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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The fascinating story of Alma Schindler Mahler Gropius Werfel. Awarded four stars on Goodreads.
I first learned about Alma as a child when I heard Tom Lehrer’s satirical ditty, Alma. I learned that this captivating Viennese woman was famous for marrying three brilliant and artistic giants of the 20th century [composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), architect Walter Gropius (1883-1969), author Franz Werfel (1890-1945)]. What I did NOT learn until reading THIS book, was that Alma was the daughter of artist Emil Jakob Schindler (1842-1892), grew up amid artitist of the Viennese Secession movement, and was also a talented composer in her own right. At least she was until she was forced to set aside her own aspirations at the insistence of husband Gustav Mahler, an already established composer 20+ years her senior. It seems Mahler (and his monumental ego) insisted Alma be 100% dedicated to looking after him, with no other distractions!
Getting to know Alma by reading ECSTASY was a revelation. As author Mary Sharratt acknowledges in her Historical Afterword, Alma is no easy subject for historical fiction. As a woman possessed with talent, ambition, confidence, and beauty — she was simply born at the wrong time. Mahler’s expectation that, as his wife, Alma would subsume her own desires to promote his was the norm for this era. Which means her contemporaries often write about her as some kind of seductress, harlot or unnatural man-eater.
But even under these limitations inherent in primary research materials, Sharratt succeeds in revealing Alma’s psyche, believably portraying her as a smart and gifted musician whose talent was squelched for many years by a sexist society. Sharratt’s Alma is a woman who could not be completely fulfilled through the traditional roles of wife and mother and instead yearned for her own artistic expression, professional success, and love with someone who considered her an equal, rather than subservient. A woman who is continually questioning herself.
ECSTASY covers Alma’s life from childhood until her second marriage. It’s a wonderful book to read from a 21st century feminist perspective. And I hope that one day Mary Sharratt decides to continue Alma’s story in a sequel.
I first learned about Alma as a child when I heard Tom Lehrer’s satirical ditty, Alma. I learned that this captivating Viennese woman was famous for marrying three brilliant and artistic giants of the 20th century [composer Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), architect Walter Gropius (1883-1969), author Franz Werfel (1890-1945)]. What I did NOT learn until reading THIS book, was that Alma was the daughter of artist Emil Jakob Schindler (1842-1892), grew up amid artitist of the Viennese Secession movement, and was also a talented composer in her own right. At least she was until she was forced to set aside her own aspirations at the insistence of husband Gustav Mahler, an already established composer 20+ years her senior. It seems Mahler (and his monumental ego) insisted Alma be 100% dedicated to looking after him, with no other distractions!
Getting to know Alma by reading ECSTASY was a revelation. As author Mary Sharratt acknowledges in her Historical Afterword, Alma is no easy subject for historical fiction. As a woman possessed with talent, ambition, confidence, and beauty — she was simply born at the wrong time. Mahler’s expectation that, as his wife, Alma would subsume her own desires to promote his was the norm for this era. Which means her contemporaries often write about her as some kind of seductress, harlot or unnatural man-eater.
But even under these limitations inherent in primary research materials, Sharratt succeeds in revealing Alma’s psyche, believably portraying her as a smart and gifted musician whose talent was squelched for many years by a sexist society. Sharratt’s Alma is a woman who could not be completely fulfilled through the traditional roles of wife and mother and instead yearned for her own artistic expression, professional success, and love with someone who considered her an equal, rather than subservient. A woman who is continually questioning herself.
ECSTASY covers Alma’s life from childhood until her second marriage. It’s a wonderful book to read from a 21st century feminist perspective. And I hope that one day Mary Sharratt decides to continue Alma’s story in a sequel.
I enjoyed reading about Alma Schindler; I hadn't known that she was also a composer. The portrayal of Gustav Mahler and his music was also well done. I do wish that the novel could have covered more of Alma's life after Mahler's death to reinforce the idea that she is her own woman. At times, the writing style was a bit overdone.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A historical fiction about a young girl named Alma Schindler, this novel explores her life and marriage to Gustav Mahler. Forced to sacrifice her own dreams in order to appease her husband.
I enjoyed how morally gray all characters were, Alma was a fascinating and enjoyable protagonist, however of course the star of this book has to be the relationship between Alma and Gustav. At one moment I’d hate Gustav and the next I’d be tearing up, the author really allows the reader to understand Alma’s own inner conflict between loving such a genius yet difficult man and what she had to forfeit.
Initially I assumed going into this book that Mahler would just be a typical evil older man, preying on a young girl’s innocence and naïveté. But as their marriage progresses and both age, it was interesting to read how their dynamics changed. Especially at the end.
Throughout the book it does get a bit boring especially when they travel to New York. There are times where I feel like Alma is a broken record player parroting the same thoughts over and over again.
I was really surprised at the many sad moments in this book and how well they were written. What shocked me the most was how the ending made me feel. The Last few chapters raised this book from a 3.5 to a 3.75 rating.
I also liked how Alma’s relationship with her mother and sister changes through the novel. And as Alma begins to experience motherhood and marriage it was really impactful how it changed her perspective on certain characters (the females in her life) and how it allowed her to better bond with them.
