FORBIDDEN CHILDHOOD

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 24, 1957

Before she was born, Ruth's vocation was planned by her overhearing and psychotic father who wanted a musical genius in the family that he might profit vicariously by her fame and directly in her money. He stopped at nothing to achieve this end. Ruth was beaten, prodded, directed and manipulated. Her mother and her sisters were treated like inferiors when Ruth's early training scored brilliant successes as a child protege at home and abroad. The lecherous tyrant claimed all credit, in tender, gifts, and talent; and, although the child owed her artistry to many teachers other than her father (Arthur Schnabel, Rubenstein, Petri, Josef Hofmann and others), he refused their advice to discontinue concertizing until Ruth was older. Instead his brutal drive prodded on until Ruth's strength was gapped, and her talent undermined. She went to college and slowly started to play the piano again, this time volitionally. Urged by her husband to return to the stage, she acquiesced but not without misgivings, for his tones were too reminiscent of her father. Now on the up and up her music is distinctly her own. Too much of an apology for non-productive years, it lacks a humility which should attend autobiography. Portions will appear in October McCall's.

Pub Date: Oct. 24, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1957

Categories: NONFICTION