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Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner by Steven Barron is a literary fiction novel of epic proportions that follows alongside, behind, and often out ahead of one Raymond Dover, an amnesiac, and member of the honorable profession of piano tuning.

The intelligence of wit and dry humor tickles this British heart…Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner is not a fast read, but it is a worthy one, and I’d give it a whole bucket of stars if I could.

READERS’ FAVORITE
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Reader’s Favorite

Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner by Steven Barron is a captivating novel that offers readers a unique and unorthodox reading experience. The story is engaging and entertaining from start to finish. The author’s outstanding grasp of literature is evident throughout the book, as is his ability to develop complex and relatable characters.

Mr. Barron’s writing style is unlike anything I have read before. Blended into this unique storyline are humor and pieces of historical information, giving this novel a distinct and unforgettable feel.

LITERARY TITAN

Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner by Steven Barron is more a story of a place as it is of the characters. The protagonist is Raymond Dover, who visits the small town of Bucksnort hoping to offer his services to a veteran's retirement home. But upon arrival, he suffers from a mysterious form of amnesia. After treatment, he stays for a while in the city. He recounts experiences and offers a mesmerizing portrait of a town where it is hard to grasp its soul. This novel is written in beguiling prose, and the narrative voice is powered by a quirkiness that reflects the quaint nature of the town. The scenes are perfectly written and focused, and an array of compelling characters are sculpted. Bucksnort is a vividly drawn and nuanced setting that feels like a character in its own right. Steven Barron's prose is dazzling and filled with details. He writes with confidence, filling the scenes with realism and exploring the inner worlds of the characters with unwonted clarity. This immersive tale is character-driven, but the author's ability to bring life to the setting and authenticity to the characters stands out. Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner is an evocative and spellbinding tale with scenes that will tug endlessly at the edges of the readers' hearts.
Cropped front cover of Madame Curie's Piano Tuner
THE BOOK COMENTARY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Reviewed by Cristina Prescott
Madame Curie's Piano Tuner blends historical fact with literary fancy and license and a wry, wicked sense of ironic humor in examining the life of newly licensed piano tuner Raymond Dover. It should be mentioned that Madame Curie's Piano Tuner is no light-hearted romp. Eight hundred pages of literary, social, and psychological inspection create a story that is challenging (in that it appears less than linear, from protagonist Ray's recollections and jumbled experiences); but is well worth the extra effort. For, hidden in the complex series of sometimes-lengthy descriptions and ponderings, this is a rich collection of thought-provoking nomadic journeys that injects its descriptors with reflective metaphors and scintillating symphonies of revelation.
Cropped front cover of Madame Curie's Piano Tuner
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWReviewed by D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
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—2023 Firebird Book Awards—First Place Winner in the Satire-Humor Category.

—2023 Firebird Book Awards—Second Place Winner in the New Fiction-First Time Published Category.

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—2023 LITERARY FICTION FINALIST.

Reviewed by Ephantus M for Readers Views (07/2023)

“Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner” is a captivating read by Steven Barron. Through a striking blend of historical realities with literary fancy, combined with an entertaining satirical tone, this work reveals the experiences of a newly licensed piano tuner.

Some years previously the main character, Raymond Dover, was treated to an abundance of affirmative testimonials from registered practitioners in the piano repair field. He would later go ahead to take a six-month home study course before getting confirmed as a Registered Piano Tuner. This new vocation would involve string replacement, remedying sticky keys, torquing loose tuning pins, replacing compacted hammer felt, executing touch-weight adjustments, and restoring impaired units’ optimal tonal ranges.

Unanticipated were odd uncertainties, diversions, and a worrisome trend that called for attention. Well-laid-out sabotage as well as outright theft would emerge as a darker and more pervasive disturbing side of the enterprise that he wasn’t prepared for, creating a situation awash with untold intricacies, complications, quandaries, worries, disputes, trials, and misfortunes. This all began when his dream of offering distinctive services to a veteran’s retirement home got halted by a perplexing amnesia attack. With beguiling prose and a charming narrative voice, he recounts unforgettable experiences in the vividly drawn town of Bucksnort.

“Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner” is author Steven Barron’s first published work. It is an enormous volume with a powerful start, poised illustrations, and vivid portrayals, as well as practical discussions with proportional tension and releases that compellingly drive the tale. The volume has a defined theme right for the title, as well as a well-constructed plot that keeps readers engaged and interested throughout the story. It also constitutes the author’s unique writing style and voice that shines through the novel, creating an authentic and immersive reading experience.

It’s often believed that the hallmark of effective writing is the ability to express the desired message in as few words as possible. Many readers may find “Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner” to comprise complex terminologies from the prologue to the epilogue, and those who read English as their second language may find it a difficult book to identify with easily. Nonetheless, “Madame Curie’s Piano Tuner” by Steven Barron is a deserving five-star novel, with a universal appeal that touches on themes and ideas that are relevant to people of all ages and backgrounds.