Beautiful Music

A Novel

Danny Yzemski is a husky, pop-radio-loving loner balancing a dysfunctional home life with the sudden harsh realities of freshman year at a high school marked by racial turbulence. He finds refuge through bonding sessions with his father - listening to records on their brand new hi-fi and taking in his advice on dealing with bullies and driving a car with authority.

But when Danny's father passes away suddenly, he's left alone to deal with his mother, a fragile woman who's angry at the loss of her husband and the increasingly seismic cultural shifts in the world. As she soldiers on with the help of Librium, highballs, and breakfast cereal, Danny soon realizes that, between his tormentors at school and toxic dinners at home, he needs to be more determined than ever to persevere.

When he discovers rock music and, in particular, the drum and guitar-heavy songs of Michigan legends like The MC5 and Iggy Pop, he finds his reason to carry on and gains a new identity at school.

©2018 Michael Zadoorian (P)2018 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Very good read, nice story, realistic

I am the narrator's (MC's) age, so I really felt a connection, plus I, too, always let music run my life...and music is all around me, always. My father died when I was 7. My brother was Danny's age. So this book hit home, but in a nice way. Well characterized, not just the people but the era and the beliefs. Pace is great, and I adored the humor. The descriptions of the kid interactions and school were sort of Capt Underpants for young adults/adults in a good way. Really sweet message.

expected more

loved hearing about my alma mater "Redford. High" and the area i was raised in❤ Sad story with no really good happy ending, wanted to learn of his journey into middle age at least? and of his mothers sobriety or not . too many unanswered questions