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Antonia of Venice: A Novel Of The 18th Century Venetian Empire
Very few people knew Antonia, despite her eventual fame as “La Stella di Venezia”. Antonia of Venice is an unveiling of love, connected souls, music, power and tragedy.
The story lures the reader into the beauty and decadence of 18th century Venice, and into the passions that drive and torment its characters. Antonia develops from being Vivaldi’s star pupil into his musical colleague and the pride of Venetian musical conceit. After she falls in love with Orlando Sagredo, master planner of the Palio, Antonia recognizes the emotional bondage she has never questioned.
Antonia of Venice is inhabited by brilliant musicians, avaricious politicians and ineffectual rulers of the Republic of Venice. Through it all, the people and music Antonia loves take the reader into the depths of revenge and selflessness.
A well researched 18th century romance novel with brilliant descriptions, Antonia of Venice advances the timeless, feminine heroic as a powerful and equal partner to the masculine.
The story lures the reader into the beauty and decadence of 18th century Venice, and into the passions that drive and torment its characters. Antonia develops from being Vivaldi’s star pupil into his musical colleague and the pride of Venetian musical conceit. After she falls in love with Orlando Sagredo, master planner of the Palio, Antonia recognizes the emotional bondage she has never questioned.
Antonia of Venice is inhabited by brilliant musicians, avaricious politicians and ineffectual rulers of the Republic of Venice. Through it all, the people and music Antonia loves take the reader into the depths of revenge and selflessness.
A well researched 18th century romance novel with brilliant descriptions, Antonia of Venice advances the timeless, feminine heroic as a powerful and equal partner to the masculine.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2014
474 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 23, 2016
Exquisite
A complex concerto in words. The protagonist is music brought to life by exceptional character development intertwined with music. As a Fine Arts major and classical pianist, I soared with a musical composition in words. Gripping, mystical and sometimes dark this one of the most remarkable books I have read in years.
A complex concerto in words. The protagonist is music brought to life by exceptional character development intertwined with music. As a Fine Arts major and classical pianist, I soared with a musical composition in words. Gripping, mystical and sometimes dark this one of the most remarkable books I have read in years.
March 30, 2016
A story
Believable and sad. Beautiful and a frozen moment of time. I am left with feeling the same heartache of tragedy, hope...life.
Believable and sad. Beautiful and a frozen moment of time. I am left with feeling the same heartache of tragedy, hope...life.
February 8, 2016
A beautifully poetic historical story of how obsession can shape the life of a person and all those around them. Of how untruths can cause such heart ache. Also how spirituality can raise ones soul from the depths of despair and touch the souls of those who nourish it with love and strength How passion and music can bring such joy,strength and wonder to all it touches but how it can also bring such heartache. It also reminds us that there are those in this world who feel the need to control, bully and amass power but does it bring them happiness?
July 14, 2018
This excessively wordy book could have been half its length if the author didn't embellish every thought with flowery and redundant language. I was speed-reading it to find the predictable plot. The story was woven around two established facts of composer Vivaldi's life: that he was the conductor of an all-girl orchestra comprised of female orphans in a convent for many years, and that he took a child prodigy under his wing and she lived with him until he died. It should have been lyrical (and it had its moments) but was tedious instead.
April 10, 2018
Justt couldn't put book down. Got to ending and did not know what, it was. Lots of parts I didn't understand. Disappointed in ending. Plot jumped around. Will not read anymore books by this author. Sally
July 20, 2022
This historical novel falls into the genre of romantic tragedy. It is the tale of Antonia of Venice, the musical protégé of Antonio Vivaldi. As a young orphan, she’s raised within the confines of the orphanage and molded to become an instrument of God through her voice, violin, and compositions. Vivaldi is obsessed with her from the beginning, displaying a suffocating type of fatherly love. As Antonia grows, she finds love and glimpses of freedom. Only to have it taken away. The story is full of near misses that keeps the reader wanting and hoping. It is a love tragedy in the spirit of Romeo and Juliet.
Peirson’s writing is simply musical. She weaves the tale using color and music as metaphors. The book is written with an ancient language which resonates of the 18th century. It flows through the reader as the waters flow through Venice. Religion and politics have always ruled this watery city. The author leads you through the intrigues of the time period and paints wonderful mental pictures as you walk in Antonia’s shoes.
Peirson’s writing is simply musical. She weaves the tale using color and music as metaphors. The book is written with an ancient language which resonates of the 18th century. It flows through the reader as the waters flow through Venice. Religion and politics have always ruled this watery city. The author leads you through the intrigues of the time period and paints wonderful mental pictures as you walk in Antonia’s shoes.
