= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Music and Silence - Book Review
He remembers now how his dreams for Frederiksborg preoccupied him. He remembers how, in a single night, he understood that the architecture must strive for order and unity, and proceed in a gradual way, like a piece of music, across the linked islands, towards a climactic structure, and how, at dawn, he woke his Dutch architect, Hans Steenwinckel, and showed him a flurry of drawings. “Hans,” he said, “we must respect what the land is telling us. The logical axis, the logical progression of the buildings, is towards the north, and so this is where the climax must arrive. This is the place that the King must occupy. Beyond it, there must be nothing else; only the light on the water, the diminuendo and then silence…” -From Music and Silence, page 259-
King Christian IV was the King of both Denmark and Norway from 1588 until his death in 1648. Known as a reformer, King Christian IV implemented a series of domestic reforms, built new fortresses, and initiated a policy of overseas trade during his nearly 60 years as Monarch. The year 1629 ushered in a period of financial distress, and domestic unhappiness when the King discovered his second wife - Kirsten Munk - was sustaining an extramarital affair with a German officer. King Christian IV ultimately expelled Kirsten from Copenhagen to live out her days in Jutland - the western, continental part of Denmark which separates the North Sea from the Kattegat and Baltic Sea.
It is this part of King Christian IV’s reign (1629 - 1630) which serves as the backdrop to Rose Tremain’s Whitbread/Costa Award winning novel Music and Silence. This lush story is told from multiple points of view. The manipulative and seductive Kirsten Munk is introduced through her journal entries.
Well, for my thirtieth birthday I have been given a new Looking glass which I thought I would adore. I thought I would dote upon this new Glass of mine. But there is an error in it, an undoubted fault in its silvering, so that the wicked object makes me look fat. I have sent for a hammer. -From Music and Silence, page 7-
Her self-centered musings create a character who is perhaps one of the most intriguing villains in literature…one who is blackly humorous, yet ultimately sad.
The reader also meets Peter Claire - an English lutenist who arrives in Denmark to become part of the royal orchestra - only to become smitten with Kirsten’s female companion Emilia. Throughout the narrative, Tremain intersperses the life of the King in his youth (and his friendship with Bror Brorson which haunts him), with his dreams, turmoils and fears of adulthood.
In Tremain’s competent hands, this historical novel becomes a symphony of romantic twists and turns, and a saga which encompasses all the excesses and political intrigue of royal life in seventeenth century Europe. Tremain explores such complex themes as order vs. chaos, love vs. hate, dreams vs. reality, and betrayal vs. loyalty - all through the metaphor of music and silence. The novel’s thematic elements are connected beautifully to setting, as when King Christian journeys to Norway to spearhead the development of a silver mine during the harsh winter months. He gazes at a waterfall - the Isfoss - which has frozen solid, and imagines the tiny crystals of ice forming in the roaring water.
They acquire thickness, length and weight. The water is transparent clay, moulding them, layer upon layer, and as the layers accumulate, the roar of the river has become muffled. The human ear has to strain to hear it. And then, in the space of a single night, it falls silent. -From Music and Silence, page 107-
It is the beauty of these kinds of images which transform Tremain’s novel from an historical piece of fiction into an extraordinary work of literature. Music and Silence is exceptionally wrought - a delicious tale which I highly recommend.
Topics: Books, Five-Ten Star Books, Main Page |
October 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Great review. I read The Road Home by Rose Tremain earlier this year, and I thought she was a great writer.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I’m not a fan of Tremain’s writing, but you’ve written a very convincing, well supported review.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Great review. Eloquently presented.
Gayla
October 10th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I’m not familiar with this writer but I love this kind of imagery in books. Danish history is a closed book to me as well, so this is going on my list. “A delicious tale” indeed!
October 10th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
This definitely sounds like a book I’d love. Thanks for bringing it to my attention! Excellently written review as well.
October 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Excellent review, very well written! I am not familiar with Tremain’s writing but it sounds a fascinating book!
October 11th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Kathy - The Road Home is next up on my list of books by Tremain…I plan to read it next month.
Linda: What have you read by her before?
Gayla: Thank you so much
Linda in Maine: Tremain’s writing is gorgeous…she is a new to me author this year, but fast becoming a favorite.
Tammy: You’re welcome, and thank you!
Bonnie: Thanks - as I said above, she is new to me this year…and I’m glad I discovered her.
October 11th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I think this will fix the mailer notices…I can’t believe I didnt type this right the first time but then again, I can believe it.
Smiles;
Gayla
October 11th, 2008 at 11:25 am
LOL, Gayla…no problem
I’ve done that before myself!
October 11th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
This sounds really good. I’m adding it to my TBR list. Nice review
October 11th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I enjoyed this one as well, and your review is wonderful!
October 11th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Awesome review Wendy! This sounds like a wonderful book. Have you read Restoration? I tried to read it a few years ago and could not finish it. However, since I have read so many wonderful reviews of some of her other work such as this. I will have to try her again. I added it to my TBR.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Thanks Samantha and Jennifer.
Teddy: I believe Restoration got mixed reviews from readers (I haven’t read it yet). So far I’ve only read this one and The Colour (which I also loved). If you like historical fiction (which I know you do!) and beautiful writing, I think you would like both of these.