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None Shall Sleep
Opera is Life! And life is opera. None Shall Sleep parts the curtain to reveal lives drawn together by one woman's dream to sing. Isabella Fabrini, a discouraged Argentine-bred consultant living in London, has little to show for her forty years but a sputtering career, a string of unsatisfying relationships, and layers of cynicism. Her bold plan to reinvent herself as an opera singer has unintended consequences even before the reluctant diva sings her first note. "Every Italian town worth its weight in pasta has an opera house," Isa says as she plans her debut. San Benedetto is no exception. The faded spa town of Isa's birth, with its nineteenth-century theater, provides the setting for concert weekend, when anything can happen. Those gathered to hear Isa sing are as colorful as characters created by Puccini or Verdi. Their mirth and mayhem rival any opera libretto. There's Telma Rossi. The fiery temptress stole Isa's fiance but wants more-a chance to steal the spotlight and maybe crush Isa again. Luca Caruso, a dashing restaurateur who fell in love with Isa at the start of her musical journey but harbors a painful secret, which sabotages their relationship. Can concert weekend liberate him from his tragic past? None Shall Sleep is a story of hope, perseverance, friendship, and love that will captivate anyone who's ever dared to dream big. The novel was a 2014 semifinalist in the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom competition."
374 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2016
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
T.D. Arkenberg
9 books11 followersT.D. Arkenberg was born in Chicago and raised in the suburb of Arlington Heights. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University, majoring in English Literature & History. T.D. received a Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago, concentrating in Finance & Accounting with additional studies at The London Business School.
After 23 years working for a global airline T.D. left the corporate executive world behind to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He has published three novels. His first, Final Descent is the story of a airline in chaos, and the three men who battle for the company’s soul. His second, Jell-O and Jackie O is a poignant coming-of-age tale set in the late 1960s. A little boy escapes family struggles with the aid of an active imagination and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The book was awarded a Bronze Medal by Independent Publishers for best regional fiction. The same book was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. T.D.’s latest novel is None Shall Sleep. The book’s heroine declares that Opera is Life as she sets out to re-invent herself from management consultant to opera singer. The story, set in London and Italy, inspires and delights. An early draft of the novel was a short-list finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. For his next project, a memoir entitled, Two Towers, T.D. covers the catastrophic consequences of the events of September 11, 2001 on his employer, United Airlines and the near simultaneous deaths of his parents.
T.D. is an alumnus of Chicago’s two oldest writers groups, Off Campus Writers Workshop, and the Barrington Writers Workshop as well as the Brussels Writers Circle in Belgium. He also served on the board of the Barrington Chapter of The Lyric Opera of Chicago as the Program co-chair.
T.D., his spouse, and their Golden Retriever moved to Brussels, Belgium in January 2014. T.D. captured their adventures in his blog. In January of 2016, the couple, their Golden Retriever and a new addition, a cat named Puhi returned to their home in Chicago.
After 23 years working for a global airline T.D. left the corporate executive world behind to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He has published three novels. His first, Final Descent is the story of a airline in chaos, and the three men who battle for the company’s soul. His second, Jell-O and Jackie O is a poignant coming-of-age tale set in the late 1960s. A little boy escapes family struggles with the aid of an active imagination and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. The book was awarded a Bronze Medal by Independent Publishers for best regional fiction. The same book was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. T.D.’s latest novel is None Shall Sleep. The book’s heroine declares that Opera is Life as she sets out to re-invent herself from management consultant to opera singer. The story, set in London and Italy, inspires and delights. An early draft of the novel was a short-list finalist in the Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. For his next project, a memoir entitled, Two Towers, T.D. covers the catastrophic consequences of the events of September 11, 2001 on his employer, United Airlines and the near simultaneous deaths of his parents.
T.D. is an alumnus of Chicago’s two oldest writers groups, Off Campus Writers Workshop, and the Barrington Writers Workshop as well as the Brussels Writers Circle in Belgium. He also served on the board of the Barrington Chapter of The Lyric Opera of Chicago as the Program co-chair.
