Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Us Conductors
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
Locked in a cabin, on a ship bound for Leningrad, Lev Termen types a letter to Clara, his 'one true love'. He recalls his early years as a scientist, inventing the musical theremin and other electric marvels, and the Kremlin's dream that these creations could help infiltrate capitalism itself. Instead, Manhattan infiltrated Termen he fell in love with the city's jazz clubs and speakeasies, and with Clara, a beautiful young violinist. When Termen's spy games fall apart, he returns to find the Motherland not quite as he left it. Exiled to a Siberian gulag, with nothing but his wits to keep him alive, Termen is drawn ever deeper into the labyrinth of Stalin's Russia. Only his feelings for Clara, passing through the ether like the theremin's song, seem to show a way out.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
StaceyKondla
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image

Took in a Wordfest Imaginairium event today with Anthony De Sa and Sean Michaels

review
kiks
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

I picked this book for its cover. My mom got this from goodreads giveaway and I immediately fell in love with its elegant and simple cover. As for the book, it was good. Dont read it if you want a strict biography on Leon Theremin but choose it for its beautiful words. There was almost a poetical quality to the book. It was a very romanticized version of the life of the inventor but then again I was never big into biographies (contd in comments)

kiks So setting aside facts, I really loved this book as an imagination of the scientists life. Will definitely recommend this book. Honestly I wouldnt mind reading another one of the authors book. 6y
14 likes1 comment
quote
kiks
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image

#currentmood

Currently reading this book and I came across the quote.

14 likes1 stack add
blurb
saresmoore
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
post image

Evening multitasking. Or, as my oh-so-literal husband calls it, “multi half tasking.”

I am enjoying this book from the perspective of Leon Thermen, the scientist/musician who invented the theremin. It‘s dragging a bit, but I‘m sticking with it for the sake of the reading challenges!

Side note: transliteration of theremin sounds is hilarious—“DZEEEEOOOoo.”

Bradleygirl Omigosh have to read it for the noise translations 6y
AlaMich Multi-half-tasking...🤣🤣 6y
rubyslippersreads I always associate the theremin with "Dark Shadows." ? 6y
See All 25 Comments
vivastory I think it says something about me that the theremin is the instrument I hear the most in my mind. I'm just not sure what... 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Got a theremin a couple of years ago and am still clumsily trying to learn to play. Loved this book!! 6y
saresmoore @AlaMich Right? I try my best to challenge his definition daily. It usually ends in burned dinner. 6y
saresmoore @rubyslippersreads I love it! I have taken this book as an excuse to listen to more theremin. 6y
saresmoore @vivastory 😂 I can‘t say I‘m surprised by this admission. But, really, how does it make you FEEL? 6y
saresmoore @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled You win. That is so cool! 6y
saresmoore @Bradleygirl They‘re surprisingly onomatoPOETIC. See what I did there? 😏 6y
Bibliotini Love your ereader case. Where‘d you get it? 6y
saresmoore @Bibliotini It‘s from Klever Case. They have a website (klevercase.com) and an Etsy site. Check it out, they were having some Black Friday sales! 6y
Texreader That‘s how I️ cook! One eye reading my book! 6y
saresmoore @Texreader My kids think my cooking requires a lot more concentration than it really does. 😬 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I don‘t think so! 😂 I can never tell if I‘m doing it right, or anything at all, actually! Finding a theremin instructor isn‘t possible, I don‘t think! It does drive the dogs nuts, though 6y
ReadingEnvy You can actually find recordings of his girlfriend playing the instrument. It's pretty incredible. I loved this book! 6y
LauraBrook I was wondering how they were going to write out the sound - funny! 😂 6y
saresmoore @ReadingEnvy I‘m reading this on your recommendation! It took me a bit to get used to some of the writing quirks, but I‘m really liking it now. 6y
saresmoore @LauraBrook I was surprised how well it evokes the real sound! Listening while reading is very immersive. 6y
Suet624 Apparently I‘m the only person who didn‘t know what s theremin is. 6y
saresmoore It has such a distinctive musicality. I remember when I first learned about it, my reaction was, “Oh, that‘s what makes that weird sound!” @Suet624 (edited) 6y
LauraBeth @vivastory the banjo is mine 😂 6y
vivastory @LauraBeth How awesome would a 2 person band, one on banjo & one on theremin, be? 😂😂 6y
BookBabe 😁👌🏻 6y
109 likes1 stack add25 comments
blurb
Shawna
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image
blurb
shawnmooney
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image

