1636: The Flight of the Nightingale

Assiti Shards #28

by David Carrico

TWO SHORT NOVELS SET IN ERIC FLINT'S BESTSELLING RING OF FIRE SERIES from David Carrico, co-author of 1636: The Devil's Opera, and The Span of Empire.

Time waits for no one, but for the residents of 17th-century Europe, the future comes calling—ahead of time! Due to a temporal disturbance known as the Ring of Fire, the 20th-century town of Grantville, West Virginia, finds itself transported through time and space to Central Europe in the year 1632. The turmoil resulting from the event has massive repercussions for the up-time citizens of Grantville, the down-time citizens of Europe—and the world at large. Massive political and social upheavals take place. But change happens on a smaller, human scale, too.

In The Flight of the Nightingale, down-timer Francesca Caccini is inspired by the arrival of Grantville to seek a different destiny from what would have been her lot otherwise. And in Bach to the Future, Johann and his brothers commit themselves to preserve, protect, and promote their family's heritage from the future.

Two short novels, set in Eric Flint's bestselling Ring of Fire series, that shine a light on the overlooked corners of the Ring of Fire universe, where small actions can have life-altering consequences.

About 1636: The Devil's Opera, by Eric Flint and David Carrico:

“Another engaging alternate history from a master of the genre.”—Booklist

“. . . an old-style police-procedural mystery, set in 17th century Germany. . . . the threads . . . spin together . . . to weave an addictively entertaining story. . . . a strong addition to a fun series.”—The Galveston County Daily News

Genres: Alternate History, Time Travel, Science Fiction, Music, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2019

About the author

David Carrico is best known for the novels 1636: The Devil’s Opera and The Span of Empire (both written in collaboration with Eric Flint). His most recent book, 1636: Flight of the Nightingale, will be released in November 2019 by Baen Books. David began his writing career publishing stories in The Grantville Gazette e-magazine in 2004, and to date his stories have appeared in The Grantville Gazette, the Ring of Fire anthologies from Baen Books, in Jim Baen’s Universe e-magazine, and in Baen.com’s monthly free story offerings.

Reviews

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two stories! The first is about La Cecchina! The second, the Bach brothers!

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two novelettes about the influence of the Ring of Fire on musical traditions, by the author and using many of the same characters as 1636: The Devil's Opera. Very nicely done. I always enjoy these explorations of how ideas from the future could spread in unusual ways.

The second story was a very powerful love story, with love of music mixed with love blossoming between two unlikely sweethearts. I honestly found it so touching I cried and screamed a bit. It was such a heart-rending study of how people can make mistakes in a relationship and might recover from the mistake, and yet told in a way that (like the best of sff) has the point made in ways that are more clear because of the unusual situation. I liked it a lot.

[Redsteve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two novellas, unrelated except that both focus on musicians. "The Flight of the Nightingale" is an escape/pursuit story, set in Italy and focusing on Francesca Caccini ("the Nightingale of Florence") fleeing the court of the Medici. While there is a musical basis, there is no music in the novella. Uptimers have very little (directly) to do with the story. "Bach to the Future" has a LOT of music in it. Theoretical, philosophical and religious discussions, construction of a pipe organ, and performances of various genres. All of that story takes place in the Germanies and there is a fairly even split of Uptimers and Downtimers. Neither tale really grabbed me and I was actively irritated by the use of modern slang/turns of phrase by the Italian characters in the first story, none of whom seem to have had much interactions with Uptimers. 2.5 stars. Serviceable but not great.

[Kevin K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid offering in the 1632 Universe, this time with a musical bent. While I enjoyed both stories contained in the book, I preferred Bach to the Future.

I'll echo some of the other reviews and mentioned that I'd like to see more of the "main" story lines finish up and less side stories, although I do appreciate the fleshing out of the world.

I would recommend this to people that enjoy the series.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both stories are outstanding!! Flight of the Nightingale has a nice twist and emphasizes the yearn for freedom that Grantville represents throughout the ROF books. Bach to the Future gives the reader a sense of what it feels like to perform (voice, instrument, dance) music that touches the soul of the artist and the listener (viewer).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 excellent stories on the effects of the Ring of Fire on the history and production of music in Europe. Absolutely enjoyed the details of the society of the time, as well as the intricacies of Bach.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could, I would give 1636: The Flight of the Nightingale six stars!!

