The Ensemble (Large Print / Library Binding)
Staff Reviews
What an utterly gorgeous(both literally and figuratively) and immersive book this is! The stars of Gabel's debut novel - Jana, Brit, Daniel, and Henry - are members of a professional string quartet that forms in the early '90's and manages to withstand success, failure, and various major life changes. These character's' choices to tie their careers to each other has far-reaching effects , and Gabel does a beautiful job exploring the fallout. This is a book filled with love - romantic, platonic, and love of music - and it's a complete wonder to read.
— ErikaMay 2018 Indie Next List
“My goodness, I love the quartet of flawed and wonderful characters Aja Gabel brings to life. I felt the heartbreak and triumph each time the ensemble performed. The Ensemble captures everything from the relentless rehearsals to the particular hand injuries musicians worry over to the conflict within the group. Henry, Daniel, Jana, and Britt are each characters unto themselves, but together they create a fifth character: the quartet itself. An inventive novel about the lives of musicians and the world they inhabit, full of tension, ambition, confusion, and loyalty. The Ensemble is a remarkable achievement.”
— Sarah Bagby, Watermark Books, Wichita, KS