THE PERFORMANCE

Poetic and evocative, The Performance is a story within a story that unfolds like a piece of music. Ann Eriksson structures her novel to mimic a musical composition, complete with a prelude, movements, intermezzos and coda. Like High Clear Bell of Morning, in The Performance Eriksson combines her storyline with a sociopolitical message. Contemporary concerns about homelessness and privilege collide with the story of a concert pianist's personal and professional journey.

From her initial discovery at a competition in Toronto, from which she is whisked away to study at Julliard, to her acquisition of a patron and consistent, rave reviews, Hana Knight's dramatic success seems natural and almost easy. As Hana is swept into the world of the elite and achieves career success in New York, there are glimpses of her personal family struggles back in Vancouver: a terminally sick mother and a dead father Hana refuses to speak about. Meanwhile, Hana is intrigued by a homeless woman who repeatedly makes appearances at her performances but refuses to speak to Hana. Wrapped in accolades and privilege, Hana is gradually introduced to the darker side of New York City.

Poetic and evocative, The Performance is a story within a story that unfolds like a piece of music. Ann Eriksson structures her novel to mimic a musical composition, complete with a prelude, movements, intermezzos and coda. Like High Clear Bell of Morning, in The Performance Eriksson combines her storyline with a sociopolitical message. In this novel, the story of a concert pianist's personal and professional journey collides with weighty, socially relevant concepts like homelessness and privilege.

ANN ERIKSSON is the author of four previous novels: Decomposing Maggie, In the Hands of Anubis, Falling From Grace and High Clear Bell of Morning. A founding director of the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy, she lives on Thetis Island, British Columbia, with her husband, poet Gary Geddes.