The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
What's It About?
“Utterly original and downright gripping, The Violin Conspiracy is more than a mystery — it’s an unflinching peek into the heart and soul of a gifted Black violinist striving to pursue his passion in the face of adversity. Brendan Slocumb’s debut is an essential lesson in artistry, prejudice, and persistence.” — Zakiya Dalila Harris, NYT bestselling author of The Other Black GirlI could not put this one down! In Brendan Slocumb‘s The Violin Conspiracy (Anchor Books), Ray McMillan is a young, talented Black musician with dreams of becoming a professional violinist. As circumstances have it, he is faced with so many obstacles; the odds are against him. Ray’s mom thinks he is wasting his time with music and wants him to get a menial job to help pay the bills. He cannot afford to buy an instrument, so he is limited to what they provide at school with no access during vacation time. The continual micro-aggressions and blatant racism Ray faces don’t help, yet he continues to pursue his dream.
It is important to have that one person in your life who believes in you and cheers you on, and that person, for Ray, is his grandmother. She loves to hear him play, encourages him to follow his dreams, and gives him her grandfather’s old violin that was stored in the attic — an instrument the man played to keep himself alive and safe when he was a slave. Ray treasures this beat-up, old violin for its beautiful sound and all the history it represents. Once he learns its origin and its incredible financial value, everyone seems to come out of the woodwork to claim it. When the coveted violin is stolen, the thief could be anyone!
Slocumb immerses us in the world of classical music, high-profile performance and competition with all its beauty and darkness at once. I was engrossed in the story of a young Black musician striving for his goals despite pushback, and a mystery to boot. The Violin Conspiracy hit the spot for me!