April 30, 2018
Hhhhmmm...
I liked it, I really did. Prepare yourself, it’s quite a long journey and it can be a bit confusing at first. The present tense account is interjected with journal entries from Antonia and they don’t always seem relevant. This is a multifaceted love story that is built on lies and subterfuge. There is some history of Venice, and quite a lot of general travelogue info on Siena, Venice and a bit of Florence. Very enjoyable if you’ve been to Italy. Vivaldi (yup, the composer!), is a main character in this story. Keep in mind that this is FICTION and the musical story lines will be much more enjoyable. There are battles between healthy and unhealthy relationships that consume the 400+ pages. The writing is good yet I would have liked to understand the characters a bit sooner in this tome. Perhaps if I cared about them a bit more, reading “Antonia of Venice” would have been slightly less burdensome.
I liked it, I really did. Prepare yourself, it’s quite a long journey and it can be a bit confusing at first. The present tense account is interjected with journal entries from Antonia and they don’t always seem relevant. This is a multifaceted love story that is built on lies and subterfuge. There is some history of Venice, and quite a lot of general travelogue info on Siena, Venice and a bit of Florence. Very enjoyable if you’ve been to Italy. Vivaldi (yup, the composer!), is a main character in this story. Keep in mind that this is FICTION and the musical story lines will be much more enjoyable. There are battles between healthy and unhealthy relationships that consume the 400+ pages. The writing is good yet I would have liked to understand the characters a bit sooner in this tome. Perhaps if I cared about them a bit more, reading “Antonia of Venice” would have been slightly less burdensome.
April 16, 2018
A Beautiful story
What a truly beautiful book. The story is intriguing and heartbreaking. I was so caught up in the emotion as the lovers separated I had to put the book down for an entire day. And then near the end I almost declared I wouldn't finish it for the heartache, but glad that I did. The end is a bit confusing and would have read better with more clarity but truly, it was a joy to read. Thank you to the author for her passion in writing such a great historic story full of wonderful music.
What a truly beautiful book. The story is intriguing and heartbreaking. I was so caught up in the emotion as the lovers separated I had to put the book down for an entire day. And then near the end I almost declared I wouldn't finish it for the heartache, but glad that I did. The end is a bit confusing and would have read better with more clarity but truly, it was a joy to read. Thank you to the author for her passion in writing such a great historic story full of wonderful music.
September 23, 2021
The story could've been fascinating but unfortunately it was way too long and mostly boring. Also, I found the characters quite child-like and wooden most of the time and because I didn't care that much about them, I didn't care that much about the story / book. It was really predictable too. I can't say that the book wasn't beautifully written; it was, but I think it was actually difficult to read sometimes when I couldn't be quite sure if it was real or dream or what. I expected more but ended up giving it 2*.
June 9, 2018
I could read this book all over again right away. It breathes poetry, music, and art. It is a first novel, and the author poured her soul into it. The descriptions are vivid and creative, the love story engrossing, the story of murder and revenge gripping and exciting, the historical detail meticulously researched. Yes, the story is fictionalized, but it rings true at a psychological and spiritual level. Highly recommended. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 23, 2018
Beautifully written
Her words are beautiful, like listening to a symphony. The tragic story was full of suspense and utter sadness. Antonia could have been a real orphan in Vivaldi's orchestra. Her character was multi dimensional and the passages attributed to Antonia were poetry at its best.
Her words are beautiful, like listening to a symphony. The tragic story was full of suspense and utter sadness. Antonia could have been a real orphan in Vivaldi's orchestra. Her character was multi dimensional and the passages attributed to Antonia were poetry at its best.
April 1, 2018
The story of Antonia/Anna is a tale of love, passion, power, greed, tragedy, and music. An orphan, she becomes the star pupil of Vivaldi, and their lives are intertwined.
A lovely story, more fiction than history because many of the historical details have been lost. I listened to Vivaldi in the background as I read.
No sex
No graphic violence
A lovely story, more fiction than history because many of the historical details have been lost. I listened to Vivaldi in the background as I read.
No sex
No graphic violence
April 16, 2018
Antonia of Venice
This,was,not an easy book to read. A,very unconventional set of circumstances. As,orphans, these young girls had a sad upbringing. If times were really like what is depicted in this story I am very glad not to have lived there then. Antonia had a very lonely and sad life. There was,no happy ending for any of the characters. I would only give it 3 stars.
This,was,not an easy book to read. A,very unconventional set of circumstances. As,orphans, these young girls had a sad upbringing. If times were really like what is depicted in this story I am very glad not to have lived there then. Antonia had a very lonely and sad life. There was,no happy ending for any of the characters. I would only give it 3 stars.
