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The First Violin
First published in 1877, The First Violin is told in first person from two points of view. It begins with May Wedderburn living a quiet existence in a small town in England. Her quiet is disrupted when she attracts the attentions of the local wealthy landowner, Sir Peter. May has no interest in Sir Peter's offer of marriage and is even a bit afraid of him. Enter the town recluse Miss Hallam who offers to whisk May away to Germany where music and excitement await her immediately upon arrival.
588 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1877
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 13, 2022
What fun it was to read this almost gothic novel by Jessie Fothergill! It is the story of May Wedderburn, a young English girl who flees her home for Germany to study music and develop her voice. Among the first encounters she makes in Germany is the acquaintance of the charming and mysterious Eugen Courvoisier. There is romance of the kind I so adore, it is a Bennett-Darcy romance, in that the two seem to be at cross purpose, but cannot seem to avoid the spin of gravity that pulls them together while pushing them apart.
All his lines were lines of beauty, but beauty which had power and much masculine strength; nowhere did it degenerate into flaccidity, nowhere lose strength in grace.
I was in absolutely the perfect mood for this perfect tale. I suppose you might say it is predictable, but this is one of those books where you are delighted to take the journey, even if you have already seen the destination. Jessie Fothergill has a fluid and captivating writing style and never bores the reader. She also knows her classical music and weaves it into the tale with precision and finesse. Again, I was never bored with the musical passages. I could easily picture the hall, the musicians, the excitement of the audience, the nerves of the performers–in short, I was so yearning to be there that I often put youtube to playing the music she mentioned while I was reading those chapters. (BTW, Shubert’s unfinished symphony in B-minor is terrifically stirring).
On art and music:
I do not think it ever entered our heads to remember that a man with a quick life throbbing in his veins, with feelings, hopes, and fears and thoughts, painted the picture, and that in seeing it we also saw him—that a consciousness, if possible, yet more keen and vivid produced the combinations of sound which brought tears to our eyes when we heard “the band”—beautiful abstraction—play them!
Bits of wisdom, like this one on idle hands and careless mistakes:
I believe that idleness is sometimes as strong as work, and stronger. You may do that in a few years of idleness which a life-time of afterwork won’t cover, mend, or improve. You may make holes in your coat from sheer laziness, and then find that no amount of stitching will patch them up again.
Before this novel, I had only read short fiction by this author, and had enjoyed it very much. I will now place her other long works high on my list of books to get to. Seems I have another Victorian author to be excited about. One of the reasons I never seem to make it to reading the latest releases!
All his lines were lines of beauty, but beauty which had power and much masculine strength; nowhere did it degenerate into flaccidity, nowhere lose strength in grace.
I was in absolutely the perfect mood for this perfect tale. I suppose you might say it is predictable, but this is one of those books where you are delighted to take the journey, even if you have already seen the destination. Jessie Fothergill has a fluid and captivating writing style and never bores the reader. She also knows her classical music and weaves it into the tale with precision and finesse. Again, I was never bored with the musical passages. I could easily picture the hall, the musicians, the excitement of the audience, the nerves of the performers–in short, I was so yearning to be there that I often put youtube to playing the music she mentioned while I was reading those chapters. (BTW, Shubert’s unfinished symphony in B-minor is terrifically stirring).
On art and music:
I do not think it ever entered our heads to remember that a man with a quick life throbbing in his veins, with feelings, hopes, and fears and thoughts, painted the picture, and that in seeing it we also saw him—that a consciousness, if possible, yet more keen and vivid produced the combinations of sound which brought tears to our eyes when we heard “the band”—beautiful abstraction—play them!
Bits of wisdom, like this one on idle hands and careless mistakes:
I believe that idleness is sometimes as strong as work, and stronger. You may do that in a few years of idleness which a life-time of afterwork won’t cover, mend, or improve. You may make holes in your coat from sheer laziness, and then find that no amount of stitching will patch them up again.
Before this novel, I had only read short fiction by this author, and had enjoyed it very much. I will now place her other long works high on my list of books to get to. Seems I have another Victorian author to be excited about. One of the reasons I never seem to make it to reading the latest releases!
