Reviews
Advance praise for The Music Shop "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for the novels of Rachel Joyce The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry "Joyce's beguiling debut is [a] modest-seeming story of 'ordinary' English lives that enthralls and moves you as it unfolds." -- People (four stars) "[A] gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation." -- O: The Oprah Magazine The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy "A beautiful story which will grip you, make you laugh and cry, uplift your spirit and leave you feeling profoundly grateful and changed by the reading experience." -- Daily Mail "Touching . . . [a] quiet, gentle, moving novel." -- The Observer Perfect "If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce. . . . [The character] Diana herself is faultless . . . a fully rounded hero, someone to fall in love with." --The Telegraph "A poignant and powerful book, rich with empathy and charged with beautiful, atmospheric writing." --Tana French, Advance praise for The Music Shop "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for the novels of Rachel Joyce The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry "Joyce's beguiling debut is [a] modest-seeming story of 'ordinary' English lives that enthralls and moves you as it unfolds." -- People (four stars) "[A] gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation." -- O: The Oprah Magazine The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy "A beautiful story which will grip you, make you laugh and cry, uplift your spirit and leave you feeling profoundly grateful and changed by the reading experience." -- Daily Mail "Touching . . . [a] quiet, gentle, moving novel." -- The Observer Perfect "If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce. . . . [The character] Diana herself is faultless . . . a fully rounded hero, someone to fall in love with." --The Telegraph "A poignant and powerful book, rich with empathy and charged with beautiful, atmospheric writing." --Tana French, "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce's detailed knowledge of--and passion for--music." -- The Guardian "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun "In [Joyce's] hands, ordinary lives are given dignity and triumph. She is a champion of humanity, and The Music Shop is no exception. It is a joyous love song that pulses with hope and benevolence and laughter." --Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit "Warmhearted, unusual and romantic, Rachel Joyce evokes the emotional power of your favorite record while underlining the importance of that forever-threatened little shop down a side street where music happens. . . . Joyce's gift is in using simple language to convey profound observations on human nature." -- The Times "Joyce's charm and good-heartedness remain undiminished, as does her ability to create a highly appealing, semi-magical world . . . and to make us root for her characters all the way." -- The Daily Telegraph, Praise for Rachel Joyce The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry "Joyce's beguiling debut is [a] modest-seeming story of 'ordinary' English lives that enthralls and moves you as it unfolds." -- People (four stars) "[A] gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation." -- O: The Oprah Magazine The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy "A beautiful story which will grip you, make you laugh and cry, uplift your spirit and leave you feeling profoundly grateful and changed by the reading experience." -- Daily Mail "Touching . . . [a] quiet, gentle, moving novel." -- The Observer Perfect "If only there were more novelists like Rachel Joyce. . . . [The character] Diana herself is faultless . . . a fully rounded hero, someone to fall in love with." --The Telegraph "A poignant and powerful book, rich with empathy and charged with beautiful, atmospheric writing." --Tana French, "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "Rachel Joyce has established a reputation for novels that celebrate the dignity and courage of ordinary people and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . But what really elevates The Music Shop is Joyce's detailed knowledge of--and passion for--music." -- The Guardian "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun "In [Joyce's] hands, ordinary lives are given dignity and triumph. She is a champion of humanity, and The Music Shop is no exception. It is a joyous love song that pulses with hope and benevolence and laughter." --Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit "Warmhearted, unusual and romantic . . . Joyce's gift is in using simple language to convey profound observations on human nature." --The Times "Joyce's charm and good-heartedness remain undiminished, as does her ability to create a highly appealing, semi-magical world . . . and to make us root for her characters all the way." -- The Daily Telegraph, " The Music Shop is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key. . . . [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance--'a ballooning of happiness.' Joyce's understated humor . . . offers something like the pleasure of A. A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that's never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that's never simplistic. . . . I wouldn't change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!" --Ron Charles, The Washington Post "Rachel Joyce's charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change. . . . Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page." -- The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . Joyce's novel is intellectually and emotionally satisfying on every possible level. If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this is 2018's first must-read, and it will be without question one of the year's best." -- BookPage , Top Pick in Fiction, January 2018 "Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. . . . This is a touching, sometimes funny book about surviving change, the power of music and the importance of having a community--wacky or not. As with all of Joyce's books, it will surprise you." