A Good Read

The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce

London 1988, Frank owns a small indie music shop in a neighborhood struggling to survive in rapidly changing times. The shop is jam-packed with records of every speed, size and genre. Classical, jazz, pop, punk – as long as it’s vinyl Frank sells it. Some customers walk into the shop knowing exactly what they want, others arrive not knowing quite what they want, but know it when they hear it. Frank has a unique talent, day after day he finds his customers the music they need.  He is never wrong and wins the utmost respect of his clients, who have discovered artists and songs they never would have otherwise.

His shop could almost be a drop in counselling service, Frank knows personal stories of sadness and pain, of hope and joy, people trying to soothe their wounds and keep their memories alive. Helping people through music is what Frank regards as his mission. He is content and settled. 

Then into his life walks Ilse Brauchmann.

Ilse asks Frank to teach her about music. His instinct is to turn and run. And yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with her pea-green coat and her eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems. Initially, I thought there was going to be an element of magic about her. 

The other shops on the parade are owned by a mix of eccentrics and misfits, all from various walks of life, all a bit flawed and all with kind generous hearts. I particularly liked Father Anthony and Kit, Frank's endearing naive shop assistant.

Times are changing, vinyl is being replaced by CD's and Frank struggles to find suppliers. Developers are sniffing around eager to re-develop the area, and one by one the shop owners are reluctantly accepting that people are shopping elsewhere. How long can Frank hold out?

A delightful, enjoyable read.

∼ Be safe and well ∼ 

Polly x