Oh my goodness, this is the fourth book I read for the 2024 North Carolina Reads statewide book club from NC Humanities. I fell in love with and was so inspired by the character Ray McMillan in this book. His colorful story opened up a whole new world in my understanding of violins and classical music while introducing us to the famous Stradivarius violin. Yet throughout this book, Brendan Slocumb weaves a level of consciousness about playing a borrowed instrument like the violin and what it’s like to persevere in a world where others feel you don’t belong.
The journey of Ray is a clear reminder to me about why I am so passionate about our schools continuing to support and not eliminate the arts and music from students. When I joined the marching band in high school, I was fortunate to have a band director who cared about his student musicians from beginners to advanced students. This is such an awesome read that I highly recommend it. You need not have musical knowledge in order to fall in love with the message throughout this story. I am pleased to share with you my review of the book The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb.
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This novel is one of the most fascinating, thrilling, emotional, and riveting head-scratching whodunits I’ve read. The story begins when Ray McMillan, an accomplished violinist has his Stradivarius Violin (one of the finest instruments ever made and a collector’s item) stolen from right under his nose. A $5 million ransom note along with a white Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star tennis shoe was placed in his violin case. The person I suspected turned out in the end to be the culprit, along with an accomplice because they had opportunity and motive.
As the story of Ray’s life unfolds, my heartstrings tugged, because he was ostracized for having different dreams and ambitions that did not conform to his family’s or public opinion – their judgemental conditioned way of life. Ray’s mother got on my nerves sometimes because she often acted like Ray was her husband/boyfriend, babysitter, or pet.
When you are a product in an environment with aspirations and dreams that are different from those of everyone else, you stand out like an alien. In many situations, envy and resentment are because others around you don’t think outside of the box or are as innovative as you are. They prefer that you remain in the box. All too often we witness this in our lives, especially when we don’t walk to the beat of their cadence or in the same paths as friends, family, or foe. But Ray felt a close bond with his Grandmother Nora. He would confide in his grandmother when he couldn’t do so with his mother. His grandmother encouraged him when he was discouraged and knew Ray was interested in music, something she wanted her children to do, but they didn’t.
Grandma Nora gave him her grandfather’s old fiddle, which was stored in an alligator-skin case with a loose handle. He’d been using a borrowed school instrument but was excited to get PopPop’s fiddle he used to play for his master when he was a slave…something that kept him alive. After searching with no luck, he thought Grandma Nora could have been confused. But one day, he found it and took it to be repaired. Even though the repairs were shotty and unprofessional, Ray was still able to play it and enjoyed serenading his grandmother when he went to visit her.
Photo Credit: brendanslocumb.com
After auditioning for a competition, Ray was approached by Janice Stevens who became extremely instrumental (no pun intended) in his going to college and later, as he became a world-class violinist. Thinking that PopPop’s violin may be of some value, Janice made an appointment with an appraiser to examine Ray’s violin. Much to their surprise after the violin was properly repaired and examined, they discovered that PopPop’s violin was a Stradivarius made by the Italian Stradivari family during the 17th and 18th centuries. This was when the Marks family who owned his grandfather and Ray’s greedy family sued him for the violin because now, after the appraisal and insured value were known, everyone was claiming ownership.
The sadness that Ray dealt with throughout his life, is reflected by some of Brendan Slocomb’s real-life experiences when he was confronted with conscious and unconscious discrimination despite his accomplishments. Struggle became a normal part of life and Ray, like Brendon, was passed over not because he was incapable but because he was perceived as incapable based on very real racism and stereotyping from professors, musicians, and others who said Ray’s fame was based on a racial quota or a diversity stunt. These judgementalists perceived that Blacks weren’t good enough and were oddities whose talents were seldom recognized.
I think it’s safe to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book selection. You can connect with Brendan Slocumb on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, TikTok, and Twitter.
