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Debussy's Slippers
- Narrated by: Jack Wynters
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
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Debussy's Slippers
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Summary
George Gershwin thinks he could do better, better than Broadway.
Ira Gershwin disagrees, why get funny ideas about writing po-faced piano concertos that no one hears, when you’re already getting much respect and much money (and much female attention) from writing hit shows? But what George wants George gets, and soon the brothers are travelling to Europe to meet French maestro Maurice Ravel - you know, a real composer.
Despite dreading this American invasion on his artistic privacy, the haughty Ravel warms to George, the two men share musical ideas and beaucoup du vin. It all turns sour when George returns to New York, unintentionally carrying in his luggage Ravel’s most treasured possession: a pair of slippers that belonged to Ravel’s musical forefather, the French national hero - Claude Debussy.
Now, Debussy’s slippers may reek, they may look slightly ridiculous, but their inspirational power is undeniable. Once George feels their effect, he’s loath to return them, and sets about stalling an increasingly irate Ravel. Things come to a head when Ravel unexpectedly returns Gershwin’s visit.
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What listeners say about Debussy's Slippers
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- S. Kennard
- 18-04-22
Overall, 3 stars
Overall, I am aware this book was not for me. I can see what the author was trying to do and I can feel the time and energy they put into the book. I would recommend this audio book as a slow burner for those looking to relax while they perhaps take on another activity. I would describe it as the ‘classic FM’ of the radio.
Things I enjoyed:
Overall, I liked the way the characters within the story developed. The story began to draw me in around chapter 8 as the relationships between them started to pick up a little pace and appeared to have more purpose. The pull between Gershwin and Ravel also draws you in a little more at this point.
I could clearly feel what the writer was trying to do and the style in which he was trying to write. This came across in the historical setting and language of the characters.
Things that were not for me:
I felt the book had a very specific audience when it came to the musical references in the story. It relied upon you being familiar with the musicians and the meticulous detail it did provide didn’t always help to clarify but, in fact, complicated the storyline.
When describing this book to friends I found myself saying ‘it felt a little more like someone reading a play script and the stage directions than a story’. The speaker did a very good job of trying to differentiate between the characters but this was a challenging job and it took a little while for me to adjust (revisiting chapters 1 and 2). I think this was more to do with the writing style than the audio itself.
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