Ruth Sims (1939–2014)

(No explicit spoilers, but spoilers regarding the general direction in which the story goes.)

That right there might just be my favorite book of all time. The passion evident in every scene--front the youthful, fiery, arrogance that pervaded the beginning of Dylan's youth and time with Laurence to the slow maturity and strength and pained losses that came and were endured by Dylan and Geoffrey, to their ultimate successes.

"'These pieces are extraordinary for one your age and with your show more limited training. I was but warning you of the difficulties ahead, for I can see by this music that you want to break rules and smash barriers.'
'I do indeed, Sir!'
'You must understand one thing: when one smashes barriers, one often breaks one's own hear in doing it.'
'I don't care about that.'
'Understandable. At your age, why should you?'"

I was lost in this book, lost in the tremendous love for music and love for another human being that overflowed from these pages. This had one of the two most emotional and tragic scenes that I have ever read and I cried the most I ever had while reading a story. At that most tragic scene my tears would not stop slipping down my face--I still get teary-eyed just thinking about it--and my eyes again dripped at the triumphant culmination of the story. I felt every moment keenly, loved the authenticity of the time and places and every emotion felt, saw how human and true each character was, and completely was entranced. I feel like I lived through each moment with Dylan, like I was there with him and Laurence, and later him and Geoffrey, and everyone else in their lives. It was the most amazing feeling, one I'll never forget and will strive to recapture. I feel like these people should be real, and I want to hear their music with my ears, not just my soul, as I have though out this book. I feel like all the emotions I felt must transfer into something more.

"My love. Emotion shook him as Laurence touched his face with trembling fingertips. My love. Love. So this was what love felt like--being willing to die for just one more touch, being willing to wait for the rest if need be."

Remembering the beginning scenes, no, the beginning half, and the differences between that and the second half or the ending of this book; not just the characters, but the whole tone, the situations, the scenes, everything grew up and changed, and yet was so closely linked to the earlier parts...oh it was incredible! All of it was! This review is more of a stream-of-consciousness process, of me reliving the scenes, than a proper review, but that is how much this book has scrambled my mind, given me everything I wanted and more. Horrified me and made me overjoyed; touched me and made me cry; made me hold my breath and then breathe out in awe; sickened and astonished me, then made me grin. Up and down, over and again. This was absolute mastery, and it took command of my soul. I will remember this journey, and cannot recommend this book highly enough. I hope everyone reads it just for the experience of being invaded and changed into a whole new being. It's magic, the way Dylan's and Geoffrey's music is to the people of this book.

"'Without you to play it, it's nothing but small black marks on paper. When I wrote, it was like a flood from my brain and my heart out through my fingers. Those marks are the sum of everything I feel for you! Every grand detache, every bariolage is yours. Every rest, every fermata, every time change, every notation, every bloody note is yours.'"

P.S. The writing was also so, so beautiful in itself. I highlighted the most sections I ever have from one book. Too many to list or write out, but I included a few of my favorites in here.

P.P.S. I've been thinking about it, and one reason I liked this so much was that Ms. Sims didn't use any of the tried and true (and tired) plot threads like cheating, jealousy, or gay bashing that would have been easy to use as a filler, but instead forged her own unique path for the story, which made it all the better for that choice. Also, I feel like I almost don't want to read another story right now out of respect for this one. I'm not sure if any will live up to this one, and I have this playing on a loop in my head, and I don't want to taint that :) Oh well, I must take each story on its own merit I suppose! show less

I had the honor of being a beta reader for this novel, and ever since then I have been eagerly anticipating its publication so I could read it again. Though I truly enjoyed Sims' previous novel, "The Phoenix," I have to say that Counterpoint is even better. This is brilliant historical fiction with two love stories at the heart of it.

Dylan Rutledge has a gift for music, and nothing but disdain for traditional schooling that keeps him from it. At the Bede School, only Master Laurence show more Northcliff can see Dylan's potential. What he cannot see is that Dylan loves him. Dylan will lose everything in pursuit of his dream: his family, security, even true love. As he struggles to make his place in the world, he crosses paths with another musical genius who could be the salvation of both his heart, and his music. Geoffrey is a gifted violinist, apprenticed to a master musician. His life is torn apart when his master dies; and Dylan must find a way to save Geoffrey, and himself.

