Before the birth of Chucky Cheese and all the other venues for children's birthday parties, the birthday party was held at home. We ate homemade food or pizza brought in from an actual pizzeria. I grew up in New York where the pizza was fantastic, none of this card board crap served at Chucky cheese. and we played games with prizes for the winners.
The most popular games were scavenger hunts, pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs. All of them were fun but musical chairs took the most skill and strategy.
I can't assume that everyone knows how musical chairs is played, so I will briefly explain the game. The game is all about elimination. A number of chairs are set up in a row. There are fewer chairs then players. Music is played and while it is playing participants walk around the chairs. When the music is abruptly stopped, players must scramble to find an empty chair. If you are not fortunate enough to land on an empty chair you are out and must watch from the sidelines. So you must be a good listener and quick on your feet.
My fascination with book titles once again led me to this book. The book is about musicians who met at Julliard and formed a trio. Two of the musicians, the pianist and the cello player have anchored the group for many years. The violin position has been replaced several times. Having raised a violinist I have first hand knowledge of the very delicate balance and chemistry that exists between the musicians. It is very disruptive when a musician leaves and a new one joins.
The book begins with the trio once again replacing their violinist. The trio has been around for a long time in musical years and having had to replace their violinist once again they have lost some of their mojo. They are weary of the metaphoric shuffling of chairs and take a summer break.
While the break was meant as a period of rest before they went back on the road, certain events take place and the two original members of the trio start questioning whether the trio should continue.
Will, the pianist, who has lived in his New York apartment is told his rent will be going up. When he visits Bridget in Connecticut, he meets a woman who he is instantly attracted to. Bridget, the cellist, anticipating a summer with her novelist boyfriend is disappointed when he breaks up with her over the phone. In addition ,Bridget's father a world renowned orchestral conductor announces he is remarrying which totally throws her off.
They are playing a game of musical chairs, with one chair missing and the both of them circling, waiting for the music to stop and then what. What will be their next move? Read more about this book.
