Why you should read Music and Freedom by Zoë Morrison
We’re delighted that Zoë Morrison’s debut novel is one of the six books shortlisted for this year’s Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction. Here’s why we think you should read this book.
1. Music and Freedom is a profound portrait of a woman’s life.
Music and Freedom follows one woman from early childhood through until her old age, and along the way it captures not just the personal story of a single person’s life, but touches on many universal themes – of ambition, talent, love, failure, violence, rage and hope. Alice is a compelling character, and even in her most frustrating moments, the reader will desperately want the best for her.
2. Zoë Morrison’s writing about classical music – listening to it, and playing it – is sublime.
Even those with little to no knowledge of classical music will be moved by the extraordinary way Morrison writes about music in this novel. There’s no doubt that Morrison herself is a musician, and her skill in pouring music into her words and having it almost playing off the page is one of the strongest parts of the book. It’s almost impossible to read this book and not want to then listen to classical pieces she references.
3. This is an emotional novel that will move you (possibly to tears).
Alice’s life is not easy, and the challenges she faces are often times brutal and deeply upsetting. There are several moments where a reader might find themselves in tears in grief and frustration for Alice, but this is also a book about hope, determination and survival, and will leave ultimately readers with a sense of satisfaction.
4. Music and Freedom is perfect for book clubs.
Music and Freedom is a fascinating story, and it presents many possible topics for book club discussions, from the novel’s ideas around success, ambition and talent, to its darker themes of violence, control and unhappy relationships. You can find reading group notes here.
5. This is a novel in the tradition of other great women writers – Elizabeth Jolley, Anna Goldsworthy, Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Strout.
Like many brilliant writers before her, Morrison is concerned with the life of women – their desires, frustrations, hopes, dreams. Like Anne Tyler, Morrison delves deeply into family relationships. Like Strout, she tackles the darker sides of life in quiet, careful ways. Like Jolley, she takes women – of all ages – seriously, and understands their resilience and power. Like Goldsworthy, she weaves music and ambition into her words.