April 12, 2016
*sigh*
Oh, this glorious book! Having finished I had to go back and reread my favorite passages. This is the kind of book that leaves you unable and unwilling to start another book for fear it won't be as good. In fact, I'm sure that anything I pick up after this will seem 'lesser'.
The plot:
This is told in the first person by two people, May Wedderburn and Friedhelm Helfen, one of the first violinists, though it's chiefly May's story.
May Wedderburn wishes to escape from the unwanted attentions of Sir Peter Le Marchant and when she befriends a kindly neighbor, she is given an offer of a lifetime. Become a companion to Miss Hallam, traveling with her to Elberthal and there receive musical training for her voice. It's the more than May ever dared dream.
May seems to find trouble wherever she goes however, and promptly loses herself at the train station in Köln. There she meets a stranger who helps her out of her difficulties, seeing as she knows no German and he, the stranger does. It is wonderful to see how many times this strange man comes to her rescue.
The musical world of Elberthal was exciting and May's adventures are nothing if not unfortunate. One could almost feel the impending doom. First Sir Petter, then the station mix up, ice skating, her sister's marriage and visit to Elbethal, the bitter artist Anna Sartorius and the continuous rebuffing from Courvoisier. And another of my favorite moments, perhaps not so unfortunate, was the floating boat bridge over the Rhine which snaps in Schiffbrücke. That is my absolute favorite part of the book.
I will tell you right now that the book ends as happily as a book where not everything goes perfectly, can. It was happy enough for me, and you all know I like feel good endings.
When I reread this I feel I should listen to the music mentioned and played by the characters, (it would be more appropriate than The Phantom of the Opera). :)
Thank you Alisha! This book is splendiferous!
G No swears and mention of a character running off with someone.
Oh, this glorious book! Having finished I had to go back and reread my favorite passages. This is the kind of book that leaves you unable and unwilling to start another book for fear it won't be as good. In fact, I'm sure that anything I pick up after this will seem 'lesser'.
The plot:
This is told in the first person by two people, May Wedderburn and Friedhelm Helfen, one of the first violinists, though it's chiefly May's story.
May Wedderburn wishes to escape from the unwanted attentions of Sir Peter Le Marchant and when she befriends a kindly neighbor, she is given an offer of a lifetime. Become a companion to Miss Hallam, traveling with her to Elberthal and there receive musical training for her voice. It's the more than May ever dared dream.
May seems to find trouble wherever she goes however, and promptly loses herself at the train station in Köln. There she meets a stranger who helps her out of her difficulties, seeing as she knows no German and he, the stranger does. It is wonderful to see how many times this strange man comes to her rescue.
The musical world of Elberthal was exciting and May's adventures are nothing if not unfortunate. One could almost feel the impending doom. First Sir Petter, then the station mix up, ice skating, her sister's marriage and visit to Elbethal, the bitter artist Anna Sartorius and the continuous rebuffing from Courvoisier. And another of my favorite moments, perhaps not so unfortunate, was the floating boat bridge over the Rhine which snaps in Schiffbrücke. That is my absolute favorite part of the book.
I will tell you right now that the book ends as happily as a book where not everything goes perfectly, can. It was happy enough for me, and you all know I like feel good endings.
When I reread this I feel I should listen to the music mentioned and played by the characters, (it would be more appropriate than The Phantom of the Opera). :)
Thank you Alisha! This book is splendiferous!
G No swears and mention of a character running off with someone.
February 10, 2016
This Victorian romance and mystery is very hard to describe because it is so filled with characters that touched me in so many ways. From the beginning you learn about May Wedderburn. The seventeen year old daughter of the local pastor. She is offered an unpleasant opportunity and earns the reprimands from her family when she turns it down. She is quite unsure of herself and welcomes a new opportunity when it presents itself.
May finds herself as a companion to a elderly neighbor. They travel to Elberthal, Germany. A town in a country far from her English home.
Once she is in Germany she is assisted by a stranger because she can not even speeak German. The memories that she makes that day will hold her for a long time and color all of her expectations.
