BOOK BRIEF

The Piano Teacher

Janice Y.K. Lee, Elfriede Jelinek
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The Piano Teacher

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2004

Book Brief

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Janice Y.K. Lee, Elfriede Jelinek

The Piano Teacher

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2004
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Hong Kong • 1950s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee follows the intersecting lives of Claire Pendleton, a piano instructor, and Will Truesdale, a British expatriate, in 1950s Hong Kong. Their past and present unravel amidst the backdrop of war and cultural upheaval, revealing complexities in love, identity, and survival.

Reviews & Readership

3.5

15,086 ratings

58%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee offers a captivating narrative set in 1950s Hong Kong, masterfully weaving a tale of love, betrayal, and the lasting impact of World War II. Critics praise its lush prose and compelling characters. Some, however, find the pacing uneven and the resolution lacking depth. Overall, it's a powerful and evocative read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Piano Teacher?

Readers who relish historical fiction with rich, layered storytelling, akin to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, will appreciate The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee. Ideal for those fascinated by wartime romances, complex characters, and the evocative setting of 1940s Hong Kong.

3.5

15,086 ratings

58%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Hong Kong • 1950s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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