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robynldouglas's review against another edition
4.0
One of those books that evokes a specific place and time beautifully, with larger than life characters finely drawn. The story is almost irrelevant; it's about being invited into a handful of people's inner lives and settling in for a long chat. The switches in voice from character to character make it almost feel as you're reading multiple books, and the not-quite-Queen is definitely a character that one loves to hate (or hates to love).
jaymoran's review against another edition
4.0
He holds fast to a shroud. Rain begins to beat down on him and the wind whips his elflock around his neck like a noose, but he pays none of this any heed. In moments, his gaze has returned to the men high above him. They are beginning to furl the topsail, dismantling their airy kingdom inch by inch. And when at last they climb down, some of them boys no older than twelve, King Christian holds out his hand to them in a gesture of admiration. And his eye scans the space of sky where the topsail flew and the rain clouds sweep in, billow upon billow.
After completing Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies, I was desperate for more historical fiction so I decided to pick up a book I've been meaning to read and have had on my bookshelves for years. In spite of being read in the wake of the incomparable Cromwell trilogy, I still thoroughly enjoyed this.
Following a multitude of narratives, a mixture of the fictional and historical, Music & Silence is predominantly a character study, following her characters as they fall in love, err, deceive, betray, reflect, and heal, and, for the most part, it is done beautifully. My favourite moment in the entire book is when we follow a young King Christian IV when he learns of 'shoddy work' and receives a bag of buttons as a gift - that's all I'm going to say, but that was by far my favourite chapter in the book. There are many subtle, gently brilliant instances such as these throughout the novel, and they were a pure delight to read. Some perspectives were more interesting than others; I particularly enjoyed Kirsten Monk's sections as she is so vibrantly selfish yet incredibly soft-hearted and naive at times. I found the fictional characters Peter Claire and Emilia to be a little weak at times, especially in comparison to their real counterparts. King Christian VI and Kirsten Monk were by far the most fascinating voices in here, so the book slipped a little in my favour whenever we strayed, for example, to Peter Claire's narrative.
I found the sexual nature of this book at times gratuitous - it tipped into the lewd sometimes and I found some of it uncomfortable to read (particularly in the character of Magdalena). It just felt out of place with the rest of the book, in my opinion. I also thought that some scenes were overdrawn and, when they were completed, had unsatisfying conclusions. Some story-lines felt pointless and fell really flat, disappearing without another murmur, and I found that perplexing.
Overall, I loved many aspects of this book, and will hopefully pick up Restoration by Tremain soon.
After completing Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies, I was desperate for more historical fiction so I decided to pick up a book I've been meaning to read and have had on my bookshelves for years. In spite of being read in the wake of the incomparable Cromwell trilogy, I still thoroughly enjoyed this.
Following a multitude of narratives, a mixture of the fictional and historical, Music & Silence is predominantly a character study, following her characters as they fall in love, err, deceive, betray, reflect, and heal, and, for the most part, it is done beautifully. My favourite moment in the entire book is when we follow a young King Christian IV when he learns of 'shoddy work' and receives a bag of buttons as a gift - that's all I'm going to say, but that was by far my favourite chapter in the book. There are many subtle, gently brilliant instances such as these throughout the novel, and they were a pure delight to read. Some perspectives were more interesting than others; I particularly enjoyed Kirsten Monk's sections as she is so vibrantly selfish yet incredibly soft-hearted and naive at times. I found the fictional characters Peter Claire and Emilia to be a little weak at times, especially in comparison to their real counterparts. King Christian VI and Kirsten Monk were by far the most fascinating voices in here, so the book slipped a little in my favour whenever we strayed, for example, to Peter Claire's narrative.
I found the sexual nature of this book at times gratuitous - it tipped into the lewd sometimes and I found some of it uncomfortable to read (particularly in the character of Magdalena). It just felt out of place with the rest of the book, in my opinion. I also thought that some scenes were overdrawn and, when they were completed, had unsatisfying conclusions. Some story-lines felt pointless and fell really flat, disappearing without another murmur, and I found that perplexing.
Overall, I loved many aspects of this book, and will hopefully pick up Restoration by Tremain soon.
nadinekc's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, subtle historical novel. The period is evoked through character and plot, not description. The kind of novel that gets better and better the more I think about it.
joanasimao's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hannahm25's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This took ages to read. Far to bitty and a bit dull in places. I wouldn't read again
wildflower37's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written and an enjoyable story to listen to - even though it was 18 hours! I am amazed at the research that must have been done to even dream of this intricate plot (set of plots). Very rich literary fare.
hayleyc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
corrie's review against another edition
5.0
Music & Silence was my first Rose Tremain experience and I have to say I’m completely smitten. I listened to the audiobook available on Scribd with the brilliant narration of Michael Praed (you might remember him from the British 80s tv series Robin of Sherwood), Clare Wille and Alison Dowling.
