{"product_id":"private-lessons-paperback","title":"Private Lessons - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCynthia Salaysay\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Beautifully explores topics not often addressed. . . . Claire's need for affection and acceptance leads her into entirely believable and utterly sad encounters, while the strength she musters carries her through to an uplifting conclusion.\" --\u003ci\u003eBooklist \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review) \u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay's father's death, only music has helped her channel her grief. Claire likes herself best when she plays his old piano, a welcome escape from the sadness--and her traditional Filipino mother's prayer groups. In the hopes of earning a college scholarship, Claire auditions for Paul Avon, a prominent piano teacher, who agrees to take Claire as a pupil. Soon Claire loses herself in Paul's world and his way of digging into a composition's emotional core. She practices constantly, foregoing a social life, but no matter how hard she works or how well she plays, it seems impossible to gain Paul's approval, let alone his affection. Author Cynthia Salaysay composes a moving, beautifully written portrait of rigorous perfectionism, sexual awakening, and the challenges of self-acceptance. Now in paperback with an updated cover, \u003ci\u003ePrivate Lessons\u003c\/i\u003e is a timely and vital story that delves into a complicated student\/teacher relationship, as well as class and cultural differences, with honesty and grace.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCynthia Salaysay\u003c\/b\u003e holds a bachelor's degree in English from University of California, Berkeley, and has workshopped her fiction at Tin House. She has written food and culture articles for the \u003ci\u003eSan Francisco Examiner\u003c\/i\u003e, the\u003ci\u003e San Francisco Bay Guardian\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eEast Bay Express\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eCivil Eats\u003c\/i\u003e. Currently, she works as a Reiki practitioner and an operating-room nurse in Oakland, California. This is her first novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.87 x 8.23 x 5.55 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 14, 2024\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42154010443911,"sku":"9781536230413","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/43a2235ce13ca274d2868dd1aa6f88fa.webp?v=1733226011","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/private-lessons-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}