The Ensemble

This book was incredibly disappointing. I absolutely adore books about long lasting friendships that are focused around the characters and their struggles, but this book was a complete waste of money. First off, the characters didn’t appear to be friends at all. We were supposed to assume that they were, from prior events that were occasionally touched upon, but nothing that ever occurred in the story made me believe in actual friendship and connection. They genuinely seemed to hate each other; there was punching and heartbreak and nothing seemed like they were a family. Furthermore, the writing was treacherous to read. Every single page was full of long, drawn out inner musings and reflections instead of actual actions. If condensed, there were most likely only 20 pages of dialogue. There was no story, just mentions of events that passed and then so much inner turmoil about them. I expected to love this story, and instead it infuriated me that I fell victim to the large amount of good reviews, especially when my opinions usually mirror others. Rarely do I dislike a book that others love, and yet, here I am. I paid $18 for this book in hardback, please don’t make the same mistake. If you’re still curious, at least wait for it to come out in paperback.

Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but I ultimately went with 3 mostly because I think the overall reviews for this book are too high. I had seen the comparisons to The Interestings, which is one of my favorite books, but this fell short for me. The author is certainly talented and during some passages I felt as though things were coming to life before my eyes. Those portions were addicting and truly beautiful. However, other paragraphs were just so long and adjective-heavy that at times I lost track of what she was even discussing or describing; it felt like the author was in some secret contest to describe something in the most clunky, ridiculous, roundabout way possible. There was also too much detail about the music itself - I'm not familiar with chamber music, but I did study piano for a long time and have background on many of the composers and their styles. I think this problem would have been compounded for the average reader without any classical music background. Finally, I felt like the characters could have been a little bit deeper.I'd read another book by Aja, but only if it doesn't have to do with music.

The Ensemble is the perfect debut novel - unique and authentic. Author Aja Gabel brings her musical background to the forefront with the Van Ness Quartet - four musicians who meet, form friendships, struggle, and evolve together. Gabel was herself a musician, playing cello from childhood, so she brings experience with her in writing of these musicians, the music itself, and their emotional struggles.We meet the quartet in conservatory, and each have a role in conveying their story throughout the novel. Jana is first violin and the clear leader of the group; Brit, a pretty self-conscious orphan, is second violin; Daniel, who has the least natural talent, is the hardest working of the group on cello; and Henry on viola is the handsome, happy prodigy. Gabel provides vivid emotional narratives of her characters as they grow up together - through family and personal drama; reliance upon each other; distrust and envy; but always deeply intimate and intertwined.As the book progresses, her characters mature in different ways, and so does her writing it seems. Her characters’ revelations about themselves and those to whom they are so closely attached become more accurate realizations instead of idealizations, and each member provide an acceptance of other’s successes and flaws alike. They are a cohesive unit that will succeed or fail together, and their futures hinge on the collective mood.Gabel’s provided us with a different kind of story, and she skillfully succeeds with her first novel. I’m looking forward to seeing more from her.

I absolutely loved this novel. The characters who form this ad-hoc family are unforgettable and it's one of the most satisfying reads of recent years. There's a look into this crazy world of competitive music, but you don't have to know anything about music to read and enjoy the story. I couldn't put it down.

This was assigned reading for an MFA course paired with a scheduled (but covid-modified) author visit to our campus.Though it was assigned/required reading, I am thankful for it. This book is a wonderful example of character work in the novel form. Many novels struggle to flesh out and individualize a single character as well as Gabel is able to accomplish with all of these characters.Regarding the prevalence of the music and musicality, her personal experience in the art is evident. She writes about music in the way only a musician can. It isn’t heavy-handed or otherwise superfluous. She makes the foundational subject matter of the characters’ bond into an accessible world that offers something for everyone from the uninitiated to the lifelong musician.It’s a book worth reading.