"Wonderful Writing Style"

Bess is a child prodigy. She can play the piano like a dream and even gets a scholarship to Julliard. The only problem she has is severe stage fright - she faints when she has to perform in front of an audience. She comes from a working class family (her father is a fireman) and her two dear friends are Jake and Pauline. She has a tumultuous relationship with her father who does not approve of her love affair with the piano. She gets a chance to play with the popular David Montagnier when his usual partner retires and she is thrilled. She meets him; they practice duets together. Not only is she in love with the music, she is sure that she is also in love with the handsome Frenchman.

One reviewer, August Nardigger, writes unkind stories of David. It makes David angry and very upset. He thinks perhaps he is losing his edge. He has extreme ups and downs. He is the antithesis of Bess. They play their music all over the world until circumstances change and Bess has to find her own way.

HEART AND SOUL is written in first person. Sally Mandel has a great writing style. You have the feeling that she is speaking directly to the reader, her words and her thoughts. The writing is smooth and seamless. Bess is funny but serious about her great gift. She has a tattoo, her language is colorful and she has no hesitation about expressing herself. David is attracted to the funny side of her as well as her extraordinary talent. Her family has a difficult time realizing how important music is to their daughter. They are blue-collar people and proud of it. Her friends stick with her through thick and thin, happiness and sadness. HEART AND SOUL is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted March 5, 2002