A New York Times Notable BookA San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, and Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year“A gripping and resonant novel. . . . It immerses the reader in a distant world with startling immediacy and ardor. . . . Riveting.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York TimesIn 1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British … piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British War Office: to travel to the remote jungles of northeast Burma and there repair a rare piano belonging to an eccentric army surgeon who has proven mysteriously indispensable to the imperial design. From this irresistible beginning, The Piano Tuner launches readers into a world of seductive, vibrantly rendered characters, and enmeshes them in an unbreakable spell of storytelling.
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In 1886, the British War Offices hired a young, experienced piano tuner in London to travel to a remote jungle in Burma to repair the piano of a controversial British surgeon. The camp where the surgeon lives is in a dangerous section of norther Burma where tribes are fighting a civil war. Mason’s writing is elegant, beautiful descriptions of …
A great tale.
Usually a good story teller, I thought I would really like this book but it was too wordy and explained to many things that were not relevant to the story line. I kept reading hoping for some action which came late and not that dramatic. The ending left me searching for the meaning this book was even written. there did not seem to a point to it. …
Weird but good. Reminded me of Apocalypse Now.
Interesting and unusual but a disappointing ending.
Well-written. The first part was very good, with excellent character building, a bit of suspense, etc.. But the ending was a let down since this is not at all what the author had been leading up to in the first part. The politics were a bit confused, one never knew if the man who had ordered the Piano was some good person out of Graham Greene or a …
And the author did a rotation with my husband as a med student. Amazing to write and go to med school at the same time!
Love it. I was originally attracted to the book for its title. I love piano music and I am always interested in piano construction. As it turns out, the book satisfied other interests and enjoyments. I love hearing about places where I have never been and therefore the travels through Burma in the nineteenth century was wonderful. The …
Fascinating story with exceptional characters.
A window into Burma (Myanmar), British colonialism, ability of individuals from different cultures to connect but be crushed by larger forces around them. And then there is the love and language of music.
I could not plow through it; I tried, but the pacing was just too slow for me.
Wonderful book. When it is over – it’s not over, you can’t get it out of your mind. This would be great for a book club because you definitely want to have someone to discuss this book with.
Intriguing story.
I didn’t like it. It is written in a stream of conscious fashion which irritates the living daylights out of me. If I had had an opportunity to read a sample I wouldn’t have acquired it. If you like that sort of writing it cold be good for you.
Great book. A little slow in the ending but well worth it.
A most excellent story that reveals the complexity of politics in the Orient
Character development was outstanding. The author transports the reader to another time and place with an intriguing and haunting piece of historical fiction.
Great read! Very interesting. I learned a ton about Burma and is people and the story was fascinating.
The piano tuner was an interesting character, likable and loyal. I didn’t (and still don’t) know anything about the politics of the British in Burma and, of course, this is a work of fiction. However, the musical references kept my interest. Strong characters were introduced throughout the book, but it was the piano tuner I was rooting for. If …