Need help finding story.
March 18, 2013 10:46 AM

Need help tracking down a short story I read in the New Yorker a few years ago.

Sometime between 2003 - 2007 I read a short story in the New Yorker that has stuck with me ever since. The story was about a family (primarily the husband) who was having financial troubles. It centered around the husband/father who did something related to music (teach or tune pianos?). The family had spent a lot of money on getting him a very expensive instrument. The wife was trying to help things out financially through a side business that had something to do with microwaving rice for use as a hand warmer.

I'm pretty sure it was published in a magazine during the years I listed above, but I cannot be 100% sure.

I would appreciate any help in tracking it down. I have spent a long time googling and searching through the New Yorker archives with no luck.

Thanks!
posted by derivation to Media & Arts (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
I don't recall the story, but maybe a look through the titles listed in the New Yorker Fiction Index will jog your memory?
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:51 AM on March 18, 2013


Do you remember what instrument it was?
posted by griphus at 11:03 AM on March 18, 2013


I'm asking because I can do a full-text search of the New Yorker's database, and the instrument name will probably be the most unique thing you can remember. Any other unique/proper name (a person, a street, a company) could work too.
posted by griphus at 11:08 AM on March 18, 2013


I do not remember the type of instrument. Sorry.

I remember that it was something rare and used in classical music. I believe the main character toured Europe with a group playing this instrument at some point. I thought it was similar to a piano, but I could be mistaken.

I appreciate the help.
posted by derivation at 11:12 AM on March 18, 2013


It might be the Eugenides piece, Early Music, referred to in this article.

New Yorker;10/10/2005, Vol. 81 Issue 31, p72
posted by sciencegeek at 12:07 PM on March 18, 2013


Here's an excerpt and it appears it was a clavichord.
posted by sciencegeek at 12:08 PM on March 18, 2013


That is it!!!

A million thanks!
posted by derivation at 12:27 PM on March 18, 2013


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