Michel Faber is better known as an inventive novelist, for such varied titles as 'The Crimson Petal and the White', and 'The Book of Strange New Things'. In this book he turns his attention to one of his great passes: music. He explores the subject deeply, and explores what is happening to us when we listen to music, why we listen, the effect of age and illness, what good and bad taste are etc. It's a fascinating book, like having a highly opinionated older brother tell you what's what - sometimes you will agree, sometimes you won't. I've checked out much of the music he likes that I hadn't previously heard of, and found most of it terrible; but i still loved the book. He writes with humour and charm, intelligence and compassion.