June 11, 2018
Beautiful and tragic
‘‘This Book captivated me from the beginning. Antonia’s voice drew me in ad made me feel as if I knew her personally. She made me love her and hate those who controlled her life. I felt my heart break every time hers did. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that has affected me so much.
‘‘This Book captivated me from the beginning. Antonia’s voice drew me in ad made me feel as if I knew her personally. She made me love her and hate those who controlled her life. I felt my heart break every time hers did. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that has affected me so much.
January 26, 2018
Intriguing, passionate and engrossing
A beautiful love story unravels at the hand of this writer, who takes you on a historical journey through Italy in the 1700's as two lovers deal with politics, humanity and deceitful transgressions.
A beautiful love story unravels at the hand of this writer, who takes you on a historical journey through Italy in the 1700's as two lovers deal with politics, humanity and deceitful transgressions.
April 4, 2018
Lyrical
Profound in its elegance of love,betrayal,passion,music and art. I enjoyed this writing very much.
The beauty of the world of that time and the emotions of the characters brought so much to this novel.
Profound in its elegance of love,betrayal,passion,music and art. I enjoyed this writing very much.
The beauty of the world of that time and the emotions of the characters brought so much to this novel.
April 22, 2018
A good read I was enthralled from start to finish. I felt I was really there listening to the music
I was enthralled from start to finish. I felt like I was really there listening to the music thank you.
I was enthralled from start to finish. I felt like I was really there listening to the music thank you.
February 5, 2019
Read this book, you will not be sorry!
I love this story so much! It is beautifully written and unpredictable. I've never read such moving descriptions of music. You can almost hear it.
I love this story so much! It is beautifully written and unpredictable. I've never read such moving descriptions of music. You can almost hear it.
May 5, 2018
A very interesting and entertaining story of lost love
The author has written a very heart felt story of a young girl’s love of music and her finding and loosing her one true love. Interesting story that is also entertaining.
The author has written a very heart felt story of a young girl’s love of music and her finding and loosing her one true love. Interesting story that is also entertaining.
May 20, 2018
Passionate and Inspiring!
A very unique and well written story, Antonia's tale breathed life into another place and time. I highly recommend this book to those who love music and history.
A very unique and well written story, Antonia's tale breathed life into another place and time. I highly recommend this book to those who love music and history.
June 16, 2018
Intense! A truly powerful story. For all the music, lyrical writing, historical details, I found it profoundly sad. Lies: little ones, big ones, gentle ones, powerful ones... manipulate the characters lives.
August 1, 2018
Too Frustrating for me
If you like books that are a continuous read of torment and agony, this book is for you. It was interesting but the ongoing frustration and helplessness of the characters was not counteracted by the few pages of happiness.
If you like books that are a continuous read of torment and agony, this book is for you. It was interesting but the ongoing frustration and helplessness of the characters was not counteracted by the few pages of happiness.
September 19, 2018
I felt the book moved slowly and it was difficult to follow characters and locations and whether the descriptions of events were real or imagined in some spiritual realm. Not based enough in reality for my enjoyment, but I would imagine that is just a personal preference.
January 30, 2019
The book stretched too long and dragged in many places. The concept behind the book is really great. However, the ending could have told much better, and I found it really difficult to finish this book.
June 7, 2019
A walk through the past...
I loved the historical and geographical setting of this novel. The descriptions of colours and smells made me feel as though I was In the moment and back in a country I love to visit.
I loved the historical and geographical setting of this novel. The descriptions of colours and smells made me feel as though I was In the moment and back in a country I love to visit.
January 13, 2020
Soul-wrenching story of love and loss
I'm weeping as I finish reading this..... this profound, sublime story of star-crossed lovers. Kudos to the brilliant mind who conceived and birthed this beautiful story.
I'm weeping as I finish reading this..... this profound, sublime story of star-crossed lovers. Kudos to the brilliant mind who conceived and birthed this beautiful story.
November 6, 2023
this book draws one into it’s pages and story so forcefully- at times the suspense was overwhelming!
The story was woven together so richly - time and again my romantic heart wanted to know how it eiullf end! I would never have imagined it!
The story was woven together so richly - time and again my romantic heart wanted to know how it eiullf end! I would never have imagined it!
April 5, 2018
This book was the most beautifully written book I have read in a long time.
April 30, 2018
A beautiful read. You could feel the music right through the pages.
May 9, 2018
Sad story.
Such beautiful writing. Such beautiful story. So much sorrow, so much love. A unique story that interlaced music and life.
Such beautiful writing. Such beautiful story. So much sorrow, so much love. A unique story that interlaced music and life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews