Review of The Music of Unexpected Things

[Yin Jiang]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Music of Unexpected Things" by Jamie Deacon.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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17-year-old Georgie Wilde has always dreamed of going to the summer camp organized by the Dukes Academy of Contemporary Music. However, her visual handicap has always made it difficult for her to make friends. Will this summer be different?

Mina comes from a staunchly Catholic family. She dreams of pursuing a musical career but has not told her parents. She fears her dreams will go against their wishes. Will this summer be the breakthrough?

Two broken worlds collide as Georgie and Mina meet each other at Dukes’ summer camp. How will they overcome their fears and grow to become stronger people? To find out, read ‘The Music of Unexpected Things’ by Jamie Deacon.

I found ‘The Music of Unexpected Things’ to be an enjoyable read. It deals with themes of friendship, familial relationships, and reconciliation. It also discusses the tension between what a parent dreams of for their children and their children’s desires. I liked that the story resolved the differences between Georgie, Mina, and their parents. However, it also realistically reflected that not all parents will support and accept their children’s decisions.

The writing was emotive and descriptive. For example, we can feel Georgie’s anxiety as she stays in her room to avoid having to interact with her campmates. I also enjoyed reading about Star, Georgie’s guide dog, who “submits to walks with the enthusiasm of a sugar addict on their way to the dentist’s.” The book was written in first-person, which made the story more personable. However, the sections from Georgie’s perspective used many colloquialisms, which gave Georgie personality but were sometimes difficult to understand. For example, phrases like ‘soppy git’ and ‘heels grind dog ends into the concrete’ were unfamiliar and made reading uncomfortable. 

Overall, this is a simple, feel-good coming-of-age story suitable for teenage audiences. It tells a story of teenage angst and romance, which may not appeal to older audiences. I found some errors, but this did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. Therefore, I am rating this book three out of five.

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The Music of Unexpected Things
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[Nneka Bridget]

The exploration of friendship and family dynamics in "The Music of Unexpected Things" is engaging, especially through the perspectives of Georgie and Mina. The emotional depth and character development stand out, although some colloquialisms might be challenging for readers. Overall, it offers a relatable coming-of-age story with meaningful themes.

[Mary John 10]

Georgie Wilde and Mina are two teenagers with dreams of pursuing music, but their personal challenges threaten to hold them back. Georgie, a 17-year-old with a visual handicap, has always struggled to fit in, but hopes this summer at the Dukes Academy of Contemporary Music will be different. Mina, from a strict Catholic family, hides her dream of a musical career for fear of disappointing her parents. Both girls face their own obstacles, but this summer could be the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for.

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Based on the review, it seems that "The Music of Unexpected Things" by Jamie Deacon is an enjoyable and emotive read. The story revolves around the themes of friendship, familial relationships, and personal growth. The book addresses the tension between parents' dreams and their children's desires, offering a realistic depiction of the varying levels of support and acceptance from parents. The writing style effectively conveys the characters' emotions, particularly through descriptive language. However, some colloquialisms used in Georgie's sections may be challenging to understand. Overall, this coming-of-age story seems to be a good read for teenage audiences. I would rate it three out of five stars. Atmospheric setting, felt like another character in the story.