The Song of Hartgrove Hall

Natasha Solomons really had me loving The Song of Hartgrove Hall (#537) right up to the point where Harry Fox-Talbot goes off to Florida searching for his long-lost brother, musical prodigy grandson in tow. The tone of the book went from lyrical descriptions of a decaying English Great House in post World War II England and the music that flowed from its present occupant, a song collector and composer/conductor to a one note parody of the Florida lifestyle.  I'll be the first to admit that comedians would soon run out of topical humor if they ran out of news from Florida, but this is not a satirical novel.  The contrast in writing styles was jarring enough to break the spell Ms. Solomons had cast.  That pause was enough to make me look more closely at the characters that populate this story and realize what a ghastly bunch they were.  I felt as betrayed as a reader as all of the characters in Hartgrove Hall's orbit had been by their friends and relations in oh-so-many ways throughout the plot.  If this hadn't been a Good Reads First Reads giveaway I would have stopped reading right there.

The Song of Hartgrove Hall is told in two alternating timelines: from the day the three Fox-Talbot brothers and their father, the General, arrive at Hartgrove Hall to take back possession of their ancestral home from the occupying forces of the British and Americans who have nearly destroyed it in the process.  Neighbors are demolishing their stately homes because they can no longer afford them, but Jack, George and Harry are determine to keep Hartgrove Hall running despite the General's decision to call in a demolition team.  The sons are given one year to make it a going concern.  Harry must give up his dream of a career in music, but much as he loves Hartgrove Hall he is no farmer.  The arrival of Edie Rose, Jack's girlfriend and a popular singer, changes everything.

In the intertwining timeline set almost fifty years in the future, we know that Harry and Edie are married with daughters and grandchildren.  He is now an elder statesman of the British music scene, and resident of Hartgrove Hall where a prestigious music festival takes place each year. The story tells us snippets of how that came to be, but it is not until near the end of the novel that we learn the unsavory story behind their outer success.  Even Harry will never know the complete truth about his own life.  It's not an edifying picture, nor one that I can find any sympathy for.  By modern mores I suppose that makes me a prude.  So be it.  I will consign this book to the trash heap.