Sight Reading    by Daphne Kalotay Order:  USA  Can Harper, 2013 (2013) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Booklist called Sight Reading by Daphne Kalotay 'A fictive musical and familial feast' in a starred review. Maybe not my terminology, but certainly my opinion. I, who don't know a treble note from a clef, fell in love with this new work. A musician would become enamored instantly, from the first page on. Hazel was once married to Nicholas. Nicholas Elko is a composer striving for an international reputation. Remy is a talented violinist aiming to become first chair in the Boston symphony. Nicholas and Hazel have a baby girl – Jessie. We are treated to their family life as well as that of their friends. The story begins in 1987 and follows them through to 2007. We all have problems within our relationships as do the Elkos. We don't share our problems with the world but Hazel and Nicholas are forced to by the story told by Kalotay. We suffer with Hazel. We try to understand Nicholas who truly seems to have no clue about what is going on around him. We talk to Remy and try to stop what we see is going to happen. We're surprised when we find ourselves sympathetic to Remy. Yoni's plight seems unfair. Some people never get the breaks. During the whole of the time I spent reading this aptly written tale, I could imagine, in the background, the music that flows through it. Beautiful, melodic music that could transport one from one age to another. Kudos to the author of Russian Winter as well as this tender and moving novel. Don't miss Sight Reading. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews