Type
Genre

Title
The Other La Bohème
By
Yorker Keith (Author)

Stats
354 Pages
Summary
"A superb rendition of the classic adage that life imitates art (and vice versa). The storyline of intertwining lives and loves, ambitions and friendships, is nothing short of operatic; the setting of high music provides an ideally fertile background to the dramatic events in the lives of the characters, who are invariably fascinating, relatable, and genuine; and the suspense—and there is plenty of it—leads up to the climactic performance that would determine our heroes’ future, delivering a wonderful conclusion—as realistic as if we were right there at the hall, watching the conductor as he “raised his baton high and gave the cue with full force, triggering the orchestra to play the majestic finale of the tragedy in fortissimo.” Bravo!" --Avraham Azrieli, The Columbia Review.

The Other La Bohème
Reviewed By: Avraham Azrieli
Avraham Azrieli's most recent novel is "Deborah Rising" (HarperColllins 2016), the story of the first woman to lead a nation in history. www.azrielibooks.com

The Other La Bohème by Yorker Keith is a novel about four school friends who share (and pursue) an all-encompassing aspiration to success as opera singers in New York City. The title is rooted in Puccini’s famous opera, which they had performed together in school and in the “Other La Bohème” (by Leoncavallo), which they are to perform together as the story begins, as well as in the novel’s underlying dramatic theme and its wonderful tapestry of artistic passions, creative struggles, and ultimate redemption.

The four friends, who are known artistically as the “Dolci Quattro,” are Jennifer (soprano), Stephanie (mezzo-soprano), Henry (tenor), and John (baritone). As the story begins, we share with them the excitement and tension of their coming, fateful performance. From there, the story develops richly and dramatically with their individual complex lives—broken hearts, family pressures, and the perennial performers’ twin maladies: perfectionism and self-doubts.

The Other La Bohème will be a love fest for opera aficionados, a natural fit, but no less enjoyable for readers who have never attended an opera. This is due to author Yorker Keith’s uncanny ability to introduce us to the world of opera with ease and accessibility, yet without sacrificing depth and authenticity. Readers will understand the characters’ dilemmas and choices, embrace their vulnerabilities and strengths, and relate to their emotional conflicts with an intimacy befitting fellow music lovers. For example, here is Jennifer, whose real-life love is in the midst of a painful crisis, yet:

“The aria streamed friskily like a waltz: Musette loves to sing; she loves to fall in love. Jennifer’s coloratura voice scurried on the sixteenth notes with precise agility. She sang a high G and A with vigor and ease. She pumped her diaphragm in time with the changing tempo. She sang with full expression, trusting the strength of her vocal cords. She wanted to emphasize Mimi’s sisterly love for Musette. She could do it all. She forgot everything else. … The singing made her happy. This was the pleasure of being an opera singer. Her gift was her life.”

In summary, The Other La Bohème by Yorker Keith is a superb rendition of the classic adage that life imitates art (and vice versa). The storyline of intertwining lives and loves, ambitions and friendships, is nothing short of operatic; the setting of high music provides an ideally fertile background to the dramatic events in the lives of the characters, who are invariably fascinating, relatable, and genuine; and the suspense—and there is plenty of it—leads up to the climactic performance that would determine our heroes’ future, delivering a wonderful conclusion—as realistic as if we were right there at the hall, watching the conductor as he “raised his baton high and gave the cue with full force, triggering the orchestra to play the majestic finale of the tragedy in fortissimo.” Bravo!