The Lucy Variations

Zarr, Sara. The Lucy Variations. 2013, 304p. ISBN 978-0-316-20501-6. FIC ZAR on the library shelves.

Lucy is a piano prodigy, and has always been playing. Her grandfather has always guided her towards competitions, showcases, and recording deals, and he has relentlessly pushed her to perform. While performing in Prague, she finds out from her father that her favorite person in the whole world, her grandmother, has died, she is crushed. Her grandfather and her father lied to her so she would continue playing and not cancel her performance. Angry, sad, and resentful, she flew off the stage and has not played since.

Now the family has focused its efforts on Gus, her ten years old brother, who is a prodigy as well. When his tutor suddenly dies, Grandfather hires Will, himself a former child prodigy, to tutor Gus and prepare him for the big December showcase.

With a large hole in her life, Lucy has been attempting to fill it with her classwork, but she finds herself empty. Will’s presence rekindles her love for the piano and makes her wonder whether she could or should ever play again.


Lucy’s friendship with Will may cause her to lose that of her best friend, whose father cheated on her mother, and of her little brother who wants Will all to himself. Find out what happens next by reading The Lucy Variations. And for a different type of story told using photos, advertisements, drawings, and youtube videos about a musical prodigy, pick up Chopsticks.