The historical setting is very well done, with lots of details to put a reader in the time, but it is the characters that make this book come alive. Dylan's passion for his music is so intense, a reader cannot help but be pulled in. I wanted Dylan to find success. But, this is not a simple romance with some angst and an HEA. Readers follow Dylan as his life unravels - through his first experiments with sex, his confrontations with his father, his consuming need to compose, his first true love, the pain of loss and finally redemption. Though Dylan is the focus, many secondary characters are also fully developed. Dylan eventually finds a patron, and she is pivotal in weaving some of the threads back together. And then there is Geoffrey, who is Rom (Romany, Gypsy). It is easy to see how these two could connect. Both feel like outsides; Geoffrey because of his heritage, Dylan because he refuses the traditional path of a young gentleman. But, they are also sustained by their music. Theirs is a beautiful romance, fiery at one moment, tender the next. They are so very real.

Overall, this is a fantastic read that I cannot recommend enough. I also have to say, the cover art is gorgeous! show less

Beautiful new edition!

The Phoenix easily gives Romeo and Juliet a run for it's money! I am a huge fan of Shakespeare, as is the author if her (Kit's!) enthusiasm within the story is any indication. Yet, Sims' forbidden love between two men is more poignant. It resonates through our society, where such love is attacked as strongly now as it was when this story was set.

I will not rehash the plot, as other reviewers have already done so. But, I will say Ruth Sims is an exceptional writer whose show more work should not be missed. If you are looking for erotica, or M/M romance, this may not be for you. There is sex, but it's not explicit. And, Phoenix does not have the contrived "happily ever after" ending that many romances have (which I also enjoy, and am not knocking here). If you ARE looking for a deeply felt, well-written novel of true love, then buy this book now. Nico and Kit love each other, but their lives, society, and their own insecurities get in the way time and again. Until, finally, they realize that one simply cannot live without the other. While our two heroes do end up together, it is only after much loss and pain, just as in real life. A bittersweet ending, but still sweet.

This novel should be enjoyed by historical fiction fans, as well as M/M fiction fans. Even those who do not agree with the M/M lifestyle can appreciate the magic in the story and Sims' prose. The reviewer who quoted Kit, forgot one line (or it has changed in this revised edition):

Without the sanction of Sociey
Without the sanction of the Church
Without the sanction of God,
Without the sanction even of yourself
I love you.

Obviously, these words have touched a lot of people (me included). How else to explain so many reviewers quoting them here? And, the cover art is beautiful. show less

The Phoenix easily gives Romeo and Juliet a run for it's money! I am a huge fan of Shakespeare, as is the author if her (Kit's!) enthusiasm within the story is any indication. Yet, Sims' forbidden love between two men is more poignant. It resonates through our society, where such love is attacked as strongly now as it was when this story was set.

I will not rehash the plot, as other reviewers have already done so. But, I will say Ruth Sims is an exceptional writer whose work should not be show more missed. If you are looking for erotica, or M/M romance, this may not be for you. There is sex, but it's not explicit. And, Phoenix does not have the contrived "happily ever after" ending that many romances have (which I also enjoy, and am not knocking here). If you ARE looking for a deeply felt, well-written novel of true love, then buy this book now. Nico and Kit love each other, but their lives, society, and their own insecurities get in the way time and again. Until, finally, they realize that one simply cannot live without the other. While our two heroes do end up together, it is only after much loss and pain, just as in real life. A bittersweet ending, but still sweet.

This novel should be enjoyed by historical fiction fans, as well as M/M fiction fans. Even those who do not agree with the M/M lifestyle can appreciate the magic in the story and Sims' prose. The reviewer who quoted Kit, forgot one line (or it has changed in this revised edition):

Without the sanction of Sociey
Without the sanction of the Church
Without the sanction of God,
Without the sanction even of yourself
I love you.

Obviously, these words have touched a lot of people (me included). How else to explain so many reviewers quoting them here? And, the cover art is beautiful. show less