When I saw this hardcover remaindered at Indigo for $5 I couldn't resist. Check out the Goodreads review by @ReadingEnvy - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1223234733 - that's what first piqued my interest. This might be my 'U' book for #LitsyAtoZ.

saresmoore I think it's going to be my U book, too! 7y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Loved this book - highly recommend 7y
MamaGina I read this for my historical fiction book club a couple of years ago and then had an opportunity to attend a live demonstration of a theremin being played. Fascinating!🤓 7y
ReadingEnvy Loved it and you can find recordings online of one of the historical characters playing the therein! 7y
ReadingEnvy Haha therein = theremin 7y
34 likes4 stack adds5 comments
blurb
BookishTrish
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image

A glimpse at some of my books set in #Russia #backintheUSSR #rockinMay

Moray_Reads 😍😍 7y
Cinfhen Oh wow! You could post a new book every day in May from just this prompt 🤘🏽🤘🏽have you read them all?!? 7y
Caroline2 Awesome!!! ❤️ 7y
BookishTrish @Cinfhen Not yet... 7y
76 likes4 comments
review
MeaMck
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

The life of Lev Termin, inventor of the theremin (that creepy sounding sci-fi instrument) and reluctant Russian spy is retold in one of my favourite novels to come out in the past five years. Gulags, spies, jazz music, gin, engineering, and partying in New York City. It's even better the second time around.

review
Smatt852
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
Pickpick

So glad this won the Giller Prize or I would never have found it. The plot is a little weak but it doesn't matter because the writing pulls you in. It's one if those books that as soon as you're finished you are looking for the next one by the author.

blurb
Litlady
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
post image

A nasty little cold has me in its clutches today but no fear! My shipment from Amazon had perfect timing. Just looking at these makes me feel a bit better. Happy Thursday, Littens!! 🤒 😷 😌

elkeOriginal Three Dark Crowns is next on my TBR too! Happy reading 🙂 8y
Litlady @elkeo Thanks‼️ ✌️ 😊 8y
39 likes2 comments
review
AiBBot
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

If you want to read a book about a young man who creates music, is adored by all and lives happily, then do not read this book. If you want to read a book about a Russian scientist (who loved music/sound/electricity) that also includes elements of New York in the 1920-1930's, survival, wild ingenuity, kung fu, love and betrayal, then read this book. *Postscript* Also, double bonus points for a cover that is shiny.

review
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

My favorite book/music combo! Fascinating novel about Leon Theremin and his true love Clara Rockmore (greatest player of the theremin). Perfect book for those who love Russian lit, science, or a heartbreaking tale. (I'm attempting to learn to play this instrument. It's killing my brain.) #augustphotochallenge #booksandmusic

RealLifeReading Sounds interesting! 8y
rubyslippersreads As a fan of "Dark Shadows," I'll have to read this. ? 8y
Kitta Had this on my shelf for a while, need to get around to it! 8y
34 likes5 stack adds3 comments
review
ReadingEnvy
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

Books and music for #augustofpages - these are my top three novels about music. Us Conductors tells the story of the inventor of the theremin (and romance!), Orfeo is about a composer who accidentally becomes a terrorist, and Cloud Atlas has a composer in one of the stories.

BookHermit Ah, I forgot about the composer in Cloud Atlas! Good choices👍 8y
Liberty I love this book. 💕 8y
ReadingEnvy @Liberty I push it on all the music people I know! 8y
Cobscook Yay! Cloud Atlas! 💗 8y
41 likes1 stack add5 comments
quote
Tin_House
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
post image

"The sound of the theremin is simply pure electric current. It is the chanting of lightning as it hides in the cloud. The song never strains or falters; it persists, stays, keeps, lasts, lingers.

In that regard, it is better than any of us."

drokka Anyone who writes about theramins gets my vote. 8y
Liberty I 💗 this book, so much. 8y
29 likes8 stack adds2 comments
review
KendallMorganHall
Us Conductors | Sean Michaels
post image
Pickpick

There is a reason this book won the Giller Prize in 2014. I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this book if it hadn't won because a story about the inventor of the theremin doesn't scream 'must read,' but boy oh boy. This is one of the best books I've ever read. The writing is out of this world.

Bethanychaseauthor Yaaaaas! My agent repped this book. So glad to see someone give it a shout out! 8y
10 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled
Us Conductors: A Novel | Sean Michaels
Pickpick

Inspired me to try the theremin again. Great story, interesting style. Russian espionage and lost love. Perfect dreariness in the best way.