A Note of Madness

Title: A note of madness

Author: Tabitha Suzuma

Genre: Psychology, slice-of-life

Rating: A

Summary: Life as a student is good for Flynn. As one of the top pianists at the Royal College of Music, he is put forward for a big concert, the opportunity of a lifetime. But beneath the surface, things are changing. On a good day he feels full of energy and life, but on a bad day being alive is worse than being dead. Sometimes he wants to compose and practise all night, at other times he can't even get out of bed. His flatmate Harry tries to understand but is increasingly confused by Flynn's erratic mood swings. His friend Jennah tries to help, but Flynn finds it difficult to be around her - she evokes in him feelings that he can't accept. With the pressure of the forthcoming concert and the growing concern of his family and friends, emotions come to a head. Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. - Tabitha Suzuma's website

Opinion: Excellent. Something you -have- to read in one sitting, because it's that captivating. Flynn - the protagonist - is a very real person, and will turn out to be someone you will want to hug and cheer him up. You see, Flynn has bipolar disease - one minute, he's high and full of energy, and another, he's down in the slumps and thinks that life isn't worth living. The emotional edge to this novel is simply sizzling, and you'll be drawn into Flynn's up-and-down world in no time.

Even though I usually focus on novels with magical/fantasy themes, something drew me to this novel, and I now confess that it was the fact about him being a pianist. XD Not an entirely good reason for picking up a book, but I haven't regretted it in the least.

One drawback for me is that the novel is, in my opinion, too short. -.-' Still, that's not exactly a bad thing because some authors, if they draw out the plot too long, turns an excellent idea into something terrible.

Please read this. I'm begging you. *A* I simply loved it. You should at least give this a try.