Not often does a life long advertising executive put his pen to paper and yield, on the first try, a captivating work of fiction, but David Abbott from the United Kingdom, meets this challenge in the newly released The Upright Piano Player. Those readers looking for a provoking summer read, but not typically a “beach read”, will be gladdened by reading this smallish novel. In fact, it is published in such a small format that it fits perfectly in a tote bag or a satchel or a purse, but that is where the typical summer vacation book similarity ends.
As the novel opens in a short Part One, which actually serves the purpose of a preface, the reader is actually taken forward in time to pique his interest, for the rest of the novel jumps back to play out the story, not in a linear pattern, but certainly in a well crafted way in Part Two. As the protagonist, aging Henry Cage, enters the last part of his life, he is ready, as most people are, to have some peace and to enjoy some relaxing times in the sunset of his life. But as life itself usually unfolds, this is not what happens. If good fiction mimics reality, then this novel qualifies as superlative fiction.
A series of unfortunate events flow rapidly toward Henry Cage’s life, and he is caught by surprise multiple times, often ignoring the danger and/or the possibilities. An ex-wife becomes gravely ill, and he has the opportunity to set some things right. A violent stalker starts threatening his life and well being, and he initially refuses to contact the police. A beloved grandchild is snatched from him, and he can’t face the pain and reach out to his own son.
The reader suffers with him but wishes he would stop the long series of denials and step up to the plate to make some things right in his life. Yet, in spite of his ineptitude, the reader becomes fond of Henry and wishes the best for him. Is Henry Cage an “everyman”? Is he simply a victim of life’s fickleness? He has seemingly done most things “right”, but he seems to have an disproportionate amount of pain heaped upon him in his old age. Will he find happiness ever, or only moments of fleeting joy?
I was reminded in a slight way of Philip Roth’s Everyman, which I read last summer, even though the characters themselves have quite different personalities. What the reader gets here is a look into the life of a character who could live anywhere at any time making life long choices, some right, some wrong. The British author does get it right, however, in the telling of this provoking story.
Once again, I thank Liz, our Random House rep, who put the advanced reader’s copy of this little novel in my hands a few months ago. I’ll be recommending it to readers at Lemuria this summer, and I’ll probably choose it for book club when it comes out in paperback next year. A contemplative book it is. -Nan
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