The Goldberg Variations

The Goldberg Variations / Nancy Huston
trans. from the French by Nancy Huston
Signature, c1981.
160 p.

I've read a number of Nancy Huston's books; this is one that she wrote first in French and translated into English herself; there are a few in her oeuvre that were written this way. 

It's organized around the structure of Bach's Goldberg Variations, 30 chapters focusing on the different characters, who are revealed through their thoughts as they listen to the piece of music. Each chapter is a monologue of sorts, with each person connected somehow to the performer.

The book begins and ends with Liliane Kulainn, the harpichordist giving a performance of the Goldberg Variations in her Paris apartment, to a select invited group.

All the people at this house concert are her ex-lovers, old friends or colleagues, or people who have come with them. As we enter each character's thoughts, there are revelations -- some specifically about Liliane but some with people's minds wandering, thinking about their own lives. 

As the focus changes between characters, the voices do too. Some of them are almost a different dialect, while others reveal class or regional differences. It's an interesting concept & it mostly works. It opens up space for many stories, and makes this a book you can read chapter by chapter without losing the plot.  That said, there isn't much of an actual plot, it's more of a character study. But one that keeps you reading. 

I did find that with so many characters, and all revealed through interior monologues, it was a slower paced read. Not a lot of emotional connection; but quite a bit of technical, stylistic flair. Maybe like the Goldberg Variations themselves, especially in the hands of Glenn Gould. I admired this novel, but it's probably not one I would read again.