The Master's Violin

Myrtle Reed’s classic novel is not simply a romantic story, but a celebration of life, love and the exquisiteness of music.


The story involves a virtuoso violin player living in Lancaster, whose house is kept by his spinster sister. In a different neighborhood of town, an elderly lady who adopted and raised a young girl is surprised when her relatives– a widow and her son – arrive unannounced and wish to stay. The son, being musically talented, aspires to take up tutorage with the famous violinist of Lancaster. Thus begins an awkward situation that serves as a gauntlet for the passionate story which follows.

Notably for a book of this genre, The Master’s Violin contains many musings on the nature and value of family, music, parenthood, friendship and life. The reflective and thoughtful narration, along with the poignant descriptions of the master’s performances, makes this a unique and memorable story.

The author was among the most famous and appreciated novelists of her time. Unusually for a romance author, Reed also published a series of successful cookbooks. Though her fame declined in the years following her death in 1911 at the age of only 36, her books have maintained an appreciative audience into the 21st century.