Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, "Partita," was released on October 6. Kingsolver, an acclaimed author and pianist, draws inspiration from her own experiences growing up in Appalachia and pursuing music on a piano scholarship, much like her main character, Livia.
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In a conversation with Kerri Miller on Big Books and Bold Ideas, Kingsolver mentioned the unique perspective she aimed to provide in the novel, stating, "Very few people have written about music from the inside. I’ve never read a novel about a pianist from a pianist point of view. I loved the challenge of translating one art form into another."
"Partita" is structured like a musical partita, consisting of distinct parts that come together to form a cohesive whole. The story follows Livia as she navigates her early college years, where her passion for music flourishes but is soon complicated by her first experience of love, altering her life’s trajectory.
The novel delves into themes of redemption, love, and the influence of music, reflecting on the poignant "what ifs" of life. Kingsolver has written ten bestselling works of fiction, including "Demon Copperhead," "Unsheltered," and "The Poisonwood Bible." "Partita" adds another layer to her exploration of human experience.