Counterpoint: Dylan's Story follows eighteen–year–old Dylan Rutledge, who has one obsession: music. He believes his destiny is to be the greatest composer of the rapidly approaching twentieth century. Only Laurence Northcliff, a young history master at The Venerable Bede School for Young Gentlemen, believes in Dylan's talent and encourages his dream, not realizing Dylan is in love with him. But Dylan's passion and belief in his future come at a high price. They will alienate him from his family and lead him on a rocky path fraught with disappointment, rejection, and devastating loss that kills his dream. A forbidden love could bring the dream back to life and rescue Dylan from despair and bitterness, but does he have the courage to reach out and take it? Will he deny the music that rules his soul?
Superb, richly romantic story from talented author!
Bob Lind wrote on 08/15/2010:
Dylan Rutledge is a talented, young 19th century British musician, but who has a nontraditional, eccentric composition/performing style that labels him as a troublemaker by the conservative faculty at The Venerable Bede School for Young Gentlemen. Coming to his defense is Laurence Norcliff, one of his teachers, who tutors him and admires his passion for music. That admiration turns into more, after Dylan graduates and Laurence leaves the school to pursue writing in Paris, and they are soon living together. Dylan is estranged from his family, and relies heavily on Laurence for emotional support. While seemingly hopelessly devoted to Laurence, Dylan is also somewhat fascinated by Geoffrey, the protégé of a famous violinist he meets through Laurence, and they are to pay a bigger role in each other's lives, through two twists of faith.
As I said when I reviewed Sims' "The Phoenix," I'm not usually into historical period pieces, but loved that masterpiece .., and I think she has outdone herself with "Counterpoint: Dylan's Story." On different levels, it is really several love stories in one, crafted with meticulous characterizations and historical nuances, the latter giving a somewhat shocking look at hardships and legalities of that era that we would find barbaric today. The author skillfully brings the reader to places where he may never have been, at a time he couldn't possibly imagine without her guidance. Erotic interludes are hinted, not explicit, while the romance overcomes several bigotries that aren't completely gone, more than a century later, which gives the reader something to think about. Bravo on another triumph, with four tuneful stars out of four!
Superb, richly romantic story from talented author!
