"He thinks he loves people, but it's music he loves. I formed him for music and he belongs to music, but it won't give him a life. He can't make his way in the world, and for any woman to marry a man like that would be a disaster."A cross between Little Women and a Jane Austen book, Marrying Mozart is an absolutely delightful historical novel! Set in 1777, it tells the story of the four Weber sister who befriend a struggling twenty-one year old composer by the name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Through strong musical interests and a mutual fondness, Mozart and the Weber sisters develop a strong friendship which becomes complicated when he falls in love with one of the sisters while he simultaneously struggles to get his musical career off it's feet.This book centers around each sisters' relationship with Mozart, however Stephanie Cowell also explores the intricacies of the familial relationships of her well-developed characters. The close knit bond between the Weber sisters is heartbreaking, their loving father is kind and endearing, and their manipulative and high-strung mother is utterly exhausting. As the story unfolded, I was captivated by these relationships and anxious to find out how Mozart would resolve his questionable affiliation with the Weber family, and I was curious to find out how much of the novel was centered in truth. (It's at least loosely based in reality from what I read on wikipedia).I highly recommend this book for anybody who enjoys a good love story, for anybody who has a complicated relationship with a sister or mother, and for anybody who is familiar with Mozart's music. I'm sure the book is even more enjoyable for those who are familiar with classical music, but I loved it even without that kind of background knowledge. It was the kind of novel that, anxious as I was to find out how it ended, made me sad to finally finish.
I came to this book with general notions of Mozart's personality and character. One perception was that he was a victim of parental emotional abuse by what we call today, "stage parents". Cowell seems to agree and fleshes out the portrait of Mother and Father Mozart manipulating their talented son instilling in him an obligation to them for their "suffering" on his behalf. Cowell gives an emotional life to the young Mozart's actions, but not so much as to define what we call today the "neediness" that might account for them.Cowell sketches a plausible personality for each of the Weber girls based on birth order and what is known of them. She gives Mozart a sensitivity to each of them, and creates dynamics that draw him into each's orbit. Indeed, they become a family to him. Like Laurie in Little Women, Mozart is bound to marry one of them. Of course, this fiction must parallel real life.A year or so ago I read "Mozart's Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music". The strongest impressions that remain with me from it are the relationships with mother, sister and wife. I will have to return to it to review the record on the other Weber females.It took me a little bit to get into the story and I don't know why. The writing is good, and the dialog and characters fit. Perhaps it is because there are a number of scene switches in the first 50 pages that it is hard to feel comfortable in guessing where it is going. I almost dropped it, but after 50 pages I was glad I didn't.
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Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell is a most delightful and easy-to-read story. When I first glanced at the book cover I thought it would be about Mozart and while he is a key character the main characters are the four Weber sisters from a poor musical family. Mozart falls in love with the second oldest daughter and her lovely soprano voice. Alyosia, beautiful and self-centered, seeks fame and wealth. Mozart knows that at 17 he cannot support a wife and asks Aloysia to wait until he can. She agrees but is attracted to another when she gains a contract as an opera singer. This man provides an escape from her childhood family. However, Mozart's association with the Weber family continues. Check out Marrying Mozart to discover how it affects his life and what happens to the Weber sisters.
—Rusty
Cowell's novel portrays Mozart as a passionate, determined young man and focuses on his relationships with the four Weber sisters. Mozart first meets Fridolin Weber, a music copyist, and his four daughters when he and his mother arrive in Mannheim. The second eldest girl, Aloysia, captivates Mozart, who finds her singing talent is matched by her beauty. Against the wishes of his mother, Mozart proposes to Aloysia, but he can't marry her until he makes his fortune. His dream is to be able to compose operas for a living, but when Idomeneo closes after just a few performances, Mozart is forced to beg the arrogant archbishop of Salzburg for a position. Aloysia, who dreams of fame and fortune as an opera singer, elopes with a portraitist. Mozart is heartbroken, but little does he know that true love lies with another Weber sister. As much about the four Weber sisters as it is about Mozart, Cowell's novel is an engaging look at Mozart's colorful world and his struggles during his early twenties
—Caitlin Wild
It was a great and feel-good read. Stephanie wrote the story well that I couldn't put down the book. :) It was an informative and entertaining book. Thank you for writing such a nice piece. :)I hope to see you in heaven, Mozart. I will personally listen to you play your operas and other compositions. You have inspired me through your unwavering determination to give and present what you can offer to the world - your music. You ceaselessly stood up inspite countless rejections- at different places by different people -even by your own father.Your love, dedication and passion for music was so unfathomable. I salute and highly respect you. :) In another life, I would want to be a musician and play your songs happily. ^_^
—Kohi
