How did the music contribute to your reading experience? What music might comprise the score for the movie of your life?

Music is such a powerful, pervasive, magical part of this story, and there's a soundtrack in the background, transporting us to another time. How did this contribute to your reading experience?

What types of music do you envision might reflect Jonah’s later life?

What does music mean to you? What music might comprise the score for the movie of your life?

I enjoyed the music aspect. It played a vital part in Jonah's as well as his family's and friend. The scattering of cultural references were appreciated - music, art, architecture. Sort of served as a bridge joining the protagonists together.

I loved the musical references in the novel. The idea of Jonah and his friend playing music together to ease their awkwardness was such a tender and loving thing. I was fortunate to grow up in a family that loved music. We lived in an area where a lot of great musicians came and entertained, particularly jazz musicians. I remember Tuesday nights at the Colony Club on lower Alvarado Street in Monterey: there was free spaghetti and music by the likes of Mose Allison, Cannonball Adderley, Thelonius Monk, the Modern Jazz Quartet, etc. Our area was also a mecca for folk musicians and this was the music I particularly loved, although my tastes are eclectic. If you ask me if I prefer Mozart or Motorhead, I am hard pressed to answer. It depends on the moment.

Yes -- this is a technique that Stephen King has perfected. Reading one of his books is not only an experience for the story itself, it is a historical look at the culture of the day through his personal references to such mundane things as cereal, television shows, music. All these things help you make the transition back to your feelings as a child. Dean Koontz has used it in some of his other books, but he wove it to perfection throughout this book. Having the main characters being geek musicians was a masterstroke.

I enjoyed the muscal references, but I enjoyed equally the references to historical events - especially the way the references are sometimes worked into the conversation in a casual way. One example that stood out for me is on page 124 when Mr. Yoshioka adds that he and his family "later [lived] in a place called Manzanar."

As someone who loves swing music, this novel was a treat. The greats were playing in my head the whole time. Also the way Koontz told the story, the suspense and the build up to the big moment in the book felt like a big moment in a musical piece. Someone else in another thread described his writing of this novel as lyrical and I have to agree. I felt musical elements in the writing but I am no expert in music, just someone who enjoys how music makes me feel.

Music was salvation for these characters. It was the core of their lives. Reading of the music that they found important made the story true. It defined the era of the book and filled in all the spaces. Music is so very important to our lives whether we are musically inclined or not. It is always around us. Often bringing us pleasure and sometimes not. If I were to pick a soundtrack I think it would be The Firebird by Stravinsky. It does speak to me.

While reading this book, I always had a sense of music in the background, like a movie. It enriched the book for me. I think music for my life would be sixties songs. Those always bring back a lot of memories, I love most of them.

I think the musical talents of the grandfather and daughter and Jonah's gifts let us know these characters are sensitive and special. The fact Jonah's father couldn't see the value of music spoke about his lack of character. The music enabled the family to succeed it became their careers. It brought friendship to Jonah. There was also a certain tempo to the book - the story was lyrical. The magical aspects of this book are similar to a melody. The musical elements of The City added to the richness of the story.

Since I am a mature reader, you might say "over ripe", this was the music of my life. I was put off by the catalogging of artist, writer, etc. The score for my life would be eclectic with Big Band and The American Song Book to the Beatles and beyond with a full stop at Rap. Who knows what else will come along? I thought the writer's use of music provided a good setting for the times.

As a fan of Jazz and the big band era I have to admit that the inclusion of the musical references it really what drew me in to the story.