The story of the Weber sisters and their relationship with and influence on the young Mozart could be dry and dull - but it isn't. Each of the characters has a clear, distinct personality and their interrelationships are fascinating. And the portrait of the age and the joys and burdens of musicians are also quite well done. Bravo! ( )

Mozart is a composer whose music I really like so it was great to read this book based on events in the life of the young Mozart. The book tells of his meeting with the four Webber sisters at one of their father's Thursday musical salons, and his ongoing relationship with the family. Frau Webber has great plans for her four daughters to marry well, and Mozart's mother desires to accompany her son on his travels to gain sponsors for his musical career. Mozart feels much at home in the Webber household, falling in love and becoming betrothed to one of the sisters but the marriage never takes place as Mozart is forced to attend to the obligations his family place on him and travel to Paris in pursuit of opportunity. Both families have to deal with tragedy. The Webber sisters lose their father, and Mozart after losing his mother returns to live with the Webbers in the boarding house Frau Webber now runs. The book paints a detailed picture of the times, and of the struggles of the Webber sisters, and of course Mozart, who is no longer a child progidy, to succeed in the musical world. The hopes, dreams and frustrations of each of the sisters are well described, and we learn of Mozart's eventual marriage to another of the sisters. Well worth a read! ( )

Wonderfully written. ( )

This historic fiction tells the story of Mozart as relates to his wife's family, the Webers. It really tells the story of the Webers and thereby the story of Mozart. The novel only covers the years until Mozart's marriage to Constanza Weber but presents a very different Mozart from the one in the movie Amadeus. The time period of this novel seems to be the "lost years of Mozart" between his child prodigy years and his prolific opera writing years, providing the reader the chance to fill in the gap. This is a good read for anyone interested in Mozart. ( )

Interesting, but not too deep. ( )