"Interesting and Factual Historical Figure"

The name of the great Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart, is well known but little has ever been revealed about his equally brilliant older sister Nannerl until now. Five years older than her six-year-old brother Wolfie, an indulgent father took them on a grand tour seeking the fame and fortune he insisted his 'Wunderkind' child prodigies deserved. During the tour, Nannerl would see herself pushed to the side as her younger sibling stole the limelight with outrageous behavior and cute tricks. As they grew older the father's favoritism pushed Nannerl further into the shadows indulging and favoring the young precocious Wolfie.

Although steadfast in her love for her father Nannerl yearned for her chance at fame but resigned herself to disappointment then disillusionment of ever gaining the musical recognition so freely given to her brother. Life for Nannerl was not always fair and as she entered into adulthood and near spinsterhood happiness was still elusive until she chanced to fall in love. Nannerl's faith would be tested often throughout the years until finally coming to realize her place in the love of her family and God.

*** This is a beautifully written and well researched book that is extremely accurate based upon the prodigious amount of correspondence that Leopold Mozart (the father) insisted be kept. Told in the first person, it covers 30 years in the life of Mozart's sister who because of her sex and the times was never given the opportunity to shine. It portrays the father as a demanding task-master who indulged and directed his children's lives to their later detriment. Through good times, bad, financial windfalls and losses, sickness and death the author immerses the reader into the period invoking all the appropriate emotions and testing Nannerl's faith in herself and in God. At times it was so sad I needed to put it down over the injustice of watching a vibrant young soul kept because of her gender from the fame she was entitled to. History lovers should find the historical tidbits, of which there are many, to be fascinating and for that purpose it will find an appreciative audience.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO -- Reviewers International Organization

Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
Posted February 21, 2007