The Song of Names - Hardcover

This is an interesting tale, Lebrecht recreates the atmosphere of war-time London through a child's eyes with vigour (The Scotsman)

Any critic, especially one as ferocious as Norman Lebrecht, who risks putting his own head above the creative parapet needs barrel-loads of chutzpah. The temptation to aim a few slings and arrows at the thunderer just for the hell of it is almost irresistible. Sadly, his first novel, The Song of Names spoils the fun. It is too good to trash....It has a compelling humanity. The cynical symbiosis of the relationship between artist and agent is deliciously caught. The atmosphere of wartime and the aftermath is conjured with exceptional vividness. Musical influences and imagery run like a watermark through the prose. Having rounded the whole thing off with elan, Lebrecht leaves room for a final flourish, his concert encore (Evening Standard)

Much to enjoy in the author's sensitive understanding of music and musicians (Literary Review)

Consistently intriguing...crucial and moving (Sunday Times)

This complex and often tragic story reads entertainingly...an unusually impressive first novel (The Spectator)