School of Velocity - Hardcover

Eric Beck Rubin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0993506275 ISBN 13: 9780993506277

Publisher: One, 2016

Synopsis

A psychologically taut tale about a virtuoso pianist plagued by unwanted music in his head

Jan, an experienced virtuoso pianist, is about to go on stage to perform his solo. But, once again, the music he hears in his head is not what he is supposed to be playing. Will it go away in time, or will it sabotage his performance?

As he struggles with this hidden condition, he thinks about his high school friend Dirk - a magnetic, eccentric personality. It began like a game, with Dirk playfully stealing Jan's first girlfriend. And it continued like a game - a very close friendship with an undertone of danger.

They go their separate ways after high school, but when they reunite as adults, Jan wonders: is Dirk really the strong character he appeared to be, and was their friendship in fact real, life-long love?

The final game Jan plays - a blind ride on a dark country road - is the most dangerous of all. In this powerful debut, Eric Beck Rubin conjures up a moving tale full of music and raw human emotion, with a virtuoso touch.

About this title

Review:

'A hugely impressive first novel about music, friendship and obsession. Gripping and emotional' -- David Nicholls

'A luminous, quiet storm of a novel that resounds long after its heartbreaking coda' -- Guardian

'An elegant, synaesthetic tale... Gatsby-like' -- Financial Times

'Overtones of Patricia Highsmith... the world go talented youth is a captivating backdrop... a very pleasant interlude' -- Irish Times

'I adored this debut. It's a fascinating dissection of the power of friendship' --Irish Examiner

'Poised and lyrical, with all the rhythm and some of the ache of the Faurés and Debussys it dwells upon' -- Big Issue

'A beautifully written debut novel about obsession and repression' -- Attitude

'An enthralling novel about the unfathomable mysteries of the human heart and brain... Simply and elegantly written, the tension in the gripping narrative builds like a symphony' -- The Lady

'Sophisticated European quality and intelligent writing style' -- Nudge

'It's about huge and basic emotions: insecurity, friendship, need, sex. It delivers all of this in elegantly readable prose, efficient yet deeply moving. I loved it' --Elle Thinks

About the Author:

Eric Beck Rubin is a cultural historian who writes on architecture, literature, and psychology. School of Velocity is his first novel.

About this edition

• Publisher: One
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0993506275
• ISBN 13: 9780993506277
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224