Ms. Dickinson's Purple & Gold Pick of the Week: The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

At the age of fourteen, Lucy Becks-Moreau was a rising superstar in the elite world of concert pianists. She was the talk of the concert circuit; everyone whispered that she was bound for great things. Then she just walked away, giving up her status as a musical prodigy--and losing the approval of her demanding grandfather and mother. Now, two years later, Lucy is readjusting to a normal high school life where she spends her time in classes and doing homework rather than practicing for hours with occasion breaks with hired tutors. She hasn't touched a piano since her dramatic exit from the concert circuit. Then her grandfather hires a new piano teacher for her younger brother. A former piano prodigy, Will is passionate and kind; Lucy's brother immediately adores him. And when Will recognizes Lucy's tentative interest in returning to the keys, he offers to help her begin playing again--while keeping her re-entrance to music hidden from her family. 

Sara Zarr strikes again with a rich, thoughtful, and compelling piece of realistic fiction. In this elegantly constructed novel, Zarr demonstrates her clear insight on creativity, passion, and growing up. Her characters, especially Lucy, are incredibly human--dynamic, flawed, and simultaneously sympathetic & frustrating. I especially appreciate Zarr's ability to reveal Lucy's growth without judgement; Lucy's emotions, choices, and actions are presented honestly and thoroughly--we understand Lucy's choices and are empathetic, even when we might be irritated or frustrated with them. Additionally, the relationships are so complex. There are no simple relationships here; as the characters note, "people are complicated" and so are their interactions & connections. From Lucy's conflicted relationship with her family, full of anger, misunderstanding, and love to her confusing friendship with Will, each relationship is fleshed out with realistic details.

The novel is also structured beautifully; the primary storyline is interspersed with very strategic vignettes of moment's in Lucy's past and these flashbacks fit into the narrative smoothly, each shedding light on current events in Lucy's journey.

While Lucy's journey to self-knowledge will be relatable to nearly any reader, her particular relationship with performance and creativity will hold special resonance for some readers. Anyone with a passion--whether it be artistic, athletic, or academic--will connect with Lucy's intense connection and love for her piano and will understand the conflict built into pursuing such a passion seriously without losing your purely personal enjoyment of it. 

So whether you're a fan of Sara Zarr's novels (including Sweethearts or How To Save A Life) or you're just looking for a fresh read with compelling characters and a great story, check out 

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

on display in the library's fiction section now!