Love is Blind

William Boyd's latest novel unravels a captivating tale set during the transitional phase at the close of the 1800s. The protagonist, Brodie Moncur, is a young musician from Scotland, ready to embark on the defining journey of his life. When Brodie is presented with a job opportunity in Paris, he eagerly accepts, viewing it as an escape from his oppressive father, a domineering clergyman in Edinburgh, and a chance to immerse himself in a vastly different world.

In Paris, a serendipitous meeting with a renowned pianist sets Brodie's future on an unexpected course, igniting a fervent and consuming romance with Lika Blum, a stunning Russian soprano. As Brodie traverses cities from Paris to St Petersburg, back to Edinburgh and beyond, this intense love and its perilous consequences follow him relentlessly through a Europe on the brink of a new century.

Love is Blind intricately weaves a narrative of intense passion and merciless vengeance, intertwined with the pursuit of artistic aspiration and the deceptions it fosters. It explores the myriad possibilities life holds and how swiftly they can be snatched away. This novel seamlessly blends a personal story of one man’s life with a broad depiction of the early twentieth century, showcasing Boyd's prowess as a beloved British storyteller.