Of course they come back to real life where mistakes and miscommunication occur. But you want so badly for Eugen Courvoisier and May Wedderburn to find some common ground. The tale is filled with sadness and sweetness that is not often found in books.
The book gives you open access to the daily lives of the musicians that she comes in contact with and their families. She finds herself more and more attracted to these characters. Yet she is basically alone and unsure how to reach out.
You want the happy ever after ending that seems to be alluding capture. You want the secrets to be revealed and you want your heart to stop breaking for these characters.
This was not always a pleasant book to read, but it never left you wanting to put it down. Not even for sleep. I did find myself wishing I spoke German, so I could see what additional bits and pieces I could glean from the book.
I am rating this with all 5 stars that are available and I give them happily.
May finds herself as a companion to a elderly neighbor. They travel to Elberthal, Germany. A town in a country far from her English home.
Once she is in Germany she is assisted by a stranger because she can not even speeak German. The memories that she makes that day will hold her for a long time and color all of her expectations.
Of course they come back to real life where mistakes and miscommunication occur. But you want so badly for Eugen Courvoisier and May Wedderburn to find some common ground. The tale is filled with sadness and sweetness that is not often found in books.
The book gives you open access to the daily lives of the musicians that she comes in contact with and their families. She finds herself more and more attracted to these characters. Yet she is basically alone and unsure how to reach out.
You want the happy ever after ending that seems to be alluding capture. You want the secrets to be revealed and you want your heart to stop breaking for these characters.
This was not always a pleasant book to read, but it never left you wanting to put it down. Not even for sleep. I did find myself wishing I spoke German, so I could see what additional bits and pieces I could glean from the book.
I am rating this with all 5 stars that are available and I give them happily.
February 11, 2016
Five stars for this marvelous Victorian romance!! I love Victorian era books!! This story is just packed with wonderful characters; has a glimpse of urban life which revolves around the struggles of musicians and artists; and a nice complicated plot that allows a young English girl (she's seventeen) to meet her match, and yet remain divided from him due to pride and misunderstandings.
The story is rich with emotional scenes designed to stir the heart!! The cover of my edition promises, "Equal parts mystery, romance and opera..." And Jesse Fothergill makes good on that promise! I quickly became absorbed in the story of May Wedderburn, an English girl who is just 17, and very innocent for her age. With two sisters who seem more mature and accomplished, May is unaware of her own beauty and talent. She agrees to accompany a friend and benefactor to Germany to escape the unwanted advances of a wealthy neighbor.
Even before May finds herself in the German city of Elberthal, she finds herself on an adventure and her surroundings are nothing like the provincial Skernford, where she grew up. May is a sweet and unspoiled girl and is very easy to like. I quickly became emotionally involved with her and found myself wanting her to find happiness. But happiness is an elusive commodity for May, who is guileless, and has difficulties making her way in Elberthal society. Before May has her reward, she must navigate around the secret passions, hidden agendas and disappointed hopes of others.
The sorrows in this book caused more than one sigh to escape from me, brought tears to my eyes and made me wonder where this story was taking me. This is a wonderful book to read and there are joys to be cherished too, I assure you. There is a particular scene involving a bridge that could be considered unrealistic, but I chose romantic! And there just isn't enough here for me to quibble about. I am willing to go on faith with my storyteller once in awhile! A lovely book to read and savor! Oh, I am envious of anyone who has not yet read this delightful book!!!
Buddy-read with my goodreads friend, Vicki!
The story is rich with emotional scenes designed to stir the heart!! The cover of my edition promises, "Equal parts mystery, romance and opera..." And Jesse Fothergill makes good on that promise! I quickly became absorbed in the story of May Wedderburn, an English girl who is just 17, and very innocent for her age. With two sisters who seem more mature and accomplished, May is unaware of her own beauty and talent. She agrees to accompany a friend and benefactor to Germany to escape the unwanted advances of a wealthy neighbor.
Even before May finds herself in the German city of Elberthal, she finds herself on an adventure and her surroundings are nothing like the provincial Skernford, where she grew up. May is a sweet and unspoiled girl and is very easy to like. I quickly became emotionally involved with her and found myself wanting her to find happiness. But happiness is an elusive commodity for May, who is guileless, and has difficulties making her way in Elberthal society. Before May has her reward, she must navigate around the secret passions, hidden agendas and disappointed hopes of others.
The sorrows in this book caused more than one sigh to escape from me, brought tears to my eyes and made me wonder where this story was taking me. This is a wonderful book to read and there are joys to be cherished too, I assure you. There is a particular scene involving a bridge that could be considered unrealistic, but I chose romantic! And there just isn't enough here for me to quibble about. I am willing to go on faith with my storyteller once in awhile! A lovely book to read and savor! Oh, I am envious of anyone who has not yet read this delightful book!!!
Buddy-read with my goodreads friend, Vicki!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2017
I feel somewhat cheated that I never felt the magic of this that Tweety and Alisha felt. I was looking for something... more and was never quite satisfied. Bummer.
March 9, 2017
As I have expected I am joining a group of fans of this superb novel. And it is a noble group. Thanks to Tweety and Alisha Trenalone I have read it and I thank you both very much.
It is one of this books which are deeply moving.
The reader is discovering world of music and German culture (especially compared with English culture) in the second part of XIX century. Music in this novel is one of the characters, next to May, Eugen, Friedhelm, Sigmund and so on. (And I am glad that I know German enough to appreciate and understand the intertwined German words and terms).
It isn't so easy to say what is the main plot. The love story or the history of Eugen? Add to that a description of the love between father and a little son and of friendship between two men and you have really touching book. And don't forget of many well chosen the secondary characters which make the novel even more rich.
Yes, it is rather melodramatic book. Yes, there are some big coincidences but it is the right of an author to use it in the story.
I would say that reading this book is like sitting in the spring in the beautiful garden, hearing a lovely music mixed with the sound of the nature, holding the hand of a loved one. Because, although I felt many sorrow during reading (I had even tears in my eyes when I read ) all was simultaneously lovely. And when I finished it I felt like I was sitting in this garden.
Thanks to this kind of books I can charge my strength to face sad and unpleasant sides of the real life.
It is one of this books which are deeply moving.
The reader is discovering world of music and German culture (especially compared with English culture) in the second part of XIX century. Music in this novel is one of the characters, next to May, Eugen, Friedhelm, Sigmund and so on. (And I am glad that I know German enough to appreciate and understand the intertwined German words and terms).
It isn't so easy to say what is the main plot. The love story or the history of Eugen? Add to that a description of the love between father and a little son and of friendship between two men and you have really touching book. And don't forget of many well chosen the secondary characters which make the novel even more rich.
Yes, it is rather melodramatic book. Yes, there are some big coincidences but it is the right of an author to use it in the story.
I would say that reading this book is like sitting in the spring in the beautiful garden, hearing a lovely music mixed with the sound of the nature, holding the hand of a loved one. Because, although I felt many sorrow during reading (I had even tears in my eyes when I read ) all was simultaneously lovely. And when I finished it I felt like I was sitting in this garden.
Thanks to this kind of books I can charge my strength to face sad and unpleasant sides of the real life.
October 20, 2022
A lovely romance set in Germany in the early 1870's. May Wedderburn accompanies an old lady who needs to see a doctor to Eberthal in Germany. On the way she gets lost in a train station and meet Eugen Courvoisier who accompanies her back to the town. May starts music lessons and soon finds herself joining the local music group where Eugen is first violin. Eugen harbours a deep secret that will separate him from his beloved son, but eventually matters resolve themselves. Lovely characters and a very delicate romance which I loved.
November 1, 2019
This holds up on every re-read! It's an enthralling tale of romance and music set in the late 1800s, mostly in Germany, and I realized this time through that it reminds me A LOT of Charlotte Bronte's works.
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Previous review:
I loved, loved, loved this!
Emotionally one of the most satisfying books I've ever read... when I think of it I can still conjure the scenes up in my mind, even though it's been years since I read the book... the lonely train station with a whistling stranger--the man who holds the heart of the book in his hands--coming closer; ice skating in the dark, crisp cold; best friends playing the music of spring in a sun-dappled room, the bridge in the flood...
