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Caletti probes the links between madness and artistic genius, passion and stability. Cassie’s famous violinist/composer stepfather Dino is “both crazy and a genius,” a person the politically correct might call “joy-impaired,” “excessively imaginative,” “abundantly security conscious” or “emotionally challenged,” but who Cassie sees as “hugely depressed,” “delusional” and “paranoid.” Now, with the looming pressure of an impending concert, he’s getting more out of control every day. The situation is exacerbated when against Dino’s wishes, Cassie begins seeing his student, an impoverished but incredibly talented violin prodigy who, though ambivalent about a music career, is working furiously to prepare for an audition. At times, the narrative seems to lose focus or drag, and the madness-genius connection fails to convince. Still, Caletti’s perceptions on divorce are crystalline, the story is populated with delightfully oddball yet solidly real characters and shot full of genuine wit, and readers will support her likable protagonist’s quest to find the balance she needs. (Fiction. 12+)