Thank you, Kym, for scoring eleven out of ten with your introduction to Brendan Slocumb’s music and his fascinating first book!
I watched the interview and it resonated with me as after changing countries, I had some problems too.
Joanna
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I love-love-love this story, Miz Kym. Now I want to read the book. The PBS interview is delightful. He sounds like a man you would like to meet, as a person, not just as a celebrity. Well done, Sistah Girlfriend.
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This comes highly from you. If I get hold of it, I’ll read it definitely
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Such a heartfelt post and man, Kym.. It sounds so compelling and I love the story of him fixing his violin and signing to his grandma. How wonderful. Congratulations to him and to you for sharing❣️
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Thanks for the review and recommendation, Kym!
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Oh, my chickie, I think I love this book and I haven’t even read it yet. Onto the TBR it goes! Thank you for introducing this fascinating book and author!🩷🌸
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Oh wow Joanna, are you sooooo sweet. I hate that you had to go through such a ordeal as well, but oh the wise lessons we learn as a result of such an experience. I appreciate your wonderful rating my dear. Hugs my friend. 🤗💖😘
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Miz Pat, Pat, Baby, I am so glad that you enjoyed the interview and review. He has a new book out now and I’m pretty excited to read that one too. It was quite an eyeopener indeed. Sending you a truckload of love, hugs and kisses ladybug! 💖🤗💋🥰🐞
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Oh my gosh Sadje, thank you so much for your heartfelt words my friend. His experience is definitely nostalgic and one that you can connect to. Thanks so much for your encouragement! 🥰🙏🏼🤗💖😊
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Boomerang sentiments by return pixels, Miz Kym. Lady Bug out here.
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You are more than welcome, Kym! Hugs for you, too!
Joanna xxx
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Thanks so much for your empowering words Cindy. I was so smitten by his tenderness and the nostalgia he embraced by honoring his grandfather and grandmother the way he did. Sure he could have sold that violin for a lot of money, but no one wanted the thing before he became an accomplished violinist. They just wanted to get their grubby little hands on it just for greed, not what it meant. Thanks for your sweet words my dawwwwlinkkkkk! 🥰💖🤗🥂😘
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Wow! Very interesting post! My dear friend Kym thank’s for share it. Looks like lesson for learn, you always inspiring us to be better
persons, great done. Have a wonderful, relaxing evening!
Blessings! Abrazote mi amiga! Cheers!
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And thank you too Rosaliene. It’s my pleasure my friend! 🤗🙏🏼😊 It was a lovely read for sure! 💞
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Why thank you so much for your energetic response my ChickiePotPie! This would be book number 200 of the year for you perhaps??? 😜😂😝 You are a reading super hero! Brendan is definitely a fascinating author and amazing musician! 😎🎶🦋
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🤗💖🥰💞😍 Awwwww Peppermint Patty! 😘💋😘
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Sad to hear of his struggles but what an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing your review, girlfriend. It stretches our hearts and minds, and God knows, we need both to grow proportional to all that we have going on in the world right now! ❤️❤️❤️
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Always a pleasure dear Kym
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Thanks a bunch Elvira. It was a lovely and heartwarming read that I really enjoyed reading. Brendan is a very talented guy. Thanks so much for your sweet comments my friend. Abrazote! 😍🌺🥰🥂😘
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Drop the mic Sista Dora! Thank you so much for your kind comment and your encouraging sentiments about what our world, as you noted, needs right now. Against all odds, we persevere! 🥰🌺😍💖😊
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Kymmy! This is fabulous! What an inspiring and multi-talented person and your write up is so informative. Thank you for sharing the video clip too, that highlights how music (and creativity) can be someone’s ticket to a bright future, with dedication and focus, of course! 🎻📘👏🏻
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an inspiring share…and made more so by your wonderful review. thank you for sharing, Kym 🤍💫
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Always a pleasure visit your blog my dear friend Kym. I can see it he is very talented exactly like you.