May Wedderburn flees her English home because of the advances of an unwanted suitor. She goes with a friend to Germany to study music. On the way there, she misses a train connection, but runs into a stranger who can translate and help her get back on her way....Eugen Courvoisier. The mysterious, the lovely Eugen. May and Eugen are attracted to each other, but when they meet again there's a distance that has built up between them. The unraveling of Eugen's story, the tentative friendship, the sadness and the gladness in this book THRILL me. I can't even explain how I revel in the reading of it.
I sent this book to Tweety, and I wholeheartedly agree with her review too. Her review says more about the plot. I have a hard time explaining much of the plot because I go all dreamy-eyed and am now just sitting here thinking about how great this book is. It's really great.
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Previous review:
I loved, loved, loved this!
Emotionally one of the most satisfying books I've ever read... when I think of it I can still conjure the scenes up in my mind, even though it's been years since I read the book... the lonely train station with a whistling stranger--the man who holds the heart of the book in his hands--coming closer; ice skating in the dark, crisp cold; best friends playing the music of spring in a sun-dappled room, the bridge in the flood...
May Wedderburn flees her English home because of the advances of an unwanted suitor. She goes with a friend to Germany to study music. On the way there, she misses a train connection, but runs into a stranger who can translate and help her get back on her way....Eugen Courvoisier. The mysterious, the lovely Eugen. May and Eugen are attracted to each other, but when they meet again there's a distance that has built up between them. The unraveling of Eugen's story, the tentative friendship, the sadness and the gladness in this book THRILL me. I can't even explain how I revel in the reading of it.
I sent this book to Tweety, and I wholeheartedly agree with her review too. Her review says more about the plot. I have a hard time explaining much of the plot because I go all dreamy-eyed and am now just sitting here thinking about how great this book is. It's really great.
March 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and would be happy to see it turned into a movie or mini-series.
September 8, 2010
I love digging up these excellent novels from decades or even centuries ago that no one knows about today. The First Violin is part mystery, part romance, and part musical. It starts with 17-year-old May Wedderburn living a quiet, almost boring existence in her small town in England. Her quiet existence is shattered when she attracts the amorous attentions of the local wealthy landowner, Sir Peter. May has no interest in Sir Peter's offer of marriage and is even a bit afraid of him. There are dark rumors about his last marriage and the circumstances surrounding his last wife's demise. Enter the town recluse and sister of said late wife, Miss Hallam, who offers to whisk May away to Germany. May, not only eager to get away from Sir Peter but also pining for excitement of any kind, heads to Germany as a companion to the old woman and to take advantage of some musical instruction.
The above is basically the first couple of chapters, and from there it's hard to put this book down. May does indeed encounter the excitement she's in search of almost immediately upon leaving home. She also experiences a great musical awakening in the land of Bach and Schumann.
If I could give this a 4 1/5 I would, only for a slight disappointment at the very end of the novel where author Fothergill takes advantage of some seriously unbelievable coincidences. Otherwise, it is a perfect novel, one I will be revisiting many times in the future. I will be sure to brush up on my classical composers before then, which will no doubt heighten my enjoyment of this excellent story.
The above is basically the first couple of chapters, and from there it's hard to put this book down. May does indeed encounter the excitement she's in search of almost immediately upon leaving home. She also experiences a great musical awakening in the land of Bach and Schumann.
If I could give this a 4 1/5 I would, only for a slight disappointment at the very end of the novel where author Fothergill takes advantage of some seriously unbelievable coincidences. Otherwise, it is a perfect novel, one I will be revisiting many times in the future. I will be sure to brush up on my classical composers before then, which will no doubt heighten my enjoyment of this excellent story.
March 12, 2011
This was a book in my grandmother's collection of novels, much-loved by my mother and her best girlhood friend, and later by me. I still have my grandmother's copy, but it's too fragile to keep reading, so I looked for it on Kindle. It's a great bubble bath book, full of high melodrama and music, too. It was fun to read again, though I'm not sure I would recommend it to a young girl nowadays.