The story is set in the court of Christian IV of Denmark during the 17th century. You have real historical figures like King Christian IV of Denmark (1588-1648), his 2nd wife and consort Kirsten Munk (1598-1658) who gave him 12 children, Kirsten’s German lover Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Kirsten’s Maid of the Torso Vibeke Kruse to name a few, and fictional ones. The author transported me in such a way, they all became real to me.
The narration was splendid. Michael Praed was such a pleasant surprise and a perfect choice. But the absolute star for me was Clare Wille, who did the voice of lusty Kirsten Munk, she who is perpetually vexed. What a character! I bought the book so I can read it as well at some point. But do yourself a favor and listen to it on Scribd.
I want to read more Rose Tremain and I want to listen to more Clare Wille!
This is what the professionals had to say about it:
‘A superb novel … a wonderful, joyously noisy book’ - Guardian
‘The best thing from Denmark since Hamlet’ - John Julius Norwich
‘With Music & Silence Rose Tremain returns to the historical novel, for which, as Restoration proved, she has a genius. This is evident not just in the richly imagined sense of period and place, but in the humanity of her characters, historical and fictitious; the way she gets under their skin and into their hearts … Tremain has a masterly grip of the intricacies of structure; Music & Silence is narrated through a variety of perspectives, which intersect and illuminate each other, providing both breadth and intimacy … Tremain seems unable to put a foot wrong. Over and over in this novel one is pulled up short by the truth of a sentence or observation, by the lightness and precision of its expression … This is quite simply a wonderful novel – wise, humane and moving’ - Kate Hubbard, Literary Review
m/f
5 Stars
The story is set in the court of Christian IV of Denmark during the 17th century. You have real historical figures like King Christian IV of Denmark (1588-1648), his 2nd wife and consort Kirsten Munk (1598-1658) who gave him 12 children, Kirsten’s German lover Rhinegrave Otto Ludwig, Kirsten’s Maid of the Torso Vibeke Kruse to name a few, and fictional ones. The author transported me in such a way, they all became real to me.
The narration was splendid. Michael Praed was such a pleasant surprise and a perfect choice. But the absolute star for me was Clare Wille, who did the voice of lusty Kirsten Munk, she who is perpetually vexed. What a character! I bought the book so I can read it as well at some point. But do yourself a favor and listen to it on Scribd.
I want to read more Rose Tremain and I want to listen to more Clare Wille!
This is what the professionals had to say about it:
‘A superb novel … a wonderful, joyously noisy book’ - Guardian
‘The best thing from Denmark since Hamlet’ - John Julius Norwich
‘With Music & Silence Rose Tremain returns to the historical novel, for which, as Restoration proved, she has a genius. This is evident not just in the richly imagined sense of period and place, but in the humanity of her characters, historical and fictitious; the way she gets under their skin and into their hearts … Tremain has a masterly grip of the intricacies of structure; Music & Silence is narrated through a variety of perspectives, which intersect and illuminate each other, providing both breadth and intimacy … Tremain seems unable to put a foot wrong. Over and over in this novel one is pulled up short by the truth of a sentence or observation, by the lightness and precision of its expression … This is quite simply a wonderful novel – wise, humane and moving’ - Kate Hubbard, Literary Review
m/f
5 Stars
angelayoung's review against another edition
5.0
The research Tremain must have done for this book is astounding but it never shows. I heard an interview with her on Woman's Hour recently (about her new novel, Merivel, A Man of his Time) in which she quoted Rudyard Kipling's attitude to research. He said (I'm paraphrasing) that you should build up your research the way you build up a fire but when you're actually writing a book you should merely riddle that fire ... and Tremain is a past mistress of that. I loved this book. It has so many stories within it (a way of novel-writing I love ... ) and so many memorable scenes: the musicians in the underground room so that music sounds in the King's rooms as if by magic; and the beautiful beginnings of two of the characters gentle love for each other in those very basement rooms. The mist and the buried clock; the (very) strange appetites of Kirsten Munk and so much more. I look forward to every Tremain novel and am looking forward to reading the sequel to Restoration, to finding out how Merivel develops - he who spoke some of the most wonderful lines about madness in fiction: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/103123.Restoration
gailann's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun book to read in anticipation of visiting Copenhagen. The descriptions of court life at Rosenborg Castle added some interesting context prior to touring the castle museum. Characters are nicely developed and plot is skillful.