If you like Gene Wilder's persona, you will really like this story. I 'read' the talking-book and Wilder read the story. This novella is a perfect extension of the actor.
The story takes place in 1903 when a concert violinist has a mental breakdown on stage. He's sent to an exclusive German sanitarium. Another of the patients there is Anton Chekhov (with consumption). Although the conversation seems light-hearted, the insights Wilder shares with the reader are important.
I had two problems with the story; Wilder seemed more like a scriptwriter. There was no lavish setup for a big scene; Wilder had the characters do what he wanted and then he moved on.
The other problem was the ending. I don't want to spoil the book but I thought the solution was too pat and very unlikely. That does not mean that I thought this novella was a waste of time -- actually, I thought it was great.
The story takes place in 1903 when a concert violinist has a mental breakdown on stage. He's sent to an exclusive German sanitarium. Another of the patients there is Anton Chekhov (with consumption). Although the conversation seems light-hearted, the insights Wilder shares with the reader are important.
I had two problems with the story; Wilder seemed more like a scriptwriter. There was no lavish setup for a big scene; Wilder had the characters do what he wanted and then he moved on.
The other problem was the ending. I don't want to spoil the book but I thought the solution was too pat and very unlikely. That does not mean that I thought this novella was a waste of time -- actually, I thought it was great.
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