Barbara Hall (1) (1967–)

As a musician, I was drawn to the premise of this book--a violinist (Pearl) become music teacher who comes to know herself through her relationships with her students. The story of Hallie, the could-be prodigy, is both heart-wrenching and frustrating, and without being totally explicit, changes both the lives of both Hallie and Pearl. The character portrayals of the different musicians that work in the music store capture the "neuroses" that can inhabit the lives of musicians. I was curious show more about the constant references to church, God, the divine, that did not seem to have a basis in the narrator's (Pearl) life. Yes, she had attended church (which a friend encouraged her to use as a weekly momentary escape from real life), but I didn't see the connection to the religious insights throughout the book. That doesn't discount the fact that I found them worthy. Overall, a good read, especially for one who calls him- or herself a musician. show less

I have never played a musical instrument but as another reviewer stated, when reading this book I found myself envious of the abilities of Pearl the music teacher and her prize student, Hallie. The common thread in this book is the profound effect music and musical ability can have on a person's life sometimes not always positively. Some people listen to music occasionally, primarily as a background noise , but then there are people like Pearl who eat, breathe and sleep music . I almost get show more the feeling that there is a soundtrack playing along as she goes about her daily life. Everything in her life is determined by her love/hate relationship with her music.

I found the characters in the music store very well written. I would have liked to get to know Hallie better, for some reason I didn't relate to her as well. However the character of Pearl I loved. I found myself turning the pages anxious to find out what her life might become. I wanted more for her even when it always seemed she was willing to accept less. I would recommend this book for the story it tells and also for the opportunity to get to know Pearl. show less

After a longer wait than expected the advance copy of "The Music Teacher" finally arrived. At first I was so caught up in the plot development I couldn't wait for the next twist. I started to think it was the kind of book that would make a good movie (Hall writes/wrote for the television series "Judging Amy" after all), then I realized what made the novel such a compelling read was that most of what happens, happens inside of Pearl's head.

Here is a 40 year old divorcee who has a very show more limited social circle. She is still tied to her ex through her need for his financial help. She has only one girlfriend she rarely sees and meets the remainder of her social needs through attenuated contact with a set of odd characters who work with her at the sort of music store that played so well in the film "High Fidelity." Is it any wonder that a troubled student with incredible talent draws her in?

Hall is able to pull you in the same way. She begins with a story where nothing seems to be happening, at least on the surface. Before long you discover that all sorts of things are going on beneath the surface of a simply lived life. Circumstances cause Pearl to examine her own past, in looking at her student's present she gets a better handle on what makes her who she is. An awkward crush on one man evolves into an unexpected relationship with another. But best of all are her reveries on music and those who have genuine talent. It makes one envious to read her descriptions of the gifted few who can make a teacher's career.

Something about the writing style charms with its simplicity. I almost want to say it goes down as easily as a Young Adult novel, knowing Hall has also written those. But what it really does is disarm you while delivering a very adult message about love, and art, and the big questions that everyone must face somewhere down the road to maturity. show less

"I started playing the violin when I was ten," The Music Teacher’s 40-year-old narrator, Pearl Swain, writes. "Two years too late, I was eventually told, to become a great violinist."

Still, Pearl is a very good violinist, and after she suffers another dashed dream -- a divorce -- she begins to teach violin lessons at a small music shop that is staffed by an eclectic group of clerks and musicians. But Pearl's self-esteem is not even good, much less great, and when she encounters a new show more student -- a troubled prodigy named Hallie -- she must deal with the consequences of pursuing her ambitions through her student.

The novel's time management sometimes got a little muddy, and I anticipated (and wanted) more pages with Hallie. But Pearl's first-person narration captured me -- her gentle exploration of music, musicians, and instruments; of mentors, loneliness, and love. show less