Sleeping with Schubert
by Bonnie Marson
List Price: $13.95
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0812968395
Publisher: Ballantine Books
It seems that the legendary composer Franz Schubert is alive --- well, sort of --- in the twenty-first century: His soul has taken up residence in the body of Brooklyn lawyer Liza Durbin. Even more astonishing, so has his prodigious gift. A mediocre pianist at best as a child, Liza can suddenly pound out concertos and compose masterly music out of the blue. But how can a brilliant male Austrian composer from the nineteenth century coexist in the everyday life of a modern American woman? And how can Liza explain what's happened to her without everyone thinking she's gone off the deep end?
Fortunately, the evidence is tangible, and Liza is soon brought into the esteemed halls of Juilliard under the tutelage of the revered --- and feared --- Greta Pretsky, a humorless woman whose only interest in Liza is her channeling of Schubert. Greta's greedy for her next big star, and the entire New York City press is whispering of Liza's brilliance as the public awaits her debut at Carnegie Hall. Even Liza's boyfriend, Patrick, seems more in love with her than ever.
Yet as Liza yields to Franz's great passion, her own life and identity threaten to elude her. Why was she chosen as the vessel for this musical genius --- and when, if ever, will he leave? Their entwined souls follow a path of ecstasy, peril, and surprise as they search for the final, liberating truth.
A strikingly original novel, Sleeping with Schubert plays on years of speculation regarding Franz Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony." Bonnie Marson's extraordinary imagination supposes that Schubert cannot truly die until the mystery is solved --- even if it means being resurrected in the body of a deceptively ordinary woman. Filled with drama and humor, this irresistible novel explores love, genius, and identity in ways that will engage and amaze readers.
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1. How did Liza and Franz's trans-dimensional relationship evolve from their meeting at Nordstrom to their parting?
2. What is the nature of genius? (How could Mozart write music at age five that we still listen to? Why didn't Picasso draw like a child until he grew old and chose to draw like a child?) Is it genetics, spirit, or something else?
3. What was Franz to Liza–gift, responsibility, burden, invader, guardian angel?
4. How would this story be different if Franz had inhabited a man?
5. What would Liza's experience have been like without her family, friends, and a small inheritance to sustain her?
6. Would you like to be inhabited by somebody famous? If yes, by whom? Do you believe in such possibilities?
7. Think about the reactions of Liza's friends/family/colleagues when they learned the truth. How would you respond if someone close to you made a similar claim?
8. Liza's best friend was a man. How do opposite-sex friendships compare to same-sex best friends?
9. How does Franz ultimately help or hurt Liza's relationship with Patrick and with friends and other family members?
10. Franz had a special fondness for Danny. How did they affect each other?
11. What will Liza be doing five years post-Franz? How about Danny, Mikki, Patrick, Cassie, Mom, Dad, Greta and the rest? Did life go back to normal? Is it better or worse?
12. Were you familiar with Franz Schubert's music before reading the book? Can you imagine the music played in the end?
13. What does music add to your life? If it were taken out of your life–in movies, at home, in elevators, cars, and the supermarket–how would you change?
14. Which scenes from Sleeping with Schubert will stay with you?
15. What is your hidden, or yet-to-be-explored talent?
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"Combining just the right amounts of love, lunacy, and lyricism, Bonnie Marson has given us an enchanting tale about genius and relationships sparked by the improbable convergence of a dead composer and a Brooklyn lawyer. This book is as original as they come. You will be captivated."
—Tawni O'Dell, author of Backroads
"A charmed and charming novel --- an imaginative joy ride with a gifted and generous spirit."
—Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love
"From the opening lines, Sleeping with Schubert is a hilarious, whimsical romp through the looking glass of a great musical mystery. The writing snaps, crackles, and pops with humor as Bonnie Marson makes Schubert a sexy, happening kind of guy who gives new meaning to our dreaming the impossible."
—Jonis Agee, author of The Weight of Dreams
