This stunning novella depicting the last days of Gustave Mahler will definitely be one of my top reads of 2026. Its emotional power far exceeds its diminutive length. I was transported into the mind of a musical genius, witnessed deep love and great heartache, and mourned the betrayal of an aging body. Lovers of the work of Claire Keegan will gravitate naturally to this book. Like her works, when I finished it, I was inspired to turn it over and read it a second time.
The Last Movement by Robert Seethaler, (List Price: $22, Europa Editions, 9798889661801, April 2026)
Reviewed by Kelly Justice, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA