Robert Elmer The Recital

The Recital

Robert Elmer

WaterBrook, Jun 2006, $12.99

ISBN: 140007164X

Widower farmer Gerrit Appledorn and New York Gaylord School of Music teacher and concert pianist Joan Marie Horton have fallen in love (see THE DUET) in his hometown of Van Dalen, Washington. They met when, to earn money while spending time with her pregnant daughter, Joan Marie fills in for piano teacher Linda Klopstra, who is in Romania for a year; his granddaughter is one of her students. They marry, but she has opportunities to teach piano in Chicago.

Gerrit is a farm boy all his life; the big city is not for him, but he also believes he must not stifle Joan's prospects in Chicago; in fact he feels he must encourage her. Will geographic differences end the loving relationship between the big city musician and the rural farmer or can they find a compromise?

The sequel to the virtuoso THE DUET, THE RECITAL is an intriguing realistic relationship drama that focuses on whether love is enough when the participants come from lifestyles that are 180 degrees apart. The issue centers on whether compromise means one or both give up their essence as consensus is out of reach. Fans of character studies with no love s will conquer all answer will appreciate Robert Elmer's deep look at opposites attract once the couple moves past the glamour.

Harriet Klausner