Review of Glissando: a Melodrama, by David Musgrave, in Bookseller + Publisher
"Four-and-a-half stars: Archie Fliess was born 'in one of the earliest years of the twentieth century, most likely in NSW' and was brought up with his half-brother Reggie by an odd collection of family and caretakers. Their carefree lives change when they go to live as the rightful owners of a property in country NSW, built by their German grandfather. Archie discovers his grandfather's notebooks and becomes fascinated with his bold vision to build the perfect house in the Australian outback. As Archie unravels his grandfather's architectural secrets, his own life is swept up in the cut-throat world of the National Theatre. These parallel stories descend like sliding chords from great optimism and artistic potential into grief, insanity and failed ambition. Musgrave turns outback Australia into a vainglorious artistic battle ground, the melodramatic style – filled with music, exaggerated characters, and improbable events – echoing the great Australian yarn to brilliantly satirise the chequered history of art in this country. Glissando submits the cultural cringe to its own ends (even sending Reggie to England 'to purge himself of art') and anyone engaged in the arts in Australia will find much to laugh (or cry) about in this wise, lyrical romp of a book. – Richard Bilkey is writer, editor and bookseller