Review of The Cello Maker and Other Stories of Creative People

Post by **Melisa Jane** » 28 Mar 2025, 06:37

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Cello Maker and Other Stories of Creative People" by David P Andersen.]

5 out of 5 stars

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The Cello Maker: And Other Stories of Creative People by David P. Andersen is a collection of short stories covering various themes and topics. It touched on craftsmanship, history, engineering, physics, aeroplanes, fantasy, and memoirs, among others.

There were several things I liked about this book. First, I liked how the author executed the stories well. Not only were the settings vividly described, but David P. Andersen also naturally and expertly employed rich stylistic devices like personification. Second, I liked the characters featured in this story. An example is Ernesto Stefenetti, who appears in the first story, "The Cello Maker." This craftsman, who is well into his seventies, has a strong work ethic, is hardworking, and immensely loves his job. Third, I liked that the stories were of varying lengths, with some being short. The best thing was that they were also complete and wrapped up well.

My favorite aspect of this book was the author's exemplary, unconventional creativity. I noticed this creativity in many stories, like those featuring aeroplane mechanics and avionics. However, the creativity stood out for me in "The Longitude of Shadows," a fantasy story that described a possible lifeform on Mercury. Usually, when considering lifeforms on other planets, we think of biological ones, but this story's hypothesis is a different yet believable approach that opens up a new world of possibilities or thinking.

All in all, there was nothing I disliked about this book. I only found one objective error, although there were shorthand spelling variations of the words "through" and "thanks," which I believe were intentional. This means the editing was good. Therefore, I am glad to give The Cello Maker: And Other Stories of Creative People by David P. Andersen five out of five stars. I gave it the highest rating due to the excellent execution, the author's top-notch creativity, and because there was nothing I disliked about it.

If you are fascinated by creative and inspirational stories, I highly recommend this book. Fans of short stories, in general, will also appreciate it. I am glad I found this book and discovered the author, and I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

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The Cello Maker and Other Stories of Creative People
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Mark Lazarus · Post by **Mark Lazarus** » 29 Mar 2025, 13:13

This collection sounds like a fascinating mix of craftsmanship, science, and creativity, which definitely appeals to me. I like that the stories explore a range of disciplines, from history and engineering to fantasy, and that they’re well-executed with strong character work. The idea of an unconventional take on extraterrestrial life in “The Longitude of Shadows” also stands out—that kind of fresh perspective is always intriguing.

Since I enjoy stories that highlight creativity and craftsmanship, I’d say this book resonates with me. I might give it a shot, especially because you found nothing to dislike about it—that’s a strong endorsement.

Arshadq · Post by **Arshadq** » 08 Apr 2025, 05:05

I personally love short stories and books that have many messages and many stories to think upon. This book sounds very interesting; from airplanes to life forms on Mercury, I love books that have history, fantasy, and many aspects. They all add up and make the book so colorful to read. I will add this book to my shelves. Thank you for your review.