Monday, June 30, 2014

HFVBt: Juliet Waldron's Mozart's Wife - Review


My thoughts
Mozart. One of my most favorite composers in history and someone I think I would have very much liked had I met him. This is my second fictional account of Mozart, the first being the 1985 Best Picture Oscar winner, Amadeus. In that account and in this book, Mozart comes alive and the love between him and his beloved Stanzi is evident and endearing.

Told from the point of view of Konstanze "Stanzi" Weber (her surname before she became Mlle. Mozart), we learn early on that Mozart is likable and falls in love easily. He first courts Stanzi's older sister, Aloysia, who treats him most despicably and shuns him, but it seems that this was divine providence because who he was meant to be with was Stanzi all along. However, despite their great love, Mozart was a very difficult person to be married to. I think what comes along with genius a lot of times is a sense of entitlement and Mozart most assuredly had that. It was hard not to feel sorry for Konstanze with all she endured and yet a nod must be given to a woman who stood by a musical genius whose music perhaps may have taken a different turn if not for his marriage to this remarkable woman.

What most impressed me about this novel was how well the characters and dialog were written. It became very easy to get lost in the story and almost feel like I was right there. It takes a talent to pull this off, especially in historical fiction that is set in the past. Waldron has written many historical novels and now that I've read and enjoyed this one, I can't wait to discover her others.

About the book
Publication Date: January 11, 2014
Books We Love, Ltd.
Formats: eBook, Paperback

Winner of the First Independent E-Book Award for Fiction Seventh Annual Virginia Festival of the Book

She Married the World’s First Superstar.

Mozart’s wife aroused strong feelings among her contemporaries. Her in-laws loathed her. Mozart’s friends, more than forty years after his death, remained eager to gossip about her “failures” as wife to the world’s first superstar. Maturing from child to wife to hard-headed widow, Konstanze paid her husband’s debts, provided for their children, and relentlessly marketed and mythologized Mozart. The composer’s letters attest to his affection for Konstanze as well as to their powerful sexual bond. Still, the question remains: Why did she never mark his grave?

Praise for Mozart’s Wife“This is a multi-faceted novel which brilliantly joins the nomenclature of romantic and historical fiction. I would recommend this novel to lovers of music, lovers of history, and just plain lovers.” – Knowbetter.com

“Juliet Waldron brings Konstanze and her wayward genius of a spouse to vivid life. She avoids the pitfall of the biographical novelist by refusing to make either of them the villain, and her insights into character are extraordinary.” – Liz Burton, The Blue Iris Journal

“Mozart’s Wife is a story of love, jealousy, grief and most importantly–forgiveness. …Fast-paced; Ms. Waldron has exquisite, flowing prose. .. a must read” – Kim Murphy, Sime-Gen

“Waldron’s writing is humorous, erotic, and fluid…. Mozart’s Wife is a consuming piece that reminds us that all humans, regardless of talent or skill, are within the boundaries of fault and outside the lines of perfection. I highly recommend this wonderful book.” – Melissa Levine
Buy the Book
Amazon (US) Ebook
Amazon (US) Paperback
Amazon (AU) Ebook
Amazon (CA) Ebook
Amazon (CA) Paperback
Amazon (UK) Ebook
Amazon (UK) Paperback
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About the author
“Not all who wander are lost.” Juliet Waldron earned a B. A. in English, but has worked at jobs ranging from artist’s model to brokerage. Thirty years ago, after the boys left home, she dropped out of 9-5 and began to write, hoping to create a genuine time travel experience for herself–and for her readers. She loves her grand-girls and her kitties, likes to take long hikes, and reads historical/archeological non-fiction as well as reviewing for the Historical Novel Society. For summer adventure, she rides behind her husband of 50 years on his “bucket list” (black, and ridiculously fast) Hyabusa motorcycle.

You can find more information at www.julietwaldron.com or connect with Juliet on Facebook.


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A already owned a Kindle copy of this book when I was invited to be on the tour and write a review. This review is my honest opinion.

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