Lianne
Written on Jan 17, 2014
I found Vienna Nocturne to be a rather quick read: for a historical novel, events move pretty quickly, rather whirlwind. I’m not sure how accurate it is in relation to Anna’s actual rise in the music world but the narrative kept my interest. The reader watches as Anna as she grows up, matures and develops both in her talent and as an adult, weaving through relationships.
The story itself and the characters involved are interesting enough; the reader follows Anna’s rise in success and fame under Joseph II’s empire, performing in Vienna and eventually meeting Mozart. Her relationship with Mozart was also interesting–didn’t quite drew me in the way I thought it would but the author conveyed how they grew close through music.
Vienna Nocturne was an interesting read. Locations and cultures could have been fleshed out further to give a sense of period in the story but I learned a lot about music and opera both within this particular period and in general and had me researching a bit more on Anna’s life and career as a singer.