7

I am trying to recall the title of a novel. It is probably from the 80s (maybe as early as 70s,) in English, USA paperback.

I am pretty sure the cover had a piano keyboard wrapped around a person so he could easily play it. Like 360, or maybe in infinity shape. Not straight, it was curved.

Similar to this:

enter image description here

The MC gets hold of a time machine. I am not sure if he nvented it, inherited it, stole it, or found it.

I think he installed it in his van.

Main plot point: He went back in time and rescued a dying classical musician. Not Bach or Beethoven, but someone a little less well known. (Shubert or Liszt or someone like that.) He was dying of an STD and only had a few days(?) to live, before the MC 'rescued' him, brought him back to the future and cured it. The MC gave him modern instruments/equipment and let him compose. The MC might have then passed the composer's new work off as his own.

I have vague recollections of a title something like "The xxxxxxx Time Machine" but my GoogleFoo is poor and I am not finding anything.

Improve this question
4
  • 1
    Wow, that's a whole lot like scifi.stackexchange.com/q/167097/28516
    – Organic Marble
    Commented Jan 23 at 1:05
  • Is it possible you're misremembering the short Gianni by Silverberg? Gianni Pergolesi is brought forward in time using a time scoop and he becomes a pop musician before dying of a drug overdose.
    – John Rennie
    Commented Jan 23 at 6:11
  • Nope. This was a book. NOT the short story. When I wrote the question, that question popped up as similar, and I read it. But it was NOT the same story I remember. I vividly remember the cover with the keyboard wrapping around the player.
    – NJohnny
    Commented Jan 23 at 6:25
  • There was one from Omni involving Mozart.
    – Spencer
    Commented Jan 23 at 20:10

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
11

This sounds like Mixed Doubles, a novel from 1989 by Daniel da Cruz.

The plot deals with a music student called Justin Pope, who inherits a time machine, and uses it to bring Schubert to the present day. The cover blurb from Goodreads summarises the plot as:

A university student uses a time machine to kidnap Schubert from his deathbed. He brings the master to the present and cures him, then exploits his talents to advance his own career.

The cover indeed shows a piano keyboard wrapped around the player.

Cover of "Mixed Doubles", showing a piano keyboard wrapped around the player.

Improve this answer
2
  • Heh. I would not have read this because after The Ayes of Texas I decided I was done with da Cruz. :D
    – DavidW
    Commented Jan 23 at 20:37
  • Yes, this is the book!. Hmm, Hey I enjoyed The Ayes of Texas when it came out. :p
    – NJohnny
    Commented Jan 24 at 9:19

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.