Thank’s Abrazote! 🙏🥰🤩💐🧁🫖☕✨🥂
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Naaaah, silly. lol I think it would be number 43 or something like that. 😀 😀 I love fascinating musicians, that is for sure! 🩷🌸🩷🌸
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Thanks, Kym, for this fabulous post and introduction to such an inspiring man! I love the video, and I can’t wait to read this book because of your amazing review. Hugs and Happy Friday! 🥰💖🥂
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You sold me on this book, Kym. It sounds rich in story and emotion. My kind of book.
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What a beautiful review of a beautiful story! I agree that robbing children of music and the arts in our schools is a crime.
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♥️♥️♥️
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Oh Michele my dear, you nailed it perfectly. 👩🏼🏫 As a teacher (once a teacher always a teacher) you understand how much educational leadership can impact a person, especially when they come from challenging circumstances. Positive role models can make or break the motivation of young people, and adults when we think about it. Thanks for chiming in my Dancing Queen! 🎶💃🏼🙆🏻♀️💃🏻🎻
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Oh my dear Destiny, you are so kind and thoughtful my friend. 💖🙏🏼💞 I appreciate your sweet words of encouragement. It was a wonderful read. 🥰📕🤗
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Awwww, now that is a humbling comparison and compliment for me Elvira! Gracias mi amiga! Abrazote! 😘☕😍🥂💖😊🥂🦋
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Girl KymberNoodle you are too funny. 🤣👍🏼😂 Let’s face it, you are way ahead of the reading game than many of us, because you are a badass beast of a reader! 🤓📚🤭 Cheers to our magnificent musicians who serenade us with LOVE!!! 😊💖😘
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Thanks so much for your sweet and kind comment my friend. I didn’t think I did the book as much justice as it deserved, but I am so delighted that it piqued your interest. 🤗💖🤔 Have a FANtabulous weekend.
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Your post really did, Kym, and wishing you the same! Cheers! 🥂😍💕
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Yes ma’am Mary, it is indeed an emotional read, but powerful at the same time. 😍 Many lessons to be learned for sure from the protagonist’s point of view. 🌞💖🙏🏼 Thanks so much my friend.
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Thank you for the rich post and for appreciating my thoughts as a teacher and as someone who greatly benefitted from caring teachers and the lessons they provided. My teaching looks different now, but I wholeheartedly agree with you – once a teacher always a teacher, yes! Happy weekending dear Kymbelina! 💃🏽🪩💃🏻
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Oh yes Dawn and I believe it does more harm than good to slash the budget when it comes down to the humanities in school programs. I hope many of these school boards reconsider how kids can be robbed by such critical activities. Thanks so much for chiming in Dawn. 🤗💖🙏🏼
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Cheers Lauren dear! 🤗🍸😘🥂😁
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Always enjoy visit your blog my dear friend Kym. Thank’s for your kindness. Gracias mi amiga!
Abrazote! 🙏🤩💖😘🥳💐🧁☕🥂
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pleasure always, Kym 🤗🤍
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You are so very welcome my sweet Michelina dear. May your weekend be Superliciously FANtabulous! 😍🥂😘💐🌞🌈😊
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And thank you too my dear Elvira. I appreciate your encouragement as always mi amiga! Cheers to a wonderful and relaxing weekend. 🥰🥂😊💐☕🎶🦋
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🙏🏻🌵🌸🌵🌸🌵😘
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😍💖😘
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Aww! My dear friend Kym it’s a pleasure, thanks for your kind wishes. Let’s enjoy a wonderful, relaxing, fun weekend! 🙏🥰💐🎉🧁🫖☕✨🥂✨
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I agree. Cheers Elvira! Abrazote mi amiga! 😍🎈😊🙏🏼☕🌞🦋🥂💖
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Cheers dear Kym! Abrazote mi amiga! 🙏🤩💖💐🥳🧁🫖☕✨🥂
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