In the final entry in Quaver’s exciting, surprising vagabond tour through early 20th century history, the piano prodigy Elly Robin, now a mother-to-be, at last finds some success in tracking down her parents. Armed with a clue from inside Mr. Hoppy, her beloved stuffed doll, Elly reaches the “fertile bottomland” of the Ohio town of Mayville in 1917, in search of her maternal grandparents. After some skillful manipulation, brilliant piano playing, and dismay at the treatment of German Americans during the era of the first World War, she finds acceptance, reconnecting with friends and her paternal grandfather. For a shot at entering a contest, the prize for which was a concerto appearance with the New York Philharmonic, Elly enrolls at a music academy, though even if she wins the U.S. might not be ready for “an unwed mother parading her condition before the world.”In prose that maintains the joyous sparkle of the previous books, Quaver ties up loose ends neatly, building a satisfying end to the mystery running through the whole series: whether Elly’s parents are alive or dead. Elly’s continued conviction that they may still be alive is moving, as is her heartwarming generosity towards her paternal grandfather, Ira Rabinowitz. As with the other books in the series, a colorful cast of characters populates the pages, and the narrative is richly allusive, touching on fascinating aspects of history and culture. There aren’t many new additions but Wanda Ballantine, Elly’s teacher and Hermes Lipchitz are fascinating.
Quaver invests a lot of attention to Little Elly and Elliot, Elly’s godchildren, telling the story sometimes from Little Elly’s perspective. Though nuanced and engaging, this slows down the pace considerably and does not add to the forward movement of the plot, coming off as mere filler. The author’s depiction of early feminist movements–especially through the invented Robinettes, who support Elly while sporting “hats and frocks of a ‘robin red-breast’ hue,” is heartening while showcasing what women, even if phenomenally talented like Elly and Wanda, were (and still largely are) up against. A satisfying conclusion to a highly entertaining series.
Takeaway: Winning final entry in a highly entertaining series of early 20th century historical novels.
Comparable Titles: Carol Edgarian’s Vera, Paul Yoon’s Run Me to Earth.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A-
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
