The Song Collector Paperback – 24 Mar. 2016

I am so pleased that I have discovered Natasha Solomons as a writer , though nothing I have read of hers since has quite compared with The Song Collector . There was so many layers to the telling of this amazing story , which can be enjoyed on so many levels . The constant musical references really resonated for me and the journey, through his grandson of the protagonists coming to terms with his grief over the loss of his wife ..The way this story flows so seamlessly from decade to decade and the telling of the life of these three brothers , all so different , growing up with their hard nosed father and the fight to keep the families Estate afloat all merge into a beautifully written story , so easy to identify with. The overall theme of the power of Music captivated me .I notice Natasha Solomons has a new book available in December. It will be at the top of my gift list !!

Beautifully written descriptions of the Dorset countryside, and a fascinating take on the lives of a middle-class family of the 1920s-50. I was completely thrown by the surname the writer chose; I immediately thought the story was going to be about photography, following the Fox-Talbot family. Why not use a non-famous name?

It's the most enjoyable novel I've read for a long time - brilliant characterisation, interesting plot developments, lots of atmosphere and excellent style. The Dorset setting comes over strongly, which appeals to me as I lived in that county for over twenty years and loved it, and the musical subject matter appeals too to me as so much of it refers to folk music, one of my main enthusiasms. But it's so well written and intrinsically interesting that I'm sure that it would appeal equally to a tone-deaf reader who's never been more than five miles from central Birmingham. I'm recommending it to all my book-loving friends and have already had several enthusiastic responses.

Anyone who likes music would enjoy this book. A lovely warm love story compassionately and sympathetically written. A very enjoyable read.

This is a beautifully written book - the best I have read this year. There are so many aspects which took my breath away: the description of a crumbling English country house after the Second World War, still majestic and rooted to its soil and its seasons; a glimpse into English folk-song and the collectors who worked to preserve it; the importance of music in our lives and how a shared passion can bring us suddenly to life. And at the book's heart is an unsurpassable love story, entirely convincing and perfectly timed. The Song Collector is a hugely enjoyable read and a great book. A rare combination and if you're thinking of buying it, you must. You will love it.

I love all of Natasha Solomons' books, but this is definitely my favourite since her debut "Mr Rosenblum's List". The author conjures up a magical image of the Dorset countryside, its customs, and - most importantly - its music. The book's language flows as beautifully and sensuously as the music it describes. The characters are vivid and compelling; I particularly loved the scenes describing Fox and his grandson Robin. The "big house" Hartgrove Hall is a real character in its own right. I really didn't want the book to end and felt like one of the child characters, who cries: "One more song!"

This is a very gentle, graceful, slow-paced read illuminated by Solomons' trademark empathy, and lit with wit and humour despite the grief of the main character for his dead wife.We flit, as has become almost boringly de rigeur in contemporary novels, between 'now' when Fox is old and cantankerous and grieving, and 'then' when he was 18 and his older brothers returned from the war in 1946. In between we see his development as a composer, and his love for Edie.Solomons writes very well about music, the way it provides a foundation for Fox and a way of navigating his close relationships: with his wife in the past, with his talented grandson in the present.And yet, for all the good stuff, I sadly never really warmed to Fox, either his narrative voice or his story. Plenty of people have loved this - for me Solomons has never quite matched her wonderful The Novel In The Viola. This is a good book - compassionate, humane, warm and lightly humorous - just sadly not for me.Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley

A favourite local author for me. Saving this to take on holiday. Can't wait to get started. Arrived promptly and in good condition.

Eigentlich habe ich das Buch sehr gerne gelesen, wie auch alle anderen Bücher der Autorin, die Beschreibung der Musik ist toll und sehr nachvollziehbar, die Sprünge zwischen den Zeiten interessant. Dennoch hat mir irgendwie etwas gefehlt, vielleicht weil Edie zu vage dargestellt war, auch fand ich den Klappentext nur marginal passend. Die langsame Gangart hat mich nicht gestört, dennoch bleibt ein Gefühl des Unfertigen, deshalb nur 4.5 Sterne.

What’s not to like about this fabulous novel. The language is sublime, descriptions are both evocative and humorous, the plot believable and charming. This is my favourite read for quite a few years.

A beautifully written story. Very moving.

Really lovely story over a couple of generations with tales and tribulations. Gentle pace with enough action to turn the page.

The Song Collector by Natasha Solomons is a very well written book.It is a story of a family coming to terms with life after WW2.The characters are well drawn and there is very good sense of place and time.If you are into classical music you would get a lot out of this book.