For the letter “J” on the A to Z Challenge, the book is Jubilee Violin by Jenny Worstall. Jenny has been a guest author on my blog http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-dp and has also joined me on The Very British Blog Tour; http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-dQ I have previously read and reviewed another of Jenny’s books called “Make a Joyful Noise” which was beaten to the post in the race for the letter “M” in the challenge, but you can read my review of it here; http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-5F. The book also appears as one of my reviews in the April edition of Fleet Life.
EACH DAY on the challenge we bloggers are asking visitors to our sites to write a COMMENT as well as “like” our posts, please add your comment below, thanks.
‘J’ for Jubilee Violin. An inside word from Jenny;
http://amzn.to/Ln9bzo
Jubilee Violin is a collection of three short stories. The title story is based on the true story of a very generous lady violinist who could no longer play due to ill ness and so lent her violin to a young student. My daughter is the young student and she played the violin to the Queen as part of the Jubilee celebrations last summer (as a member of a well-known children’s orchestra).
Here is a review by one reader;
In this compilation of three short stories comprising about 3,000 words, author Jenny Worstall displays both her talent and her range: the collection is an eclectic one. Though the stories are brief, they ARE stories, as opposed to mere vignettes or “slices of life,” in that each story involves a protagonist with a clearly stated goal and a decision to make. In each, the protagonist’s decision comes with consequences…The title cut involves an aged violinist who must choose between holding on to her memories and “paying it forward.” In “Turning Point,” a wife and mother decides whether her job is worth the concomitant loss of quality time with her family. “Doll’s House” demonstrates the danger inherent in thinking evil-if perhaps justifiable-thoughts.
I have no hesitation in recommending JUBILEE VIOLIN, and I do so enthusiastically.
Here are 5 random links to other AtoZ blog Challengers;
http://dm-biggirlpanties.blogspot.ca/
http://tizzypotts.blogspot.co.uk/
This book sounds like a really cool read – how wonderful you have such a special connection to it! I am sure playing for the queen is a memory your daughter will never forget, but having a story titled for it, too – priceless! I’m an admitted Anglophile and really enjoyed taking a peek at your blog. Thank you so much for including me today in your five random links!
Best,
Jess Topper / Blogging on the Brink
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Ah! I can see the confusion, it’s Jenny’s daughter (the author) not mine! I’ve added a couple of words to the write up to explain. Thanks for your lovely comment.
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Thank you so much Rosie!
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Ah, I see – my apologies! I was probably guilty of reading a bit too fast, my eyes are crossing during this wonderfully huge blog hop! Thanks for clarifying.
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Thank you for the kind comments. Lovely to meet an anglophile! There is an extra twist to the story – the generous lady violinist who (in real life) lent my daughter a violin, sadly passed away last autumn and my daughter played ‘Meditation’ on the lady’s own violin at the funeral in central London, with yours truly accompanying her on the piano. I rarely write so much from real life (and a lot of the story is fictional, including names) but as you can imagine, playing for the Queen was a big event in our family!
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Wow! You must all have some great memories.
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What a poignant, touching footnote to the story!
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Fabulous post I have read Jubilee Violin as well as Jenny’s other fabulous short story collections, Infant Barbarian, Lemon and Lace and of course her brilliant novel Make a Joyful Noise. I would highly recommend them all.
Charlie
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Thank you and thank you again Charlie!
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Fabulous post I have read Jubilee Violin as well as Jenny’s other fabulous short story collections, Infant Barbarian, Lemon and Lace and of course her brilliant novel Make a Joyful Noise. I would highly recommend them all.
Charlie
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Agree with Charlie’s every word, Jenny’s stories both short and full length are favourites to curl up with and savour. Thank you for this post, and thank you Jenny for adding a little to the “Jubilee Violin” story, it brought tears to my eyes.
Julia x
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Thank you for your kind comments Julia!
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Thanks for stopping by Smurfin’ The Web earlier, I will catch up with your blo this evening when I have more time.
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THanks for stopping by my blog and thanks for adding Pepper Press to your random links!
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This collection of short stories sounds really interesting, thanks for sharing. You have a really nice blog- I love how your header image matches your name. Thanks very much for linking to my blog.
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thank you for your kind comment about my short stories! Rosie has a great blog and I agree with you about her beautiful rose picture – it always cheers me up when I see that in my twitter feed!
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Thanks everyone, it brings a smile to my face when I make people happy.
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Well you must smile a lot then Rosie!
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