ZARR, Sara. The Lucy Variations. 320p. Little, Brown. May 2013. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-316-20501-6; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-316-23201-2.
Gr 8 Up–When 16-year-old Lucy walked out of a concert in Prague two years earlier, following a devastating discovery, her grandfather and mother abandoned their dreams of her career as a pianist. With Lucy’s younger brother, Gus, now the rising star of the family, she must adjust to life as an average high school student. But the arrival of Will Devi, Gus’s new piano tutor, inspires Lucy to reexamine herself and challenge her family’s assumption that she lacks devotion to her craft. Though self-possessed and intelligent, Lucy is often an impulsive and uncertain protagonist, which makes her an at times frustrating but always realistic adolescent with whom readers will readily identify. Adult characters receive an equally rich treatment; Lucy’s cold, dominating grandfather in particular reveals a softer side that keeps him from verging on cliché. The novel’s measured plotting, which includes brief flashbacks to Lucy’s previous life, effectively conveys both the rigorous discipline and joy that defined her commitment to music. The quiet, restrained prose is well suited for this thoughtful story about the struggle to find one’s voice. Exploring relationships is where Zarr soars; in addition to Lucy’s difficult rapport with her overbearing mother and stern grandfather, she must also cope with Gus’s anger and jealousy as Will’s interest in her career grows, her increasingly strained friendships, and her complicated feelings for Will himself. This strong coming-of-age story about music, passion, and the search for identity will appeal to longtime fans of Zarr’s work and newcomers alike.–Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal
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