It was very evident how Alma changes as the years progress, she was a dynamic character and it was really intense reading this novel.
I enjoyed how morally gray all characters were, Alma was a fascinating and enjoyable protagonist, however of course the star of this book has to be the relationship between Alma and Gustav. At one moment I’d hate Gustav and the next I’d be tearing up, the author really allows the reader to understand Alma’s own inner conflict between loving such a genius yet difficult man and what she had to forfeit.
Initially I assumed going into this book that Mahler would just be a typical evil older man, preying on a young girl’s innocence and naïveté. But as their marriage progresses and both age, it was interesting to read how their dynamics changed. Especially at the end.
Throughout the book it does get a bit boring especially when they travel to New York. There are times where I feel like Alma is a broken record player parroting the same thoughts over and over again.
I was really surprised at the many sad moments in this book and how well they were written. What shocked me the most was how the ending made me feel. The Last few chapters raised this book from a 3.5 to a 3.75 rating.
I also liked how Alma’s relationship with her mother and sister changes through the novel. And as Alma begins to experience motherhood and marriage it was really impactful how it changed her perspective on certain characters (the females in her life) and how it allowed her to better bond with them.
It was very evident how Alma changes as the years progress, she was a dynamic character and it was really intense reading this novel.
I read Mary Sharratt's Illuminations before picking up this one, and I have to say I'm disappointed. It wasn't bad, but I just didn't like the main character. She was almost never happy with her life (understandably so, honestly), and that made it difficult to enjoy the story. And she constantly looked down on other women, except for those who were unmarried artists. There was no climax to the plot, at least none that stood out to me, and I felt that the story plodded along at times. Just not as gripping as Sharratt's other work!
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First off is that I read about half of the book. The main character Alma was bothering me almost from the beginning. It is all about another era another century and she is based on someone who did live and who came from a wealthy family in Vienna and her deceased father Emil Schindler was slightly known as an artist and then there was her stepfather her mother her sister. Alma is a pianist who composes. Early in the book she is I think 19 and falls for Klimt and he desires her. Nothing happens cause her mother and stepfather intervene. Then there is Gustav Mahler 20 yrs her senior and a single famous man. He falls for her too. They get engaged and then he writes her a horrible letter castigating her and warning her that to marry him she has to subvert herself to him.
I already was exasperated by this "tale" so I began to research Alma Mahler and the more I read about her life and her many children from various men and her 3 marriages I knew it was time to return the book to the library.
So Be It
Judy
I already was exasperated by this "tale" so I began to research Alma Mahler and the more I read about her life and her many children from various men and her 3 marriages I knew it was time to return the book to the library.
So Be It
Judy
Ecstasy doesn't reinvent the wheel, but in the genre of 'turn-of-the-century biopics featuring a Strong Female Protagonist battling the standards of her time' it's the strongest entry I've read this year. The writing is as lush as the cover art & Mary Sharratt does an excellent job capturing a woman who's life is frustrating and inspiring in turn.
And interesting and often frustrating book to read. While the beginning of the 20th century saw a lot of innovations and progress in women's rights, it still was suffering from centuries of women being considered second class citizens to their husbands. Alma grows up in Vienna during a renaissance of art and culture. The child of an artist and an opera singer Alma is given opportunities to perfect her piano playing. However, marriage is still considered to be a major part of her future. While Alma would prefer to follow her passion the fear of her falling into the "third sex", women who choose career over marriage, is a major concern.
Alma like any 19 year old is easily impressionable, falls in love to quickly, and is dreamer. When she meets her future husband she agrees to sacrifice her passion for music to be the perfect wife for her husband, as there cannot be two musical talents in one household.
While there are times Alma and Gustav seem to be in love, the creative sacrifices Alma makes leaves her incredibly depressed, and after familial hardships Alma and Gustav are like two strangers living together.
Their relationship, and Alma's sacrifices take the main stage in this book. Several scenes had me cussing at Gustav and a few at Alma as well. But I thought this book did a great job painting what life was like for women who excelled in creative outlets and what it could do to someone to have that stymied. I also thought the author showed the ebb's and flows in this marriage and many marriages both then and now in a understanding and reflective light.
Alma like any 19 year old is easily impressionable, falls in love to quickly, and is dreamer. When she meets her future husband she agrees to sacrifice her passion for music to be the perfect wife for her husband, as there cannot be two musical talents in one household.
While there are times Alma and Gustav seem to be in love, the creative sacrifices Alma makes leaves her incredibly depressed, and after familial hardships Alma and Gustav are like two strangers living together.
Their relationship, and Alma's sacrifices take the main stage in this book. Several scenes had me cussing at Gustav and a few at Alma as well. But I thought this book did a great job painting what life was like for women who excelled in creative outlets and what it could do to someone to have that stymied. I also thought the author showed the ebb's and flows in this marriage and many marriages both then and now in a understanding and reflective light.
Biography of Alma Mahler. "The Alma Problem". I loved how the author was able to write a fully three dimensional character about a woman who is often rendered to be a man-eater or a liar.