Private Lessons by Cynthia Salaysay
After seventeen-year-old Claire Alalay’s father’s death, only music has helped her channel her grief. Claire likes herself best when she plays his old piano, a welcome escape from the sadness — and her traditional Filipino mother’s prayer groups. In the hopes of earning a college scholarship, Claire auditions for Paul Avon, a prominent piano teacher, who agrees to take Claire as a pupil. Soon Claire loses herself in Paul’s world and his way of digging into a composition’s emotional core. She pra… Read more.
Trigger & Content Warnings
- Racism
- Statutory rape, on-page
- Paedophilia & grooming
- Teacher-student relationship
- Emotional & verbal abuse
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Death of a parent from cancer