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun "In [Joyce's] hands, ordinary lives are given dignity and triumph. She is a champion of humanity, and The Music Shop is no exception. It is a joyous love song that pulses with hope and benevolence and laughter." --Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit "Joyce's charm and good-heartedness remain undiminished, as does her ability to create a highly appealing, semi-magical world . . . and to make us root for her characters all the way." -- The Daily Telegraph, " The Music Shop is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key. . . . [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance--'a ballooning of happiness.' Joyce's understated humor . . . offers something like the pleasure of A. A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that's never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that's never simplistic. . . . I wouldn't change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!" --Ron Charles, The Washington Post "Rachel Joyce's charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change. . . . Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page." -- The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . Joyce's novel is intellectually and emotionally satisfying on every possible level. If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this is 2018's first must-read, and it will be without question one of the year's best." -- BookPage "An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story. Vinyl fans, hold on to your turntables--Joyce's latest is a buoyant homage to the healing power of music well-played." -- People "Inspiring . . . The Music Shop is a warm, familiar place where everybody knows your name." --Associated Press "While this tale is easily the most charming novel you will read this year, it is also one of the most profound. . . . The Music Shop is a life-affirming novel that depicts human beings at their best." -- Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun, " The Music Shop is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key. . . . [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance--'a ballooning of happiness.' Joyce's understated humor . . . offers something like the pleasure of A. A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that's never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that's never simplistic. . . . I wouldn't change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!" --Ron Charles, The Washington Post "Rachel Joyce's charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change. . . . Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page." -- The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this [novel] will be without question one of the year's best." -- BookPage (Top Pick in Fiction) "An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story. Vinyl fans, hold on to your turntables--Joyce's latest is a buoyant homage to the healing power of music well-played." -- People "Joyce has a knack for quickly sketching characters in a way that makes them stick. [ The Music Shop ] will surprise you." --Minneapolis Star Tribune "Inspiring . . . The Music Shop is a warm, familiar place where everybody knows your name." --Associated Press "While this tale is easily the most charming novel you will read this year, it is also one of the most profound. . . . The Music Shop is a life-affirming novel that depicts human beings at their best." -- Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun, " The Music Shop is an unabashedly sentimental tribute to the healing power of great songs, and Joyce is hip to greatness in any key. . . . [The novel] captures the sheer, transformative joy of romance--'a ballooning of happiness.' Joyce's understated humor . . . offers something like the pleasure of A. A. Milne for adults. She has a kind of sweetness that's never saccharine, a kind of simplicity that's never simplistic. . . . I wouldn't change a single note. Rachel Joyce, if music be the food of love, write on!" --Ron Charles, The Washington Post "Rachel Joyce's charming and deceptively simple fourth novel chronicles an offbeat love story between a mystery woman and an ardent, if lonely, collector and gently explores the power of memory and music and the certainty of change. . . . Love, friendship, and especially the healing powers of music all rise together into a triumphant crescendo. . . . This lovely novel is as satisfying and enlightening as the music that suffuses its every page." -- The Boston Globe "Magnificent . . . Joyce's novel is intellectually and emotionally satisfying on every possible level. If you love words, if you love music, if you love love, this is 2018's first must-read, and it will be without question one of the year's best." -- BookPage , Top Pick in Fiction, January 2018 "An unforgettable story of music, loss and hope. Fans of High Fidelity, meet your next quirky love story. Vinyl fans, hold on to your turntables--Joyce's latest is a buoyant homage to the healing power of music well-played." -- People "Magical . . . Joyce has a winner in this deceptively simple love story. . . . Joyce's odes to music . . . and the notion that the perfect song can transform one's life make this novel a triumph." -- Publishers Weekly "Whether on foot, as in her novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry , or track by track, on this unlikely musical odyssey, Joyce excels in enveloping readers in epic journeys of lost connections and loving reunions." -- Booklist "Joyce sets up a charming cast of characters, and her spirals into the sonic landscapes of brilliant musicians are delightful, casting a vivid backdrop for the quietly desperate romance between Frank and Ilse. From nocturnes to punk, this musical romance is ripe for filming." -- Kirkus Reviews "[A] beautiful ode to music, community and love." -- The Sun "In [Joyce's] hands, ordinary lives are given dignity and triumph. She is a champion of humanity, and The Music Shop is no exception. It is a joyous love song that pulses with hope and benevolence and laughter." --Sarah Winman, author of When God Was a Rabbit "Joyce's charm and good-heartedness remain undiminished, as does her ability to create a highly appealing, semi-magical world . . . and to make us root for her characters all the way." -- The Daily Telegraph
