The Small Rain

The Small Rain chronicles nine formative years in the life of Katherine Forrester, a young piano prodigy navigating loss and isolation in mid-20th century New York and Switzerland. The story begins when Katherine is ten years old, living with a family friend while pursuing her musical education and occasional acting work. Katherine's world shifts between different guardians and environments as she copes with her mother's death and her father's emotional distance. Her education takes her to a Swiss boarding school, where she struggles to find her place among peers and teachers until meeting an inspiring piano instructor. Music serves as both Katherine's anchor and source of tension throughout the novel, as she works to develop her talent while managing others' expectations. Her journey parallels that of her late mother, also a concert pianist. The novel explores themes of artistic dedication, identity formation, and the challenge of maintaining human connection while pursuing excellence in one's craft. Through Katherine's experiences, the book examines how early loss and isolation can shape a young artist's development.

Readers find this early L'Engle novel darker and more mature than her later works. Many note the raw, honest portrayal of Katherine's coming-of-age journey and relationships. Readers appreciate: - Complex characters who evolve throughout the story - Realistic depiction of artistic life and musical training - Exploration of grief and loneliness - L'Engle's sophisticated writing style Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Katherine can be difficult to sympathize with - Religious themes feel heavy-handed to some readers - Dated social attitudes and dialogue Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) Reader quotes: "The emotional depth surprised me" - Goodreads reviewer "Too brooding and introspective for my taste" - Amazon reviewer "Shows L'Engle's early promise as a writer" - LibraryThing review Several readers note this book works better for adults than young readers, despite being marketed as young adult fiction.

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🎵 L'Engle drew from her own experiences as a young artist in New York City while writing The Small Rain, including her time studying at boarding schools and pursuing a career in theater. 📚 The book's title comes from a passage in Shakespeare's "The Tempest": "The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the small rain from heaven." 🎹 Katherine Forrester's character returns as an adult in L'Engle's later novel "A Severed Waist" (1965), continuing her story as a professional pianist. ✨ The novel was L'Engle's first published book for adults, appearing several years before her famous children's fantasy "A Wrinkle in Time." 🎨 The book's portrayal of artistic education in 1930s America provides valuable historical insight into the elite cultural institutions of pre-war New York City, particularly in music and dance.