Ravel

"Ravel" is a beguiling and original evocation of the last ten years in the life of the musical genius Ravel, written by novelist Jean Echenoz. The book opens in 1928 as Maurice Ravel--dandy, eccentric, curmudgeon--crosses the Atlantic abroad the luxury liner the "SS France" to begin his triumphant grand tour of the United States. A "master magician of the French novel" ("The Washington Post"), Echenoz captures the folly of the era as well as its genius, including Ravel's personal life--sartorially and socially splendid--as well as his most successful compositions from 1927 to 1937. Illuminated by flashes of Echenoz's characteristically sly humor, "Ravel" is a delightfully quirky portrait of a famous musician coping with the ups and downs of his illustrious career. It is also a beautifully written novel that's a deeply touching farewell to a dignified and lonely man going reluctantly into the night.