December 31, 2019
#Victober2019 https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 18, 2019 review
I love this novel even more after my second reading. Such emotional depth, relatable characters, and gorgeous writing.
_______________________________
May 13, 2018 review
What an exquisitely lovely musical fairy tale!
The most memorable moments with me have been those in which pain and pleasure, yearning and satisfaction, knowledge and seeking, have been so exquisitely and so intangibly blended, in listening to some deep sonata, some stately and pathetic old ciacconna or gavotte, some concerto or symphony; the thing nearest heaven is to sit apart with closed eyes while the orchestra or the individual performer interprets for one the mystic poetry, or the dramatic fire, or the subtle cobweb refinements of some instrumental poem.
While I followed along on my Kindle, I listened to the free Librivox audiobook, beautifully narrated by Sandra G:
https://librivox.org/the-first-violin...
Just one moment's glance into a face had had the power to alter everything so much. I skated on, as fast, as surely as ever, but, "A joy has taken flight." The pleasant sensation of solitude, which I could so easily have felt among a thousand people had he not been counted among them, was gone. The roll of my skates upon the ice had lost its music for me; the wind felt colder--I sadder.
October 18, 2019 review
I love this novel even more after my second reading. Such emotional depth, relatable characters, and gorgeous writing.
_______________________________
May 13, 2018 review
What an exquisitely lovely musical fairy tale!
The most memorable moments with me have been those in which pain and pleasure, yearning and satisfaction, knowledge and seeking, have been so exquisitely and so intangibly blended, in listening to some deep sonata, some stately and pathetic old ciacconna or gavotte, some concerto or symphony; the thing nearest heaven is to sit apart with closed eyes while the orchestra or the individual performer interprets for one the mystic poetry, or the dramatic fire, or the subtle cobweb refinements of some instrumental poem.
While I followed along on my Kindle, I listened to the free Librivox audiobook, beautifully narrated by Sandra G:
https://librivox.org/the-first-violin...
Just one moment's glance into a face had had the power to alter everything so much. I skated on, as fast, as surely as ever, but, "A joy has taken flight." The pleasant sensation of solitude, which I could so easily have felt among a thousand people had he not been counted among them, was gone. The roll of my skates upon the ice had lost its music for me; the wind felt colder--I sadder.
January 31, 2021
Good Victorian romance that gives the reader a good picture of life in Victorian Germany, and in particular the musical scene. This was on Libravox and read both as a group challenge and a buddy read, and I enjoyed the book very much.
August 2, 2025
A gem hiding in my shelf of antique books. Looks cute with a red cover. Quite the melodramatic, rich novel inside. It gave me “what the girl in Northanger Abbey would read”
if she existed in a little bit later time period. A lot of emotional suspense built up, with much mystery and almost a gothic style romance. I thought Le Marchant, the evil rich guy introduced in the beginning, would factor higher in the whole story but he was a side character. There was a lot going on in the book and the author may have tried to pack too much in. I did like the heavy focus on the world of musicians, although I understood none of the many many German quotes.
if she existed in a little bit later time period. A lot of emotional suspense built up, with much mystery and almost a gothic style romance. I thought Le Marchant, the evil rich guy introduced in the beginning, would factor higher in the whole story but he was a side character. There was a lot going on in the book and the author may have tried to pack too much in. I did like the heavy focus on the world of musicians, although I understood none of the many many German quotes.
March 29, 2025
My primary sensation upon reading this peculiar novel was akin to walking into an unknown play halfway through the second act. It’s entirely unclear at first who the characters are and how they relate to one another; new names pop up where we are expected to know who they are and how they relate to the ones we already know. I came to understand that what I was reading is actually the second half of a two-volume novel. Missing a lot of backstory results in a puzzling and less than entirely satisfying experience.
