I love the English language and your wealth of language is exceptional. M v K. Bonn, Germany.
Cobbers and musk sticks! Both my wife and I read your novel and found it quite engaging. I enjoyed your musical motif and following the growing pains of an adolescent girl using the backdrop of a country town in the 1960’s. There were so many familiar childhood memories for me- from the compulsory Rawhide (Bonanza and Disney too), schoolyard antics and ‘the sheep’s back’, to the absolute freedom and innocence of the bicycle. I also loved the way you captured the variety of voices, mannerisms and expectations of the time through your characters.
I’m tutoring Yr 11 and Yr 12 students for the HSC in English. I feel your novel would perhaps be appropriate for girls in the Area of Study section where they explore a variety of texts associated with the topic ‘Belonging’ for Yr 12 and for Yr 11 one of my students is studying ‘Making Choices’ for her Area of Study.
A great read. G.McCoy, Valla, NSW
Your use of the language is delightful. A delicious little book. B.C. Nambucca, NSW
The Midnight Pianist is a delightfully realistic story – effortlessly in tune with the boy-crazed mind of a teenage girl. It is so wonderfully told through the eyes of a girl, young and in love, that I (and I am sure many others) felt myself falling for Nick. I am anxious to read what the future holds for both Sandra and Nick. I can’t wait for the next book! E.C. (17) Brisbane, QLD
I have just finished The Midnight pianist. It is a wonderful book, congratulations! It is very appealing to baby boomers. I will be lending and recommending it to everyone I know – it deserves recognition and publicity. C. Baxter, Darwin, NT
I loved your book. Your description of the funeral [procession] brought tears to my eyes. Keep writing! D.A. Canberra, ACT
I love it, I keep wanting to pick it up and read … I don’t want to come to the end! There has to be a sequel … hurry up on those polocrosse horses and finish the next book. H.F. Waitara, Sydney, NSW
… once you start it, it captures your interest and you have to keep reading to the end. I thought to myself, it is rather like a delicious dinner, which takes a whole day to prepare and then it is devoured by all in just a few minutes!
The theme of adolescent love and behaviour may be aimed at the younger reader, but I think we can all identify with those days when we harboured feelings very similar to Sandra’s … The book gives those of us who have never visited Australia a good insight into country and city life there and I was often surprised by the very English jargon! In short, I loved the book … Ann Dvorin, Tel Aviv, Israel
Charming account of growing up in Australian in the 1960s. Nostalgic glimpses of “old” Sydney, especially Rowe St, long gone! Reminder of the way we were and what it was like to be a “teenager” when that expression was new! The language is easy and flowing and I recommend the experience. C.S. Main Beach Qld, 2013
The Midnight Pianist really got me in. I enjoyed the way the protagonist slipped so easily between reality and her dream world. Felt I was right there with her. R.L. Five Dock, Sydney, NSW
What a delightful book, written with the teenager in mind, but mothers and grandmothers will find much between the pages to take them back to the time when they first ‘discovered’ boys. Older folk will recognise the names of towns, streets and shops of yesteryear during the days of Menzies as Prime Minister. A neat, nice, sad, and happy story written by Julia Osborne, painter of word pictures, taking us by the hand and placing us in the story, enabling us to see, feel, smell and touch it with our mind.’ R.C. Coffs Harbour, 2013
In 2012, my reader Matilda Sutherland, then aged 16 said: I was sad when I turned the last page and there wasn’t any more … I really liked it … I wanted to know what happened next …
Have you read The Midnight Pianist? Feel free to leave a comment here… or it would be lovely to see your thoughts on The Midnight Pianist’s own Facebook page. TMP is available via amazon.com but to leave a comment you need to have bought the book from amazon.
Loved Midnight Pianist. A charming story and excellent feel of country life in 1960. Julia has a way with words. Whilst aimed at teenage girls it is a lovely story for adults too – perhaps a reminder of our youth.
Celia
Thank you Celia, it seems to be the general opinion, which is lovely, as I had no idea it would have such universal appeal.
A very enjoyable read. I felt as though I was IN the book instead of just reading. Felt heartbroken, depressed and slight joy all at the same time. I can’t wait to hear what happens next in the story.
Thank you Josie, I love to get comments from younger readers. So far, the youngest is 12 (you – almost 13) and the older is 83 (2 men in this category!)