Flight of the Nightingale is actually two 1632 novels under one cover. The first book is about a court musician who has given over 40 years of her life as a performer but is ready to retire now. Except she's trapped. She hears about Grantville and determines that she will flee from her home in Italy. She knows that the Dowager Countess will see that this musician is pursued (and brought back to court if caught) so she plans her escape meticulously.

The second novel is Bach to the Future. Again, about musicians. In this case Johann Bach. The uptimers introduce him to Johann Sebastian Bach's work, in particular the organ music. In particular, Toccata and Fugue in D minor which blows Johann's mind.

The uptimers explain about the "butterfly effect". That is, due to the Ring of Fire and Grantville suddenly finding itself four hundred years in the past, the great Johann Sebastian Bach will now never be born (nevermind that he was the grandson of Johann's brother Christoph in the old timeline).

Johann immediately determines that the great music written by J.S. Bach is now Johann & his two brothers' heritage and it is up to them to make sure the new timeline never forgets either J.S. Bach or his glorious music.

Yes, this is Ring of Fire Number 28. BUT you do NOT have to have read the entire 27 novels before you read this one. You can read this book even if you had never read a 1632 book if you are good with alternate history AND you either really love music OR you can appreciate characters who live and breathe music/fine arts.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel Flight of the Nightingale. The second novel Bach to the Future kept me up until all hours late at night because towards the end I just could NOT put it down because I was enjoying it too much!!

Yes, I really enjoy the 1632 series. Yes, there were parts of 1636: The China Venture that were a little tedious [it was a LONG journey to get to China, OK?]. But Bach to the Future really sang for me! Yes, the 1632 series was begun by Eric Flint but now is being written both by Mr. Flint and by a number of other authors as well now. I had also really enjoyed David Carrico's 1636: The Devil's Opera (Ring of Fire Series Book 14).

So, after finally finishing Bach to the Future, I went back to Amazon to see what else David Carrico might have written. I was delighted to find 1635: Music and Murder (Ring of Fire anthologies Book 4). I also really enjoy the site Fantastic Fiction.

Here I found Mr. Carrico's fantasy series. I ALSO really enjoy a good dragon book. A well-written book with an interesting dragon paired with an interesting human. What is terrific about owning a Kindle is that I can not only discover other books I'd like to read but I can purchase them online, download them, and start reading Dragon's Boy (Dragon Wizard bk 1) today!

AND the second book comes out Christmas Eve (later this week) so I, of course, I ordered both books! (After I read the preview first two chapters, of course. I knew I was interested and after reading the sample I was sure I'd enjoy this book!)

There is actually more of the 1632 series than I can read. So, for the most part, I have limited myself to the books with a year at the beginning of the title with the idea that if I really enjoy a book, I could always go back to look for other 1632 books by that author. Which worked out very well for me today! 1636: Flight of the Nightingale by David Carrico is highly recommended for all fans of alternate history, good music, and for fans of character-driven action!

[Daniel Shellenbarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much to say about this one, it's a pair of novellas by David Carrico set in Eric Flint's Ring of Fire universe that follow on his favorite theme, how the time-displaced town has affected the music and lives of the musicians of the 17th century. The first story follows a famed Florentine singer known as La Ceccina (aka The Nightingale) who's sick of being a decoration of the Tuscan court and develops a cunning scheme to escape the Medicis and create a new life for herself and her daughter. The second story is primarily about Johann Bach, a member of the widespread Bach family of musicians and theoretical grand-uncle and namesake of the famed composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who moves with his two brothers to Magdeburg to build an organ for the new Opera House and becomes intrigued by the music of J.S. Bach brought back by the up-timers as well as developing feelings for one of the up-timers, a young woman with a passion for dance. These aren't as good as his Music and Murder novella release, but both were solid stories and as always, his character writing and grasp of the culture clash of a 20th century American town in 17th century Europe is top-notch.

[Maurynne Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first story, and unusually for me, did not guess the surprise ending. Well played. Oh, the Bachs. This story works on all levels beautifully. I'm unfamiliar with a couple of the pieces described and will try to find them. And the women are written well, not always the case in this series. I had a disagreement as to the levels of responsibility of the conflict in the Bach story, but after thought I have to agree with the author's decision. I would love to see a novel from this guy. I like stories that make me think and feel and imagine. Unlike the China Venture which dragged out and had plot elements with no connection to the story, this was a great read, a keeper, and money well spent.

