A thousand perfect notes by C.G. Drews
![cover image](https://www.readplus.com.au/covers/athousandperfectnotes.jpg)
Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408349908
(Age: 13+) Recommended. The Maestro reigns in Beck's house in much
the same manner as Miss Trunchbull does in Roald Dahl's, Matilda.
An internationally acclaimed and now incapacitated pianist, the
physically imposing matriarch intimidates her son to strive to be a
concert pianist like herself. Beck doesn't rebel despite hours of
piano practice every minute that he is not at school. His hands ache
and so do any other body parts if he speaks up. But he cannot leave
Joey, his baby sister, whom he cares for almost entirely due to his
mother's neglect.
When his teacher pairs him up with August for an assignment, bit by
bit, the free spirited girl forces him to let her into his life. As
the friendship grows and as a date with destiny approaches in the
form of a possible internship with his famous Uncle Jan, his
dysfunctional home life is exposed. Sadly, as so often happens
outside of books, the characters are not galvanized to act until
someone gets really hurt.
A light romance on the one hand, but a very dark and we hope
anachronistic story of domestic violence. Unfortunately this may not
be the case and many abused children and teenagers may continue to
feel so isolated that they have no one to turn to. The role reversal
of the physically and verbally abusive mother figure highlights the
added shame for a powerless male victim. C.G. Drews infers that
women are not exempt from bad character, nor men from taking the
roles of victim or rescuer.
Natural dialogue and Beck's juxtaposed stream of consciousness helps
young adults to appreciate that neglect and oppression are problems
too serious to bear alone. Thank goodness for August and of course,
the villages and authors who give such characters life.
Deborah Robins