The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee - A Book Review

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K.Lee is one of those books that plunge the reader deep into its world, making the real world a little duller in comparison. From the first page, I was seeing, smelling and hearing 1940s and 1950s Hong Kong with its crowded markets, its elaborate parties, and its dazzling views of the emerald bay.

The novel weaves two story lines a decade apart together, one during World War II, and the other ten years later amidst the lingering after-effects of the war. The later storyline is told in the past tense, which further illustrates the powerlessness of the characters to redress the mistakes of the past. The earlier storyline is told in the present tense, heightenning the sense of excitement and danger of the Japanese occupation. Although this sounds confusing, it works well, highlighting the connection of the past to the present. Many characters are present in both storylines, most notably Will Truesdale, who we first meet in the 1940s when he arrives in Hong Kong.

In the 1940s, Will is a young and handsome Englishman, new to Hong Kong and unitiated to the rules of its complex social structure. He quickly becomes involved with Trudy, a gorgeous, rich Eurasian socialite, and falls deeply in love with her. The reader too falls under the spell of this intoxicating young woman, this "sleek greyhound among the others - plump, braying women of a certain social class." Will and Trudy are soon attending elaborate parties together every night, the "it" couple of the Hong Kong scene, making parties come alive with their presence. When the war breaks out, the two are separated due to their different nationalities, and Trudy becomes even more dangerously mysterious, jeopardizing both her fate and Will's with her actions.

The intrigue builds with every wartime chapter, and is painfully contrasted with the different mood of the 1950s chapters. There we find Will, older and limping, working as a chauffeur for people he used to socialize with. He is engaged in a love affair with a young, pale, blonde Englishwoman named Claire who has just arrived in Hong Kong with her husband. This time it is Will who is the jaded and damaged corruptor of an innocent mate.

The Piano Teacher is a captivating read, filled with scenes and characters that will remain etched in your mind long after you've put it down. It's the best time of escapist novel, one of those books that proves reading can be more exciting than going to the movies, but also so beautifully written that you'll find yourself re-reading sentences just to appreciate their elegance. Grab a copy while you're finishing up your holiday shopping. It will be just the thing to read, snuggled up under a blanket after all the presents have been opened.