/Social Issues/Abuse
Rating: *****
Review: So, I didn’t know much about A Thousand Perfect Notes going into it, as it wasn’t on my TBR, but I received it in an ARC bundle I won. The opening was interesting, to say the least, we are introduced to Beck, his sister Joey and their mother known as the Maestro. It is obvious from the start that Beck and his mother have an abusive relationship as she mentally and emotionally abuses him for not being good enough at the piano that he even contemplated cutting off his hands to spite her. She is also financially abusive towards her children as they have sub-standard clothes and shoes, but they own a $20,000 piano in the house.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, Beck’s life isn’t getting any better when he is paired with the strange August for a class project that will determine whether he passes or fails the year. However, the Maestro will make meeting August at any time very difficult because of her strict schedule for Beck, but they do find the time and they seem to be building a nice friendship despite their problems. August really reminded me of Luna from Harry Potter, the blonde dreadlocks, the hippy-like clothes, the lack of shoes, which was a really nice touch. However, his friendship with August made Beck lose sight of what he has been training for with the Maestro and he knows if he doesn’t win at the competition then very difficult times lie ahead for him.
As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, disaster occurs at the competition and Beck has to face the Maestro’s rage afterwards, but it isn’t his fault and I felt so sorry for him and Joey. While the Maestro has never hit Joey, she does neglect her daughter depriving her of food and school during these times. However, August isn’t willing to let it go and is determined to get the truth out of Beck, but she does it in such a way that for the first time in his life he feels truly cared for and wants to open up to her but is terrified of what the consequences would be. It was also very interesting to see the ever-present mother be the abusive parent. In most YA literature I have read it is typically the father that is abusive, and if there is an abusive mother it is typically mental or emotional abusive not physical. Despite everything I am really beginning to hate the Maestro for all that she has done to her children in the pursuit to reclaim her own fame from long ago.
As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, August has managed to solidly implant herself in Beck’s life even going toe to toe with the Maestro. However, there is a dark cloud hanging over Beck as his uncle was is also a famous pianist and composer like his mother before the stroke is coming to visit. Beck is also informed that if his uncle is impressed with his playing he will be going to Germany and for the first time, we see Beck rebel in his own way by playing his own music. August also wants to hear him play and asks him to write her a song as a way of repaying her for getting an A new n the assignment. Slowly we see Beck’s walls crumbling around August and he begins to care for her more and more and can’t deny the fact that he likes having her in his life and may be developing some romantic feeling towards her.
As we cross the halfway mark in the novel, Beck is worried about his uncle’s arrival and this is only made worse when the Maestro tries to force Joey into playing the piano. When Beck stands up for her he takes the brunt of his mother’s wrath and realises that she may be sending him to Germany whether he likes it or not but then that leaves little Joey completely defenceless.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Beck and Joey are treated to another dose of wrath from their mother and this time instead of suffering in silence Beck goes to August for support and it is there in her back garden surrounded by animals under the night sky that they have their first kiss and Beck almost finishes composing her song. However, he is due to meet his uncle for the first time and Beck is so nervous. But his uncle Jan is nothing like he expected and is drastically different from his mother and he considers for the first time moving to Germany. Honestly, the performance is one of Beck’s best with the expectation of one note.
As we cross into the final section of the novel, we see everything collide in one fatal night. Beck is forced to decide and while he tries to stay true to himself his mother once again forces his hand, but he isn’t going to sit back and take it like every other time. Overall, I felt a thousand perfect notes was beautiful and heartbreaking, and I would have loved to see a little epilogue about what happened to everyone after the end but the way it ending perfectly suited the tone of the novel. Highly recommend and I can’t wait to read more from this author very soon.
Buy it here:
Paperback: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
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