Mozart's Sister

Book review by Tracey
This novel was yet another Target pick. It was a paperback book with a catchy front cover. Of course, I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did. I have not read Ms. Moser before, but the subject matter appealed to me. Mozart did have a sister who performed with him, but the time period for famous young ladies to be recognized in their own right for their great talent was to be far into the future. The subject matter and the style of writing both reminded me a great deal of another novel, Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. This story is about Nannerl Mozart, the musically talented sister of Wolfgang Mozart. In the tale, we learn that Nannerl yearns for the accolades that her brother receives, and envies him the freedom to make a musical name for himself. She must resign herself to the accepted life for a female of her day, namely to be an obedient daughter and wife. The author did a lot of research, including the reading of many letters written by Leopold Mozart, their father. Although a work of fiction, I found the story line to be very believable. It was easy to identify with Nannerl, not because I’m a frustrated musician, but because many things that are encountered in one’s life are perhaps not what one would choose them to be. Everyone has to accept certain limitations, and try to live them as gracefully as possible.

Tracey.