I think that this book is quite genius. To convey the essence of a man in a few very brief chapters focusing on minute detail is something I haven't seen done before. I understand Ravel in a way that a 500 page biographical tome couldn't convey. The detailing of his dementia at the end was heartbreaking and terrifying. What a terrible way for a man who so thrived on public approval to end his days.

After a second reading, I increased my stars to 5 because it hit me how beautiful and perfect the writing is. It doesn't matter that I don't much about Ravel, about his style of music, that I don't much care for the dandy style of someone who has 25 pairs of pajamas. Writing this beautiful can be about anything in the world and I would love it.