What are you reading? The piano Tuner by Chiang-Sheng Kuo

 Noelia's contribution

The book

Source: Amazon

I am grateful to everyone who supported me in learning English as a second language. This has enabled me to read novels such as The Piano Tuner by Chiang-Sheng Kuo, a Taiwanese author translated into English, broadening my literary experiences.

The Piano Tuner is a short novel. In the first two chapters, the story centers on Lin San, a businessman married to the pianist Emily. From the third chapter onwards, however, the narrator takes centre stage and becomes the driving voice of the story.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its narrative style: simple yet poetic, with music frequently used as a metaphor for life itself. Throughout the book, themes such as loss, grief, and friendship are thoughtfully explored.

One chapter stands out in particular—chapter three. Perhaps because I am a teacher, I found its reflection on the importance of teacher motivation especially powerful, highlighting how educators can empower students and help them fully develop their abilities.

That said, the novel is not without its flaws. Some character arcs feel incomplete, and the ending is abrupt and rushed. Several stories, particularly Emily’s, are left unresolved, and the reader is never given a clear sense of her relationship with the narrator.

As a result, I find myself conflicted about recommending this book. While I deeply appreciated its lyrical narrative and thematic depth, the lack of closure in key storylines ultimately weakens its overall impact.

The Author

Source: Ministry of Culture of Taiwan

Here’s a brief biography of Chiang-Sheng Kuo, the Taiwanese author of The Piano Tuner:

Chiang-Sheng Kuo is one of contemporary Taiwan’s most acclaimed writers, known for his elegant prose and deep explorations of memory, identity, and emotion. He earned a Ph.D. in drama from New York University (NYU) and serves as a professor in the Department of Language and Creative Writing at National Taipei University of Education in Taiwan.

Kuo has published numerous novels, essays, and plays over his long career, establishing a reputation as a “writer’s writer” in Taiwanese literary circles. His work has received many of Taiwan’s major literary honors, including the Taiwan Literature Golden Award, the Golden Tripod Award, the Openbook Book of the Year Award, and the United Daily Literature Award.

His novel The Piano Tuner, first published in 2020, became a bestseller in Taiwan and swept the country’s top literary prizes. It is also his first book to be translated into English and has been published in numerous languages worldwide.

Kuo lives in Taipei, where he continues to write and teach.