An Equal Music

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The violinist hero of Vikram Seth's third novel longs for secret harmonies but finds himself frustrated in London, ten years after a pivotal disaster. Michael Holme feels irritated by his beautiful young girlfriend and his colleagues in the Maggiore Quartet, tired of playing second fiddle in both life and art. A chance encounter with Julia, the pianist he once loved in Vienna, brings him unexpected joy, but her troubling situation threatens their rekindled romance. Despite its shorter length compared to Seth's previous work, the novel offers rich complexities, both personal and lyrical, while avoiding clichés. Michael's emotional struggles are highlighted when he reflects on how inadequate his words seem in expressing his feelings for Julia. The narrative also explores the dynamics of collaboration and trust within the quartet, likening it to various forms of relationships filled with tension and pleasure. The significance of music is profound, with Schubert's Trout Quintet and a rare Beethoven piece playing crucial roles. Michael's longing for both Julia and his borrowed Tononi violin underscores themes of possession and loss. As the story unfolds across cities, readers will be captivated by its emotional depth and musical intricacies.