Having been reconstructed out of fragments of what was probably a significantly damaged copy (or possibly portions of several copies) the result is quite ragged, with numerous errors, sudden shifts in font and paragraph structure, fragmentary illustrations, etc.. And yet, in spite of all that, I found it a pleasant, if quaint, piece of work: 1890’s era romanticism, somewhat gothic (in the classic meaning of that word). I now understand that Fothergill wrote a third volume of this story. Unfortunately, unlike the series novels of today, each volume doesn’t stand up very well on its own and all of them are very difficult to find.
I’ve not been able to learn anything about Jessie Fothergill; she appears to have been British; and yet the book is full of German passages, expressions and fragments of classic German poetry. The author herself seems to more of a mystery than the little mystery contained in her novel.
Having been reconstructed out of fragments of what was probably a significantly damaged copy (or possibly portions of several copies) the result is quite ragged, with numerous errors, sudden shifts in font and paragraph structure, fragmentary illustrations, etc.. And yet, in spite of all that, I found it a pleasant, if quaint, piece of work: 1890’s era romanticism, somewhat gothic (in the classic meaning of that word). I now understand that Fothergill wrote a third volume of this story. Unfortunately, unlike the series novels of today, each volume doesn’t stand up very well on its own and all of them are very difficult to find.
I’ve not been able to learn anything about Jessie Fothergill; she appears to have been British; and yet the book is full of German passages, expressions and fragments of classic German poetry. The author herself seems to more of a mystery than the little mystery contained in her novel.
November 8, 2020
The First Violin is an exceptionally good story by an author I did not know existed. It is beautifully written and on its own merits a credit to the literary world along with its author, Jesse Fothergill.
August 21, 2022
This is probably my favorite book of all time. I read it at least once a year. The perfect blend of mystery and romance. The smattering of German words is fun to keep up with in the book, and I encourage you to listen to the music mentioned throughout the book as you read! Would recommend for girls 15 and up. There’s are a few kisses in the book, but no heavy sexual content, and it gives a glimpse into how other cultures (besides just England via the typical historical fiction) viewed musicians and entertainers. This book focuses on the working class, rather than the aristocracy which is also refreshing, although it is a bit of the classic rags to riches story.
September 19, 2025
I started reading this book thinking I had read it before, and I certainly had. It's pretty good. I don't know when that was, that I read it before, but I made up a date. I read quite a bit before I was sure :)
August 30, 2019
Overly melodramatic and the story is all over the place, but entertaining in a Victorian sort of way.
March 23, 2020
Well written but neither very compelling nor memorable. Interesting as a period piece.
June 16, 2021
Librivox Sandra G excellent reading.
Enjoyable story.
Enjoyable story.
June 20, 2023
Good light book
A nice and simple book to read for a long weekend which need to be in any house for such occasion
A nice and simple book to read for a long weekend which need to be in any house for such occasion
January 17, 2023
Archaic romance. It was a very long story and being told from different perspectives made it even longer. The last 1/3 of the book was especially interesting.
December 1, 2012
When I decided to partake of a Victorian reading challenge, I decided not to read the same old stuff that everyone else was reading. I was looking towards the more obscure novels, particularly ones written by women authors whose names have been forgotten through history.
I first came across this book on Girlebooks. I liked the sound of it, and promptly downloaded and put it on my nook. It was a bit different than the average Victorian drama: set in Germany, with the heroine involved in the music scene.
The usual obstacles and secrets keeping the hero and heroine apart were there, but in a different setting. Our heroine, May, comes to Germany as a companion to an older, recluse lady. Once there, she starts singing lessons. May stays in Germany, when the lady decides to head back to England, and continues her musical pursuits. I loved reading about a young woman living on her own in 19th Germany perusing her passions. How unique!
The story is told from two perspectives: May, and Helfen, the roommate of the the suffering Eugen, who is the object of May's affections. Through Helfen's view, we can just about guess that Eugen is hiding something. What kind of Victorian hero would he be if he wasn't?
There's lots of German words, and much musical talk, which makes this story unique. It also has a dastardly bad guy, secrets (like I said) and melodrama, which makes it like the average Victorian story.
I enjoyed it. I liked the German setting; it was something different. And anything with a music storyline always grabs my attention. Very recommended – this book needs more love!
