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Michelle
Fictionalized History
I was hooked on this story from the start. One of my favorite types of books are the ones that tell history in story format so you really enjoy learning about the past. This story was not a disappointment. I got a very good sense of Mozart's childhood and enjoyed learning a bit about his family life. His sister was a very stong character in her own right and the mix of fantasy & fiction kept me interested till the very end!
Peggy
Mozart Sonata
Mozart's sister, Nannerl, was a very talented musician in her own right. If there had been no Mozart could this woman have taken his place?
The talent was there but females had one role in that time and it wasn't composing music, writing operas and such. All the advantages that Nannerl had before her brother's birth were lost the moment he showed his talent.
Charbonnier tempts us with love letters to start off and from there on this is a tale of passion, love, music, resentment, ambition and ego. Nannerl's love for her brother warred with her desire to have what he had.
She may have stepped back for her brother
…more but I doubt she ever accepted fully the role she was cast in. Yet what a life it must have been and what dreams she had despite everything.
Written as fiction it incorporates real characters, real events and filling in between the lines of Nannerl's life to pose how it all might have been.
If you think you know Mozart's life, you haven't met his sister and heard her side of the story. This is a very bittersweet tale and well worth the read. (less)For anyone with an interest in music, history or just a touching story about family, desire, opportunities lost, opportunities gained. A wonderful book that expertly blends fact and fiction to provide a window into an historic family and to create characters that linger long after the final page is read.
Stephanie
Complex female character
Part history, part romance, part coming-of-age,
Mozart's Sister describes the difficulty Nannerl has growing up in the shadow of her larger-than-life younger brother. Whether we sympathize with Nannerl or are frustrated with her stubbornness, we are drawn along anxious to know whether she will find happiness in herself or forever be a victim of a society that oppressed her because she was a girl. The novel has an interesting structure, some told in letters, some told in prose, and parts are given names of musical movements. The musical passages are descriptive and almost bring the music alive. I would highly
…more recommend this novel to any reading group because there is much to discuss in the complex character of Nannerl. (less)I enjoyed reading this book, although parts were a bit difficult to get through. The beginning of the book was interesting, watching the interplay of the siblings and their growing knowledge of music. The middle of the book was more difficult to get through, as Nannerl, the main character, becomes quite boorish and the action slows down considerably. Things pick up in the end of the book, however, making it worth while to finish.
Virginia
Mozart's Sister
I enjoyed the book. While I found it slow to start, all of a sudden I found myself absorbed by Nannerl's life and then the story was over. The book made me want to find out more about Nannerl and her relationship with her brother -- though I'm sure it was similar to all siblings today: a love/hate relationship.
I think this book would do very well as a book club selection.
Catherine
Mozart, Dad, Mom and I or the dysfunctional family
I discovered Mozart the brother, the child, the man completely different from Mozart the musical genius and the picture is far from a nice one.
Despite a very unorganized story, I did enjoy the book.
As for Mrs. Charbonnier, I would say "talented writer but can do better".
Betty
Long Name, Short Career
I have been interested in the life of genius composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ever since seeing the movie "Amadeus" several years ago. This novel about the life of his sister, Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart, sheds new light on the Mozart family.
Fraulein Mozart (Nannerl to the family) had musical talent very nearly equal to that of her illustrious brother. Modern readers will be incensed at Herr Mozart's unilateral decision that Nannerl must give up her dreams of developing her talent and become a music teacher to support the family while the favored son, Wolfgang, develops and displays his talents in the
…more capitals of Europe.
This book is an easy read and presents insight into the lives of a middle class family in Eighteenth Century Europe. The only quibble I have is with some awkward phrasing which may stem from the translation of the work into English from the Italian. (less)
