Sonata: A Memoir of Pain and the Piano

I wasn’t expecting to like this so much when I picked it up; I thought it would be interesting to read about Avery’s experience with rheumatoid arthritis and how she came to terms with managing this debilitating disease while also wanting to be a musician. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the raw, heartfelt emotions and brutally honest look at her life and her experience growing up.

Avery lays everything bare in this memoir: how much she enjoys and lives for music, her dreams of being a pianist, the horrifying way RA takes control of your body, how a chronic illness affects your mind, too. Nothing is glossed over, and it makes for an incredibly compelling read. She’s has a quick, dry wit and even though a lot of this book is show more tough to read about, it’s often also quite funny. I felt like I was invited to sit with her and learn about her life, and she entertained me with her stories.

I loved the framing of the writing by using the parts of a musical work; I thought that was quite clever. This book was beautifully paced and neatly told. Avery is clearly a talented writer, and I can only hope that she continues to write, because I would love to read another book by her.

I recommend this for anyone with an interest in memoirs; if you like music, you’ll also get a lot out of this, as Avery uses composers’ histories and stories to frame her own narrative. It’s well done and a treat to read.

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