jlange64's review against another edition
3.0
Historical fiction about young Mozart's involvement and eventual marriage of one of the Weber sisters. In the story you meet and learn all about the Weber family's four daughters and the story is told from their point of view. I enjoyed it but it was just ok.
imyerhero's review against another edition
3.0
I was looking forward to reading this book as a bit of a relaxation from struggling with the life of Andrew Jackson and was pleasantly surprised to find so much more within its covers. Cowell does a fantastic job of turning four women’s early lives into a novel that keeps the reader’s interest and makes us genuinely care about what happens to them.
The story introduces us to the Weber sisters – Josefa, Aloysia, Constanze, and Sophie (who is telling us this story). Each of them influences the musical genius Mozart in their own special way. Sophie becomes his confidant and friend, Aloysia captures his heart with her beauty and voice, Josefa commands his respect with her strength and courage, and Constanze’s personality changes his life forever.
Rather than focus solely on Mozart, which Cowell certainly could have done and gotten away with, the book follows the fortunes of the Weber family. Their mother is constantly trying to marry them off, while they all have their own ideas about their futures. Sometimes they are successful, and sometimes they find they’ve had their hearts shattered. Truly these women can capture your attention and hold it to the very last page.
The story introduces us to the Weber sisters – Josefa, Aloysia, Constanze, and Sophie (who is telling us this story). Each of them influences the musical genius Mozart in their own special way. Sophie becomes his confidant and friend, Aloysia captures his heart with her beauty and voice, Josefa commands his respect with her strength and courage, and Constanze’s personality changes his life forever.
Rather than focus solely on Mozart, which Cowell certainly could have done and gotten away with, the book follows the fortunes of the Weber family. Their mother is constantly trying to marry them off, while they all have their own ideas about their futures. Sometimes they are successful, and sometimes they find they’ve had their hearts shattered. Truly these women can capture your attention and hold it to the very last page.
thebabymochi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
This is a highly enjoyable novel about the lives and times of the four sisters Weber and their relationships with Mozart. The novel starts in 1777 when Mozart first meets the Weber family and ends some 60 years later when the last surviving Weber sister is being interviewed about the past.
Many will enjoy this novel because of the view of Mozart. I enjoyed it more because of the portrayal of the sisters. I have a review of the novel on AMazon.com at http://tinyurl.com/2sndq9 for anyone interested.
Many will enjoy this novel because of the view of Mozart. I enjoyed it more because of the portrayal of the sisters. I have a review of the novel on AMazon.com at http://tinyurl.com/2sndq9 for anyone interested.
g0ddessdeath's review against another edition
I haven't had much a real chance to read this, will come back to it at a later date.
mcastello13's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Historical fiction is probably the only genre for which I am willing to occasionally put up with mediocre writing if I am engaged enough by other aspects of the story. It’s been my favorite type of fiction, by far, for as long as I can remember, and there are aspects of it I will almost always enjoy even if sometimes the storytelling itself isn’t strong.
This was the case for me with this book - the writing is pretty weak, and there were too many inconsistencies and editing errors throughout for me to name them all here without completely boring myself. And yet I admit, I ultimately enjoyed it. I felt pulled into this fascinating Austrian world of music and operas and court politics and, of course, the lives of Mozart and the four Weber sisters. I do wonder just how historically accurate a lot of it was (especially the depiction of Mozart), but you know what? I still had a good time reading it. I just wish it had been written better.
This was the case for me with this book - the writing is pretty weak, and there were too many inconsistencies and editing errors throughout for me to name them all here without completely boring myself. And yet I admit, I ultimately enjoyed it. I felt pulled into this fascinating Austrian world of music and operas and court politics and, of course, the lives of Mozart and the four Weber sisters. I do wonder just how historically accurate a lot of it was (especially the depiction of Mozart), but you know what? I still had a good time reading it. I just wish it had been written better.
samirakatherine's review against another edition
2.0
I had hoped for good, meaty historical fiction, but this was nothing more than a romance novel.
angiehoer7's review against another edition
2.0
I love period pieces but this was a very slow moving book. It would benefit from more intrigue, character development. While the sexual repression was an undertone, you didn't really "feel" the intensity of it or the societal ramifications. It was a love story but when one loves too many sisters from the same family, I begin to doubt his sincerity as a man and loyalty as a lover.
Give it a try, but manage your expectations.
Give it a try, but manage your expectations.
lnatal's review
3.0
The story of young Mozart and the four Weber sisters. However the story is not so exciting as Milos Forman's script.
moremercurial's review
5.0
While this is undoubtedly fiction, it was so wonderful and refreshing to read a book just about the Weber sisters, and dear Constanze, whom I have always loved and admired.
The characterization of Mozart himself in this novel contrasts with many of the modern interpretations of his loud, impulsive, and often reckless nature, which is often blown up to massive proportions. While this version of Mozart is quite a few more pegs down on the volume-setting than that of Mozart in Amadeus, it still remains true to facets of his interesting personality that are evident in his letters at the time.
No Mozart Media is perfect, but this novel received a full five stars from me because it felt real while also engaging me in the drama and romance of the story. The subtlety only made it more delicious. I read the entire thing in a single night and was thoroughly touched by the sweetness of the ending. I could go on about the specifics of the book for ages and will definitely be rereading in the future; I have already re-read once since my initial consumption last winter.
The characterization of Mozart himself in this novel contrasts with many of the modern interpretations of his loud, impulsive, and often reckless nature, which is often blown up to massive proportions. While this version of Mozart is quite a few more pegs down on the volume-setting than that of Mozart in Amadeus, it still remains true to facets of his interesting personality that are evident in his letters at the time.
No Mozart Media is perfect, but this novel received a full five stars from me because it felt real while also engaging me in the drama and romance of the story. The subtlety only made it more delicious. I read the entire thing in a single night and was thoroughly touched by the sweetness of the ending. I could go on about the specifics of the book for ages and will definitely be rereading in the future; I have already re-read once since my initial consumption last winter.