Strum

Mysticism and natural beauty pervade Young's novel as different generations of a family derive spiritual direction from music. Led by a dream of a melody, Bernard in 1954 visits a deserted Canadian lumber town and in an abandoned church discovers a venerable guitar similar to one from his dream. Bernard's reference to "divine intervention" sets the tone as other family members find the events of their lives guided by the strum of fate and the redemptive powers of music. Young's intense focus on the natural world provides imagery of glistening beauty, even as the narrative pace drags. But her scrutiny of the internal life of characters makes external incidents seem less relevant. Solid dialogue provides character development, but the overall atmosphere of hushed reverence and the author's overwriting overwhelm the novel.