Alicia's Gift

Alicia's Gift

by JessicaDuchen (Author)

Synopsis

Alicia is four years old when she sits down at the family piano and plays by ear a classical piece she heard earlier that day in nursery. Her parents, a couple of slightly above average musical ability, are amazed -- and increasingly stunned as Alicia grows older and they realise the extent of her talent. How do you deal with a child like this? Do you help her to fufil her amazing potential, hectoring them to practice their scales at 6 in the morning, not letting her play sport in case she damages her hands, or go out with friends in case she's distracted? Or do you let her have a normal childhood, and run the risk of her growing up unfulfilled, and the world losing an amazing talent? What's for sure is that Alicia's family are already showing stress fractures, and though they'll try to do the best they can, it's an impossible situation for mother, father and brother, and for Alicia herself, who doesn't seem to get a say in what goes on...

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Published: 08 Mar 2007

ISBN 10: 0340839325
ISBN 13: 9780340839324

Media Reviews
'Jessica Duchen's debut novel is captivating, imaginative and fascinating. As a musician and a mother, I recognized many of the scenarios and found the questions that were posed very poignant, both from a musical and personal perspective. The pace builds powerfully to a dramatic and ultimately very moving conclusion. Completely gripping!' - Tasmin Little on RITES OF SPRING
Author Bio
Jessica Duchen was born in London and grew up with music and writing as twin passions. She has written for publications including The Independent and BBC Music Magazine and as a music journalist has interviewed most of today's greatest musicians. Her books include biographies of the composers Gabriel Faure and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. As a pianist she plays in a duo with her violinist husband. They live in south-west London.