The Findlings: A look at the Meaning of Bibi’s Music

In chapter four of The Findlings, the reader is given the first glimpse of Bibi interacting with music. In that chapter, she has more important things on her mind, but Chopin’s "First Ballade" streams through her car’s radio, to her distraction. This piece is important to the entire narrative because it is one of several elements working to break open Bibi’s suppressed memories

"Joanne Wilshin's THE FINDLINGS is an emotional exploration of the impact of adoption on identity. Through its believable and struggling characters, readers are able to understand the complexity of family in all of its forms." IndieReader.com

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Read "The Findlings Blog" for fascinating background details and for more on Joanne's continued search to find her birthfather's side of her family.

Also, read about the music associated with the Victor character in The Findlings.

and her very guarded emotions. The "First Ballade" (Ballade No. 1 in G Minor) shows up throughout the book, especially since Bibi decides to learn to play the music, thereby embodying it. At minute 3:08 you can hear the moment her memory full on recognized the music, though not its composer. Here it is:

Bibi loves Beethoven and kind of thrills at some of the stuff he gets away with in his music. In a way, he is a role model for her. He reminds her who she is when she cannot remember. When she decides to play Beethoven’s Waldstein (Sonata No. 21 in C Major) in chapter four, she subconsciously chose it for its adamancy. She relied on it to speak her truth. While she’s playing the Waldstein, she muses at the gall and skill Beethoven showed when composing, basically a one-note riff to start off the second movement of his Seventh Symphony.
Here they are:

Three rock songs show up in narrative that connect with Bibi’s life. The first, Stephen Stills’s “Love the One You’re With,” works as a sort of barometer in her life, which she senses is falling apart regardless of her efforts to keep it together.

Kim Carnes’s “Bette Davis Eyes” is especially poignant to Bibi because from Bibi's perspective Bette has what Bibi doesn’t: the ability to control and consciously activate what’s going on around her.

Lastly, Electric Light Orchestra’s “Hold on Tight to Your Dreams”, shows up at the perfect time for her, as if by grace. We all need cheerleaders with their pom poms and megaphones. This piece was exactly that for Bibi, and it made all the difference. I see it as one of the perfect anthems to hear just before reaching a tipping point. Enjoy.