Orfeo is one of those booker longlisted books that you have to read with a dictionary to hand, and in this case maybe an expert in classical and modern composing as well.
It follows an old man on the run from the authorities because of the biological lab they discovered in his home. He looks back on his life as a composer and teacher of composition who had spent years trying to push the boundaries of modern music and style. There is a lot of music theory type stuff, and history of music etc which is quite heavy going.
Also there is the age old story of someone obsessed with their creative zeal to the detriment of their relationship with friends, lovers and children, wondering which they regret more – not achieving the levels of greatness they aspired to, or losing the ones who they loved most along the way.
I did enjoy it (I think) in the way that you enjoy a slightly hard workout that you think is probably doing you good and you can feel smug when you have completed it(!).
Sarah Wray Writer 