Hardcover | 380 pages | ISBN:1552780473
Year Published:1999 – McArthur & Co. | Tidewater Price: $29.95

Vikram Seth is best known for his recent novel about contemporary middle class Indian society entitled A Suitable Boy. In Equal Music he leaves India behind and writes, instead, about the trials and tribulations of the members of a British string quartet. The main character, Michael, is reunited with Julia, his first love, who is now, unfortunately, not only married but also appears to be going deaf. His relationship with the other members of the quartet is threatened by his obsession with Julia and his attempts to hide her disability. Michael is also facing the prospect of losing the use of his beloved violin, which he needs in order to earn his living and which he canít afford to replace. The novel follows Michael as he matures in the face of these challenges. Although it is a much shorter novel than A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth covers a lot of ground in this story. He deals with issues of conflicting fidelities, different types of love and the tragedy of a musician gradually losing the ability to hear. Readers with a musical background will appreciate the passages concerning the technicalities of making music. Those of us who are not musicians will enjoy an interesting story, well told.

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