I first came across this book on Girlebooks. I liked the sound of it, and promptly downloaded and put it on my nook. It was a bit different than the average Victorian drama: set in Germany, with the heroine involved in the music scene.
The usual obstacles and secrets keeping the hero and heroine apart were there, but in a different setting. Our heroine, May, comes to Germany as a companion to an older, recluse lady. Once there, she starts singing lessons. May stays in Germany, when the lady decides to head back to England, and continues her musical pursuits. I loved reading about a young woman living on her own in 19th Germany perusing her passions. How unique!
The story is told from two perspectives: May, and Helfen, the roommate of the the suffering Eugen, who is the object of May's affections. Through Helfen's view, we can just about guess that Eugen is hiding something. What kind of Victorian hero would he be if he wasn't?
There's lots of German words, and much musical talk, which makes this story unique. It also has a dastardly bad guy, secrets (like I said) and melodrama, which makes it like the average Victorian story.
I enjoyed it. I liked the German setting; it was something different. And anything with a music storyline always grabs my attention. Very recommended – this book needs more love!
January 23, 2016
L'autrice, dopo averti portato con mano ferma per pagine e pagine al cuore di una storia avvincente e deliziosamente scritta, dopo averti (quasi) fatto innamorare del 'primo violino' che dà il titolo al libro, si abbandona negli ultimi capitoli ad un vorticoso 'Sturm un Drang' in cui si susseguono improbabili 'rendez vous' su un relitto vagante sul Reno, castelli, conti, bambini morenti, sinistre 'dame nere' e, per non farci mancare niente, anche un'avventuriera italiana. L'avrei punita con una valutazione più severa, se non fosse per l'originalità e l'incanto della situazione descritta nella parte principale della storia: una giovanissima Miss inglese (con tutti gli inevitabili pregiudizi della sua classe) si trova a vivere nella Germania degli anni 1869-70, e viene pervasa e coinvolta dalle emozioni e dalla creatività della grande musica tedesca di sette-ottocen
December 4, 2011
Oh, I loved this book. It's racily written, witty, the characters are alive (especially the women, I loved ugly Anna) and although the plot is a little inclined to Victorian melodrama the fact of it's being set mainly in Germany gives that bit of distance. The villain is satisfyingly bad without being unrealistic, and the end is neither Hamletian or saccharine. There's loads of stuff about music which I really enjoyed - I learned a lot about the German music scene of the time. You need to keep you wits about you because the first person narration changes narrator without warning, but it's well worth reading.
May 5, 2021
One might ask: how did I hear about this book? From a photo of an old copy of the book, on Pinterest. I love old books with gilded decorations on the cover. I was intrigued so went to abebooks.com to find a “vintage” copy. I did, and ordered it. Green binding with gilding and white decoration.
And how did I like it? First of all, I wanted to find out when it was written. First published in 1877. The author was British but did spend time in Germany studying music. I thought the book was enchanting and very interesting to read. I liked mention of actual composers and actual musical works. I loved the story line. I highly recommend it.
And how did I like it? First of all, I wanted to find out when it was written. First published in 1877. The author was British but did spend time in Germany studying music. I thought the book was enchanting and very interesting to read. I liked mention of actual composers and actual musical works. I loved the story line. I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2013
I stumbled upon this somewhat unknown book and author (she doesn't even have a Wikipedia entry) on GirleBooks.com. It's a nice story with likable characters, but a tad on the long side. The reuniting of the main characters is a little far fetched, but it leads to the happy ending I wanted the entire book.
August 2, 2012
Being a Victorian fan, I was looking forward to this book. It turned out to be quite an enjoyable read, but I didn't like it as much as I expected to. May's life as a music student in Germany is interesting but there's too much melodrama and no humour. Forgettable, more a period romance than a classic that one keeps returning to.
October 29, 2014
Eugen has a happy little family, an affectionate best bud, and a girl who loves him, but when his mysterious past starts to catch up with him, who will stand true? A fantastic book, full of epic heroicness in everyday settings. The plot is mellow, but the characters are incredibly well drawn. Their perspectives, personality quirks and psychological issues are all written to a T.
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