"Whose voice resonates throughout Serenade? Who speaks to us from the depths of cities, hills, forests and mountains? It is music that surfaces in a polyphony of voices and instruments telling the history of their origin. Unclassifiable in form, indescribable in content, Serenade holds the mystery of great literature. Prediction, memory, meditation...promise? An homage to five instruments transcribed into text: writing in search of its own significance. A mystical flow in which the word and its sheer presence is enough to feel and contemplate music."
Isaura Contreras
author of "Cosecha de verano"
author of "Cosecha de verano"
Serenade was written by Janet M. Izzo, and was published by Bric-a-Brac Press in 2024. A Described as a lyrical dreamlike poetic journey, the novel weaves together musical themes with the stepping-stones of life. To purchase Serenade, follow the link below:
The reviews are in...
"This is a beautiful gem of a book that had me captivated from the start, giving glimpses of the author's life and inner journey poetically rendered and anchored in the musical instruments that were a part of her journey from childhood to motherhood. Each story was a gem in itself and drew me on from beginning to end, much like a mystery, but written in a simple form that allowed for the images and feelings to surface without pretension. I will keep it at my bedside to reach for now and again."
Christopher Agostino
*
"This book is a song and we are on the balcony listening, letting the sounds of the words and the images they conjure transport us. The writer is a multi instrumentalist and uses their instruments as portals to journey through time, across countries, and into deep life experiences. I read this book in small bits, like a long poem, just taking time to enjoy the mood and melody. I look forward to rereading it when the time is right!"
Paola K.
*
"Simultaneously serene and stirring. Small stories told as reflections upon musical instruments, revealing history, relationships, journeys taken and lessons learned. More like an extended prose poem, because of the attention to language and imagery. A lovely journey in itself."
Nicholas Izzo
*
"The phases of a lifetime represented by a series or relationships with musical instruments. A story sewn together with musical thread. Here is a poet's voice emerging from stillness, steeped in self-awareness. There are revelations punctuated by hints of mysteries and secrets. As it happens, the author and I share many of our musical touchstones: Pete Seger's '5-String Banjo', B.B. King's 'Live at the Regal' (the first record I ever owned), Coltrane's 'Giant Steps', and, of course, the magic spells of Jaco Pastorius. There are memorable phrases, too numerous to mention. Just one: 'Our love deepens as tea leaves brew, steeping a darkly fragrant force....'"
David Barbour