The Music Shop

A Novel

By: Rachel Joyce

Narrated by: Steven Hartley

“An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story.”—People

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE TIMES (UK) AND THE WASHINGTON POST

It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop’s owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people’s needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music—and love—in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction.

Praise for The Music Shop

“Captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance.”—The Washington Post

“Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page.”—The Boston Globe

“Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this [novel] will be without question one of the year’s best.”—BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction)

“Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. [The Music Shop] will surprise you.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce’s detailed knowledge of—and passion for—music.”—The Guardian

An Ode to Living Music

This book was pretty far outside my comfort level of angst...so many awful things happen and when something good starts the characters always make poor choices! But each character was so well drawn and their stories so believable I was in agony as I had to listen to the last 90 minutes 15 minutes at a time!!! I finally put it on speaker as I was feeding my grandson breakfast in his high chair because I do wanted to see what happened to them!!
Great idea and great characters...pretty good narration except he didnt understand the Hallelujah Chorus so it took away from that scene...in a book about music having unbelievably powerful magic that made a difference! I REALLY liked this story a lot...I would say 4.5s if I could...but 5 stars are stories I listen to a second time with my husband and I dont know if I can handle all the angst a second time!

Music Heals and Unites

What a gem of both text and narration. Wonderful characters seeking human companionship and community in their tiny strip of London. Rachel Joyce is a beautiful writer.

So original

I wasn't sure at first but as soon as it started I was hooked. Wonderful story, fun characters, awesome narrator!

Loved this Book!

I couldn’t put it down (or I should say I couldn’t turn tun it off)! The characters were so real, I felt I knew them. I could visualize Unity Street and its stores, shopkeepers and residents. I didn’t want it to end. How about a sequel??

Very Unusual Love Story

At times this book was difficult for me to get through.
That being said, it was an unusual love story with a happy ending.
What I took away was that true love never dies and love in its many varied forms conquers all.