Product Description

In the concluding volume of John Suchet's fascinating fictional biography of Ludwig van Beethoven, the reader witnesses the great dramas of the composer's final years, as his growing deafness becomes the source for unrelenting misery - and ever more sublime music. This is the era of the 'Battle' Symphony, the Seventh, the Diabelli Variations, the Missa Solemnis, the Ninth and the 'Ode To Joy', of monumental pieces composed in solitude and performed with ferocious energy to rapturous audiences in Austria and Germany. After his love for his 'Eternally Beloved' is finally consigned to the past, Beethoven's return to Vienna in 1813 marks the advent of a gloriously creative period, and we see him discover renewed artistic purpose amid a city celebrating the defeat of Napoleon. Meticulously researched yet told in a vividly readable style, everything in the novel is true: there is nothing that could not have happened. It is a story as immortal as the music itself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163577 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 401 pages

Review
'an admirable picture of a creative life' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'a novel of great seriousness and integrity' - MAIL ON SUNDAY

MAIL ON SUNDAY
* 'a novel of great seriousness and integrity'

DAILY TELEGRAPH
* "A very good story indeed"

Customer Reviews

A brilliant achievement
To write a biography without having met the person is difficult enough. To write about a genius is that much harder. First what this book will not do for you. It will not draw you in by flowery writing. It will not make you cry with laughter due to the cleverness or wit of the author. And that is just about it. Now what it will do for you. It will thrill you to live within the mind of a genius. It will teach you more about his music then any other paper - speech - university course. I started this book (or three as they were then) and finished them in a week. The next time you go see the 9th you will either cry or rise shouting Beethoven's name. You will - you will - be a richer person for having read this book. My hearty congratulations to John Suchet and my eternal gratitude.

Thoroughly entertaining - good read
John Suchet has captured the essence of the character of Beethoven in this book. It is not meant as a biography but rather as a novel describing the kind of life Beethoven probably led. I found it superbly written and a great read from start to finish, The only drawback is that this book is the first of 3 with a seemingly endless period between publication of the next parts.

Brilliant!!
Having read the reviews by other readers about this trilogy I bought the first one, which I couldn't put down, and am nearly at the end of this, the 2nd one.. which I also can't put down!!
I've just ordered the 3rd one!!

They are a thoroughly gripping read, even if you're not particularly interested in Beethoven, but even more so if you are!!