20–6128
Josephine Prescott was a musical prodigy in her little town of Parksburg and the admiration of her townspeople made it possible for her to continue her studies on the piano with a famous teacher in New York. There her personal charms secured her many friends among musical and literary people whose Bohemian life she shared. A great violin virtuoso chose her for his inspiration and she loved the man in him while the artist left her indifferent. Her teacher, the great Brandt, dubious about her artistic testing, tried her out; one year, two years. In the third year he tells her that, with all her talent, she will never be a great artist, for she lacks understanding. Despondent and with all her hopes shattered, she again hears the great violinist and suddenly awakes to the realization that she understands and thrills to his music, that she no longer loves the man but the artist. And outside of the hall on the sidewalk romance stands waiting for her.
“Although conventional, the well-sustained suspense and the pleasant characterization give it an interest that will appeal to women and girls.”
+ Booklist 16:313 Je ’20
“The illuminating discussions of temperament, technique and the larger understanding necessary to genius, should prove valuable to many seeking a career in music, or indeed in any of the arts.”
+ Cleveland p71 Ag ’20 80w
“A moral tale but interesting, it has a lot of musical good sense and is highly to be recommended to the concert-stage struck girl.”
+ Ind 103:323 S 11 ’20 50w
“The book lacks character development. The novel drags badly at times, but some of the scenes are well written. Brandt’s speeches are usually good, and as a whole it is a conscientious piece of work with an excellent moral.”