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually two short stories added to the Ring of Fire universe. The first is the story that lends its name to the book title. A Florentine singer, Francesca Caccini, flees the court to pursue a new and better life for her daughter in the USE. The second story is a love story of the great uncle of JS Bach who becomes an organ builder and performer in Magdeburg.

Both of the stories are good enough to keep me interested, but not nearly enough to be considered great or memorable. I am willing to guess that three months from now I won't remember a thing about them as is often the case with short stories in the RoF universe.

[hCharles Obert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Flint has opened a gold mine not only for the Ring of Fire Publishing House, but also a wealth of ideas coming in from new authors (this is the second one I found by David Carrico) ... this is actually to long short stories with different aspects musical talent and what drives the artist to act.

Both these stories were enjoyable reading for me and I think you'll like the also if you are a fan of the expanding universe.
(I read an essay that Eric posted a link to on face Book in which he said this venture is growing to a point the expect to be publishing 3 novels a month)

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two novellas under one cover, both having music or musicians at their core. In "Flight of the Nightingale," Francesca Caccini flees from Firenze, Italy in the dead of the night with one companion heading north to Grantville and hopefully a new life free from being in service as a court musician to Duke of Tuscany. In "Bach to the Future," Johann Bach encounters his possible descendant's music while building an organ in Magdeburg. He also encounters an uptimer who changes the course of his life. Each tale are satisfying in their own way and add to the richness of the 1632 universe.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another rollicking adventure in The Ring of Fire series of alternate history. To read them is to become wrapped up in the lives of the various characters. How can Johann, Heinrich, and Cristoph best serve the memory of their yet to be born grandson, the immortal Johann Sebastian Bach, whose memory proceeds retrograde from the future when Grantsville, West Virginia is translated wholepiece 350 years in the past to the midst of the various provinces of the Germanies.

[William Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

You rat bastards. You know I have to sleep sometime, right? Maybe I shouldn’t have started reading so late...

These are two high quality stories. Better, in many ways, than some of the full novels in the series. If there is any disappointment, it is that the first one ended before the music got started. The second story was exquisite.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable stories. I did wish the "flight" story continued on with the heroine's life in her new home, but what we got was entertaining. And the Bach story was lovely. Carrico knows how to write a tearjerker.

[Dwight Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic book from the Ring of Fire series

Two separate stories about the Ring of Fire, and involving the world of music throughout. An excellent additional look at how Grantville influenced the world when it was transported to Thirty Year War in Germany.

[Michael Annis · Rating 2 out of 5]

dreadful

Sorry, I have loved this series till this book. First story was good then there was endless pages about organs and music. For the fist time I sped through. Not for me, sadly. It was boring.

[Aamundson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume contains two stories. I really liked the first, and appreciated the author making the story no longer than it needed to be. The second ended up reading almost like a (not particularly realistic) rom-com, which was unexpected when the story began.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two strong additions to the Assitti Canon involve music, musicians, and downtimers. Lots about organs, Bach antecedents, and descendants, as Mary Simpson works to create a vibrant musical presence in Germany during the early 17th century.

[Robert Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed both stories although, I was rooting for Staci and Johann the most.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the stories! Kept checking the dates to see how they were related, but they are not! Just wonderful tales from the Ring of Fire universe.

[James F · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried at the concert at the end of the book

[Peter Meek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music, music, music

Like many of the Ring of Fire series, concentrating on a single aspect - music in this case. As a Bach fan, the second section appealed particularly for me.

[George Greene]

Not every smile is a Grin, good story but Please
buy a Thesaurus

[LinHigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love organ music.and freedom from servatude

The showdown at the selling was thrilling. The love story and emotional upheaval of broken lovers bright me to tears.

[Charlene S. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent works in the Ring of Fire series

These add on stories in the Ring of Ire series were just terrific!!
Well written, well presented!
Thank you for your devotion.

[Dave Rhoden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I finally actually started reading I could barely put it down, not even to eat.

[Bonny Fuller-Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 Great stories

Pursued by mercenaries, Francesca and Marco, flee Italy for the USE. In Magdeberg, Johann Bach designs and builds an organ his ancestor would be proud to play.

[Lance Hansche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not part of the geo-political line of the series - nor the science/tech line.
A vignette of the tied-labor line - an opera singer who has to escape her patroness, literally.

[Charles MacCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Flight was a good read, but the story af the Bach brothers was excellent. CMac