My Nine Lives

A delight. . . . Deeply felt, well-structured . . . . A great rarity. -- Wall Street Journal A book that is thrilling as much for its narrative suspense as for its psychological sensitivity and intellectual insights. -- Washington Post Here's the real story, terrifically and frankly told, along with an enjoyable sprinkling of gossip and just enough insights to justify his reputation as the Obi-Wan Kenobi of pianists. -- Los Angeles Times A remarkable story, beautifully told. I think it will fascinate anyone interested in a life (or nine) lived to the hilt, from the highest peaks to the deepest valleys and - hallelujah! - back up again. It's a great read: inspirational, cliff-hanging, informative, funny, horrific. (And furthermore, most of it is true.) --Gary Graffman Amazingly informative. . . . Mr. Fleisher's musicality jumps off the page. This is a very human story, beautifully told. -- The Washington Times Leon Fleisher, one of our most prodigiously talented musicians, has lived a very rich human life--many lives--reinventing himself, after a career-ending injury, as a teacher and conductor, before ultimately returning to performance. His book, like the man himself, is warm, witty, honest, and wise--and full of vivid portraits of the world of professional musicians. A bravura performance. --Oliver Sacks, M.D. Poignantly portray[s] the physical and mental turbulence of being a prodigy. . . . A great rarity--a book that tells the story of a personal and public triumph and also conveys an artist's all pervading love for the instrument that has been with him for a lifetime. -- The Wall Street Journal Leon Fleisher's My Nine Lives is a modern-day musical 'Odyssey'. His recounting of a fascinating life is told with great candor and philosophical wit. Musicians, of course, will gobble up this memoir from a legendary pianist; non-musicians will be enthralled by these adventures in both the outer and inner worlds of a great man. In short: a wonderful retelling of a truly epic life. --AndrE Watts His performances are richly detailed in every way and with beautiful proportions. . . . [A] well-written book. -- California Chronicle In this candid memoir, Leon describes the many lives he has led and conveys one of the most significant of lessons: transforming adversity into triumph--and into wisdom. --Yo-Yo Ma Entertaining. . . . [Musical excerpts] will sound even better now that we know the story behind them. -- Buffalo News Leon Fleisher is a giant among musicians. His memoir recounts the joys and sorrows of a most eventful life with the same characteristics as his playing - unflinching honesty, a probing intellect, and a very great generosity of spirit. This is a book to cherish, offering much wisdom to the reader. Read it and listen. -- Ara Guzelimian, Provost and Dean of The Juilliard School