T.D., his spouse, and their Golden Retriever moved to Brussels, Belgium in January 2014. T.D. captured their adventures in his blog. In January of 2016, the couple, their Golden Retriever and a new addition, a cat named Puhi returned to their home in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2021
Fun read - wide range of fun characters that were fairly easy to follow even though there are quite a few. Loved the Italian flavor - charming town, everyone singing, etc. The novel covers three separate events but adds enough history to fill in the characters. It's an opera in itself.
April 29, 2016
LIFE AS OPERA
NONE SHALL SLEEP has its title’s roots in the opera TURANDOT taken from the famous aria, “Nessun dorma,” popularized by the late tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. The opera’s story centers on a princess, Turandot, who must guess her suitor’s name before the sun comes up. The long hours of night pass as the princess mulls over names waiting with her subjects for dawn—all of whom she’s ordered that “none shall sleep.” As her suitor sings the beautiful “Nessun dorma,” he pleads for the princess’ love as he’s “watching the stars that tremble with love and with hope.”
What a backdrop, and what a story! The idea of “trembling with love and hope” helps round out the theme of T. D. Arkenberg’s novel, NONE SHALL SLEEP while it focuses on the main character, a woman with a longing and a passion that could be any one of us. She’s Isabella Fabrini, forty years old, ready to leave an unsatisfying life behind in order to sing—not just something simple, but the demanding sounds of opera. What’s remarkable, funny and eye-opening is all she must do to transform her passion through singing lessons and rigorous practice, into solid reality—complete with a finale of a cheering audience and wild applause.
Dreams take more than a wishing well here. While we follow Isabella’s story, we ask as involved readers do, how many of us could pursue our dreams?” “Are courage and longing enough?” “Will I buckle under the strain?” NONE SHALL SLEEP explores such questions in this vibrant, exciting story filled with colorful characters, unexpected sub-plots and lots of surprises. And so much more.
“Of all the noises known to man,” said Moliere, “opera is the most expensive.” Nevertheless, though Isabella experiences ups, downs, self doubt, and a shaky confidence, her path to the stage culminates in the prestigious concert week, as she grows note by note and octave by octave. “To sing opera, one needs two things—the voice and the passion—and above all the passion,” Andrea Bocelli has said. And sing with passion Isabella does!
What an unusual story written so beautifully by T. D. Arkenberg who clearly enjoys his subject, his characters, and even opera. Bravo, Mr. Arkenberg!
NONE SHALL SLEEP has its title’s roots in the opera TURANDOT taken from the famous aria, “Nessun dorma,” popularized by the late tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. The opera’s story centers on a princess, Turandot, who must guess her suitor’s name before the sun comes up. The long hours of night pass as the princess mulls over names waiting with her subjects for dawn—all of whom she’s ordered that “none shall sleep.” As her suitor sings the beautiful “Nessun dorma,” he pleads for the princess’ love as he’s “watching the stars that tremble with love and with hope.”
What a backdrop, and what a story! The idea of “trembling with love and hope” helps round out the theme of T. D. Arkenberg’s novel, NONE SHALL SLEEP while it focuses on the main character, a woman with a longing and a passion that could be any one of us. She’s Isabella Fabrini, forty years old, ready to leave an unsatisfying life behind in order to sing—not just something simple, but the demanding sounds of opera. What’s remarkable, funny and eye-opening is all she must do to transform her passion through singing lessons and rigorous practice, into solid reality—complete with a finale of a cheering audience and wild applause.
Dreams take more than a wishing well here. While we follow Isabella’s story, we ask as involved readers do, how many of us could pursue our dreams?” “Are courage and longing enough?” “Will I buckle under the strain?” NONE SHALL SLEEP explores such questions in this vibrant, exciting story filled with colorful characters, unexpected sub-plots and lots of surprises. And so much more.
“Of all the noises known to man,” said Moliere, “opera is the most expensive.” Nevertheless, though Isabella experiences ups, downs, self doubt, and a shaky confidence, her path to the stage culminates in the prestigious concert week, as she grows note by note and octave by octave. “To sing opera, one needs two things—the voice and the passion—and above all the passion,” Andrea Bocelli has said. And sing with passion Isabella does!
