Daphne Kalotay crafts narratives that delve into the intricate landscapes of human psychology and complex relationships. Her prose is characterized by meticulous language and a profound ability to access the inner lives of her characters, revealing their hidden desires and vulnerabilities. Kalotay skillfully explores themes of memory, identity, and the intricate connections between art and life. Her works offer readers a penetrating look into the human condition through compelling and intellectually rich storytelling.
Set against the backdrop of classical music, the story explores the intertwined lives of three colleagues and lovers, delving into their complex relationships and emotional struggles. The author, known for her compelling storytelling, weaves a narrative that captures the essence of passion and ambition within the artistic community, highlighting the tensions and connections that define their experiences.
Lyrical and evocative, Sight Reading by Daphne Kalotay is an intense, literary love story. When Hazel and Remy happen upon each other on a warm Boston spring day, their worlds immediately begin to spin. Remy, a gifted violinist, is married to composer Nicholas Elko, who was once the love of Hazel's life. Over the decades, each buried secrets, disappointments, and betrayals that now threaten to undermine their happiness. We follow the notes of their complicated, intertwined lives from 1987 to 2007, from Europe to America, and from conservatory life to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Sight Reading, from the author of the acclaimed debut novel Russian Winter, is an exploration of what makes a family, of the importance of art in daily life, and of the role of intuition in both the creative process and the evolution of the self.
Former Bolshoi ballerina Nina Revskaya auctions off her jewelry collection and becomes overwhelmed by memories of her homeland, the friends she left behind amidst Stalinist aggression, and the dark secret that brought her to a new life in Boston.