What an unusual story written so beautifully by T. D. Arkenberg who clearly enjoys his subject, his characters, and even opera. Bravo, Mr. Arkenberg!
April 24, 2016
None Shall Sleep surprises. More than a story of one woman’s journey to self-fulfillment, the story deftly traces the ripple effect of a person’s choices upon family, friends and even strangers.
Isabella Fabrini’s mid-life career change from financial consultant to opera singer terrifies her. What if she fails? She feels solely responsible for her future; life is an act of will. “Art takes guts,” she decides. But as the story unfolds, readers learn how Isa’s progress depends on many people, including Telma, her nemesis, and Luca, the man who lost her trust but hopes to regain it. At so many points, like Isa, we think we know how things must resolve, only to discover life’s unexpected turns take the character and the story to new heights.
Beautifully written, None Shall Sleep will stay with you long after you turn the last, satisfying page. I highly recommend this book.
Isabella Fabrini’s mid-life career change from financial consultant to opera singer terrifies her. What if she fails? She feels solely responsible for her future; life is an act of will. “Art takes guts,” she decides. But as the story unfolds, readers learn how Isa’s progress depends on many people, including Telma, her nemesis, and Luca, the man who lost her trust but hopes to regain it. At so many points, like Isa, we think we know how things must resolve, only to discover life’s unexpected turns take the character and the story to new heights.
Beautifully written, None Shall Sleep will stay with you long after you turn the last, satisfying page. I highly recommend this book.
April 10, 2016
Based on the motto “Opera is life and life is an opera”, T.D. Arkenberg crafts mastefully his new, very own operatic work, including all the right ingredients: drama, conflit, suspense; gracious heros and heroines; conniving villains; strong, vivid characters full of caprices and each fighting their own ghosts; unexpected twists and turns, and a worthy denuement of vindication and catharsis.
All the above is crowned by realistic and lively dialogues and written in his usual flawlessly flowing style; a pure joy to read. “None shall sleep” made me realise that while we may think we know ourselves, and we may think we know someone close to us one single, specific moment can be all that is needed to prove the exact opposite. Congratulations T.D.Arkenberg!
All the above is crowned by realistic and lively dialogues and written in his usual flawlessly flowing style; a pure joy to read. “None shall sleep” made me realise that while we may think we know ourselves, and we may think we know someone close to us one single, specific moment can be all that is needed to prove the exact opposite. Congratulations T.D.Arkenberg!
April 9, 2016
Bravo, a vivid story of passion and triumph
In None Shall Sleep, T.D. Arkenburg created wonderfully captivating personalities that had me hoping, dreaming, chuckling, grimacing, rooting and recoiling. The richness and depth of his characters are splendid. His intriguing ecosystem of lovers, friends, teachers, confidants and traitors is supported by a backdrop of realistic and magical settings.
His novel brings readers on a journey that is immediately satisfying and deeply inspirational.
Bon voyage.
Merci, T.D. Arkenburg, Bravo!
In None Shall Sleep, T.D. Arkenburg created wonderfully captivating personalities that had me hoping, dreaming, chuckling, grimacing, rooting and recoiling. The richness and depth of his characters are splendid. His intriguing ecosystem of lovers, friends, teachers, confidants and traitors is supported by a backdrop of realistic and magical settings.
His novel brings readers on a journey that is immediately satisfying and deeply inspirational.
Bon voyage.
Merci, T.D. Arkenburg, Bravo!
February 16, 2016
None Shall Sleep is a fast, fun read, full of twists and turns. It combines clever dialogue, drama queens, and a group of friends, thrown together over the years, following the friend Isa's musical avocation.
The locales of London and Italy are favorites of mine, and the author has a good grasp of what makes and breaks friendships.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
JStevens
Chicago, IL
The locales of London and Italy are favorites of mine, and the author has a good grasp of what makes and breaks friendships.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
JStevens
Chicago, IL
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews