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Witches' Dance
Hilda Greer discovered the violin at the age of seven, when she attended a performance by the virtuoso Phillip Manns. She believed him with a child’s faith when he declared himself the reincarnation of Niccolò Paganini and then dashed from the stage, his mind in ruins. Manns disappeared from the music world after that catastrophic performance, but Hilda’s love affair with the violin was just beginning.
Nearly a decade after his breakdown, Phillip Manns lives a reclusive life, safely insulated against the temptations of music—until a former colleague begs him to teach at a nearby conservatory. It’s there that he meets Hilda Greer, who’s come to audition at the insistence of her mother. She plays for him the piece that started it all: Paganini’s Le Streghe, or Witches’ Dance.
Entranced by the character of Hilda’s playing and unable to resist the siren call of music, Phillip takes Hilda under his wing. The two start a witches’ dance of their own, a whirlwind that sweeps them toward the International Paganini Competition. When their curtain falls, one will bask in the music world’s acclaim—and the other’s world will be shattered completely.
Nearly a decade after his breakdown, Phillip Manns lives a reclusive life, safely insulated against the temptations of music—until a former colleague begs him to teach at a nearby conservatory. It’s there that he meets Hilda Greer, who’s come to audition at the insistence of her mother. She plays for him the piece that started it all: Paganini’s Le Streghe, or Witches’ Dance.
Entranced by the character of Hilda’s playing and unable to resist the siren call of music, Phillip takes Hilda under his wing. The two start a witches’ dance of their own, a whirlwind that sweeps them toward the International Paganini Competition. When their curtain falls, one will bask in the music world’s acclaim—and the other’s world will be shattered completely.
464 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2019
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132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 12, 2020
In this suspenseful novel of ambition and madness in the world of classical music, Hilda Greer is a young violinist who as a child was taken to a dramatic concert, one in which a great violinist played with an up and coming young Russian girl, winner of the Paganini competition, as the older violinist had been in his time. The concert took an unexpected turn when the virtuoso brought the house down, playing Paganini's Witches' Dance, to subsequently announce he WAS Paganini, drop his priceless violin to the stage and run out of the theater, shadowed by ghosts.
The novel follows Hilda as she develops as a violinist, her story, young loves and so on, and that of the great violinist, Phillip Manns, who has stopped playing or even listening to classical music, so fragile was his mental state after that fateful concert--and how their stories begins to mesh in a Boston Conservatory classroom.
Witchy, astonishing, personal, a coming of age story, a psychological thriller, a ghost story, and a portrait of the artist's life from three perspectives--Hilda's , Phillip's, and that of Hilda's lost-soul mother Claire, once an aspiring dancer whose career was cut short by her youthful choice to continue an unexpected pregnancy. It's the story of the artist emergent, the artist at the height of his powers and the edge of madness, and the artist self-forsaken. A fascinating story well told.
The novel follows Hilda as she develops as a violinist, her story, young loves and so on, and that of the great violinist, Phillip Manns, who has stopped playing or even listening to classical music, so fragile was his mental state after that fateful concert--and how their stories begins to mesh in a Boston Conservatory classroom.
Witchy, astonishing, personal, a coming of age story, a psychological thriller, a ghost story, and a portrait of the artist's life from three perspectives--Hilda's , Phillip's, and that of Hilda's lost-soul mother Claire, once an aspiring dancer whose career was cut short by her youthful choice to continue an unexpected pregnancy. It's the story of the artist emergent, the artist at the height of his powers and the edge of madness, and the artist self-forsaken. A fascinating story well told.
October 13, 2019
When I picked this book up initially, I thought it was going to be a book about witches. I didn't know anything about the classical violinist Niccolo Paganini and his Witches' Dance. Didn't matter. This was an interesting book involving a violinist, Phillip Manns, who thinks he IS Paganini and a young girl, Hilda, who was influenced so much by him and his music that she became a very accomplished violinist herself. Hilda saw Manns perform when she was 7. When she was a teenager, Manns became her violin instructor.
Hilda has issues with both her mother and her father. Hilda's mother is fighting her own battles with alcohol and her sense of self. Phillip Manns has some major mental issues that seem to stem from his childhood. The entire book revolves around these three as each struggles with their own demons. An interesting story. It delves into the hard work and determination it takes to become a great musician.
Thanks to Erin Eileen Almond and Lanternfish Press through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hilda has issues with both her mother and her father. Hilda's mother is fighting her own battles with alcohol and her sense of self. Phillip Manns has some major mental issues that seem to stem from his childhood. The entire book revolves around these three as each struggles with their own demons. An interesting story. It delves into the hard work and determination it takes to become a great musician.
Thanks to Erin Eileen Almond and Lanternfish Press through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
Ok, this book was nothing like what I expected and is not my usual kind of read but I could NOT put it down & read it within 1 afternoon!
TRIGGER WARNING
Medication
Delusions
Suicide
Sexual assault (rape)
Self-harm
Alcoholism
Abusive Relationships
Yep, this book contains some heavy stuff and had I known all of this, I probably wouldn’t have read it but seriously, woah.
I worried for Hilda, and was empathetic to a point with Mr Manns. I felt like the dynamic between Hilda and her mother, Claire was maddening but believable (until Claire doesn’t get involved in Hilda’s inappropriate relationship).
I was constantly on edge wondering where it would go & even though towards the end it got pretty graphic, I still didn’t think that Hilda’s relationship was glorified but whether she was descending into his madness? All I can say is thank goodness for Irina’s timing!
Brilliant, dark adult read.
TRIGGER WARNING
Medication
Delusions
Suicide
Sexual assault (rape)
Self-harm
Alcoholism
Abusive Relationships
Yep, this book contains some heavy stuff and had I known all of this, I probably wouldn’t have read it but seriously, woah.
I worried for Hilda, and was empathetic to a point with Mr Manns. I felt like the dynamic between Hilda and her mother, Claire was maddening but believable (until Claire doesn’t get involved in Hilda’s inappropriate relationship).
I was constantly on edge wondering where it would go & even though towards the end it got pretty graphic, I still didn’t think that Hilda’s relationship was glorified but whether she was descending into his madness? All I can say is thank goodness for Irina’s timing!
Brilliant, dark adult read.
October 6, 2019
Witches’ Dance by Erin Eileen Almond
Source: NetGalley and Lanternfish Press
Rating: 5/5 stars
I have been fortunate over the last few weeks to encounter some truly spectacular reads and Erin Eileen Almond’s Witches’ Dance is not exception!
Phillip Manns has lived three very different lives: 1) as the devoted son of a desperately ill mother, 2) as a violin prodigy known the world over, and 3) as a man also desperately ill and completely removed from his love of music and performance. In the years since his very public breakdown and total humiliation, Phillip has barely allowed himself even the luxury of listening to music, let alone playing. He has devoted himself to writing his memoir, consistently taking his medication, and indulging in antique shopping. Removed from the thing he most dearly loves, Phillip has managed to carve out a half-life for himself that worries his aging and devoted cousin. To bring him back into the world, his cousin arranges for Phillip to become a teacher at a prestigious conservatory, an arrangement that is as risky as it is exciting.
Hilda Greer was only a child when Phillip Manns endured his most profound public shame. As an audience member, Hilda witnessed the meltdown, but was too young to fully understand the implications of Phillip’s actions. What she was not too young to understand was the elegance, confidence, and pure genius of Phillip’s abilities. As a sullen and somewhat angry teenager, Hilda is looking for her path in life and is most surprised to find it is in Phillip Mann’s classroom. Hilda learned to play violin as a child and as a teenager, her skill is virtually unrivaled but lacking in proper technique and guidance. Under Phillip Mann’s tutelage, Hilda intends to play as she never has before, to achieve dreams she never thought possible, and possess a man still tortured by his own very real demons.
As the days and weeks pass, Hilda becomes obsessed with her lessons, practice, and pleasing Phillip Mann. She is by far Phillip’s most accomplished student and he intends to take her to the prestigious International Paganini Competition in Italy, a competition Phillip himself won many years ago. As their work together intensifies so do their feelings for one another. Though Phillip is considerably older than Hilda he feels a deep connection to her and her to him. The music, especially Paganini bind the two, and while Phillip helps Hilda learn to feel and live through her music, he also slowly begins to devolve into the madness he once so passionately embraced.
As the Paganini competition grows ever closer, Hilda and Phillip must learn to navigate their respective realities. For Hilda, reality is practice, performance, and securing the love of Phillip Mann. For Phillip, reality is often a hazy sort of dream he floats through completely unaware of his erratic behavior. Though he cares deeply for Hilda and wants to see her succeed, he has also become obsessed with his own work, his abilities, and his return to the stage. For Phillip, there is nothing, not even his feelings for Hilda that can compare to the thunderous applause of an audience, the adoration of the masses, and the connection to his idol, Paganini.
The Bottom Line: I was hooked on this story from the very beginning and simply devoured this read! The imagery is dark, the descriptions of the music haunting, and nearly every relationship is toxic. The entire book is permeated with a very real sense of dread, despair, and inevitable ugliness and I loved every word of it! The darkness of this book and its troubling themes are enhanced by the music and require the reader to sink as fully into the madness as the characters. In truth, I am confounded by the star rating for this book on Goodreads. I found this book to be darkly intelligent, maddening, wonderfully descriptive, and troubling. In short, an excellent read that truly epitomizes the troubled souls trope!
Source: NetGalley and Lanternfish Press
Rating: 5/5 stars
I have been fortunate over the last few weeks to encounter some truly spectacular reads and Erin Eileen Almond’s Witches’ Dance is not exception!
Phillip Manns has lived three very different lives: 1) as the devoted son of a desperately ill mother, 2) as a violin prodigy known the world over, and 3) as a man also desperately ill and completely removed from his love of music and performance. In the years since his very public breakdown and total humiliation, Phillip has barely allowed himself even the luxury of listening to music, let alone playing. He has devoted himself to writing his memoir, consistently taking his medication, and indulging in antique shopping. Removed from the thing he most dearly loves, Phillip has managed to carve out a half-life for himself that worries his aging and devoted cousin. To bring him back into the world, his cousin arranges for Phillip to become a teacher at a prestigious conservatory, an arrangement that is as risky as it is exciting.
Hilda Greer was only a child when Phillip Manns endured his most profound public shame. As an audience member, Hilda witnessed the meltdown, but was too young to fully understand the implications of Phillip’s actions. What she was not too young to understand was the elegance, confidence, and pure genius of Phillip’s abilities. As a sullen and somewhat angry teenager, Hilda is looking for her path in life and is most surprised to find it is in Phillip Mann’s classroom. Hilda learned to play violin as a child and as a teenager, her skill is virtually unrivaled but lacking in proper technique and guidance. Under Phillip Mann’s tutelage, Hilda intends to play as she never has before, to achieve dreams she never thought possible, and possess a man still tortured by his own very real demons.
As the days and weeks pass, Hilda becomes obsessed with her lessons, practice, and pleasing Phillip Mann. She is by far Phillip’s most accomplished student and he intends to take her to the prestigious International Paganini Competition in Italy, a competition Phillip himself won many years ago. As their work together intensifies so do their feelings for one another. Though Phillip is considerably older than Hilda he feels a deep connection to her and her to him. The music, especially Paganini bind the two, and while Phillip helps Hilda learn to feel and live through her music, he also slowly begins to devolve into the madness he once so passionately embraced.
As the Paganini competition grows ever closer, Hilda and Phillip must learn to navigate their respective realities. For Hilda, reality is practice, performance, and securing the love of Phillip Mann. For Phillip, reality is often a hazy sort of dream he floats through completely unaware of his erratic behavior. Though he cares deeply for Hilda and wants to see her succeed, he has also become obsessed with his own work, his abilities, and his return to the stage. For Phillip, there is nothing, not even his feelings for Hilda that can compare to the thunderous applause of an audience, the adoration of the masses, and the connection to his idol, Paganini.
The Bottom Line: I was hooked on this story from the very beginning and simply devoured this read! The imagery is dark, the descriptions of the music haunting, and nearly every relationship is toxic. The entire book is permeated with a very real sense of dread, despair, and inevitable ugliness and I loved every word of it! The darkness of this book and its troubling themes are enhanced by the music and require the reader to sink as fully into the madness as the characters. In truth, I am confounded by the star rating for this book on Goodreads. I found this book to be darkly intelligent, maddening, wonderfully descriptive, and troubling. In short, an excellent read that truly epitomizes the troubled souls trope!
October 11, 2020
This was almost five stars but the second half felt a bit rushed. I also felt there were just too many explicit sex scenes seemed almost gratuitous; fewer would have done the trick and made those scenes even more powerful.
But overall, very well done.
But overall, very well done.
December 1, 2023
Thank you to Lanternfish Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on October 22nd, 2019.
Plot: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Writing: 3/5
An ambitious novel about a young violinist who must fight her own inner demons while in thrall to an extremely talented — and potentially crazy — teacher and former prodigy. The chapters rotate through the perspectives of the three main characters: Hilda, the young violinist who we meet at age 15; her mother Claire, a ballerina whose career was killed by an unplanned pregnancy; and Phillip Manns, a former prodigy who suffered a nervous collapse eight years previously and is only now allowing music in some form back into his life.
The story is gripping. While there were some wonderful musical references, the story is far more about the melodrama of their relationships and personal discovery (or lack thereof). Personally, I would have enjoyed more about the music, the drive, and the “art” portion of those with artistic sensibilities. This is more of a drama with an excellent musical background than a literary piece that manages to convey what it means to be such an artist. For example, while Hilda spends an astonishing amount of time practicing, all her thoughts and reflections are bent towards her obsession with Phillip Manns. Manns, on the other hand, is obsessed with the music but is haunted by the memory of his “beautiful, doomed mother,” Domenica. Claire is struggling to both hide and express the “Secret Mother” within her — the mother who wishes she wasn’t a mother at all.
Strong, dramatic plot, decent writing, characters that I did not bond with(but you might) and some beautiful musical context. My big takeaway — I want to go to the bi-annual Paganini competition held in Genoa next Fall.
Plot: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Writing: 3/5
An ambitious novel about a young violinist who must fight her own inner demons while in thrall to an extremely talented — and potentially crazy — teacher and former prodigy. The chapters rotate through the perspectives of the three main characters: Hilda, the young violinist who we meet at age 15; her mother Claire, a ballerina whose career was killed by an unplanned pregnancy; and Phillip Manns, a former prodigy who suffered a nervous collapse eight years previously and is only now allowing music in some form back into his life.
The story is gripping. While there were some wonderful musical references, the story is far more about the melodrama of their relationships and personal discovery (or lack thereof). Personally, I would have enjoyed more about the music, the drive, and the “art” portion of those with artistic sensibilities. This is more of a drama with an excellent musical background than a literary piece that manages to convey what it means to be such an artist. For example, while Hilda spends an astonishing amount of time practicing, all her thoughts and reflections are bent towards her obsession with Phillip Manns. Manns, on the other hand, is obsessed with the music but is haunted by the memory of his “beautiful, doomed mother,” Domenica. Claire is struggling to both hide and express the “Secret Mother” within her — the mother who wishes she wasn’t a mother at all.
Strong, dramatic plot, decent writing, characters that I did not bond with(but you might) and some beautiful musical context. My big takeaway — I want to go to the bi-annual Paganini competition held in Genoa next Fall.
June 19, 2019
I really wanted to love this book. It has many intriguing aspects and all the right ingredients for those with a passion for classical music, including the focus on Paganini, interesting characters, complex family relationships, an element of mystery and an original idea. However, it just didn’t quite live up to its promising description. I felt the author’s love of music, but it was a bit as if she had done a lot of research and was more concerned with inserting information than with conveying the real emotion involved in performing. Somehow it didn’t entirely ring true.
There is rather too much going on, as the story explores Phillip’s relationship with his mother, his rivalry with his colleague Mark, his mental illness, self-harming and obsession with Paganini, his relationships with various women, including his pupil Hilda, Hilda’s conflictual relationship with her mother, the mother’s problems with alcohol and self-esteem etc. On the way we also encounter various secondary figures who are never fully explored, such as Hilda’s friend, her boyfriend, her fellow student, the mother’s various boyfriends and Violetta, Phillip’s aunt. It is all rather distracting and takes away from the main story line.
All in all, I liked the underlying idea but would have preferred the author to explore fewer themes in more depth. I want to believe in the characters, understand them and identify with them, even if I don’t necessarily like them. I want to be caught up in the story and in this case, unfortunately, it didn’t quite happen.
There is rather too much going on, as the story explores Phillip’s relationship with his mother, his rivalry with his colleague Mark, his mental illness, self-harming and obsession with Paganini, his relationships with various women, including his pupil Hilda, Hilda’s conflictual relationship with her mother, the mother’s problems with alcohol and self-esteem etc. On the way we also encounter various secondary figures who are never fully explored, such as Hilda’s friend, her boyfriend, her fellow student, the mother’s various boyfriends and Violetta, Phillip’s aunt. It is all rather distracting and takes away from the main story line.
All in all, I liked the underlying idea but would have preferred the author to explore fewer themes in more depth. I want to believe in the characters, understand them and identify with them, even if I don’t necessarily like them. I want to be caught up in the story and in this case, unfortunately, it didn’t quite happen.
May 18, 2020
3-4 stars. I loved the bulk of this story. Almond definitely got me interested in exploring more classical music! I highly recommend listening to her suggested playlist (can find most in iTunes & Spotify) to accompany the novel - definitely gets you in the mood and you can HEAR the passion in the strings, something that is rather difficult to express in writing.
There's strong, vivid writing in this despite a hurried ending. I was mostly baffled by how quickly Claire's storyline got wrapped up. She was the most complex to me, but she seems to quite suddenly get everything together in the end and resolves a lot of issues with her daughter in just a few pages.
I don't think I cared either way about Phillip Manns character. The "tortured genius" trope is exhausting. Couldn't really figure out his illness/mental affliction most of the time (the use of "wolf tone" confused me). Overall, his characterization fell rather flat on the page, while Hilda was very intriguing and believable. I especially liked the scene of her listening to records in the living room and discovering her love of the classical violin, how the loneliness of the music matched her childhood and parent's moods.
But what a debut! An intriguing story and unlike anything I've read recently. Bravo, Erin Almond!
There's strong, vivid writing in this despite a hurried ending. I was mostly baffled by how quickly Claire's storyline got wrapped up. She was the most complex to me, but she seems to quite suddenly get everything together in the end and resolves a lot of issues with her daughter in just a few pages.
I don't think I cared either way about Phillip Manns character. The "tortured genius" trope is exhausting. Couldn't really figure out his illness/mental affliction most of the time (the use of "wolf tone" confused me). Overall, his characterization fell rather flat on the page, while Hilda was very intriguing and believable. I especially liked the scene of her listening to records in the living room and discovering her love of the classical violin, how the loneliness of the music matched her childhood and parent's moods.
But what a debut! An intriguing story and unlike anything I've read recently. Bravo, Erin Almond!
March 6, 2020
I can't believe how underrated this book is. Out of all the young adult books that came out last year, this one really stood out for me. Whether you're a musician or not, you can really relate to the characters because you get to see both their light and their shadows, and I really appreciated the fact that we got to know more about the rest of the characters as well and just not the main one, it really made all the difference when it came to building up the world of the story. It's humane, it's raw and it revindicated young adult for me (I usually close a YA book with this sour taste in my mouth and thinking that I should have been reading something else instead). I didn't feel that way about this one. I absolutely loved it and I cannot believe that it wasn't as hyped as it should be. If you haven't read it, please give this book a chance if you're into deep, complex character building, mental health or music. It felt like just the right mixture between YA and literary fiction.
July 15, 2019
The title drew me in immediately, and the when the synopsis informed me that I would get to read about violinists, Paganini, and an international music competition, I was like, "Yes, Please!"
Music and mental illness lend well to beautiful prose, and the author delivered. The characters, in all their flaws, are believable people - even if you don't like them all the time. The story gets a little dark, but honestly, it was realistic. This is not a light read, but one that is definitely worth it if you love a tortured musician's tale.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for an honest review.
Music and mental illness lend well to beautiful prose, and the author delivered. The characters, in all their flaws, are believable people - even if you don't like them all the time. The story gets a little dark, but honestly, it was realistic. This is not a light read, but one that is definitely worth it if you love a tortured musician's tale.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy for an honest review.
July 17, 2019
Thanks to #netgalley and #lanternfish publishing for letting me read and review #witchesdance by @erinalmond1. This was a great story about a musical prodigy with mental health issues who goes on to teach a young girl violin. They both struggle with their own demons and while he has much to teach her, she is integral in teaching him as well. I loved the musical world that was portrayed and the struggles the characters had to go through to achieve their goals. Would highly recommend this book and can’t wait to see what this author writes next!
October 17, 2022
This is one of those rare reads that gives a craaazy amount of detail into something about which you (probably) didn't know a ton, but what you quickly discover is a FASCINATING world. It would be too easy to say that it's a coming of age story- although it is- and wouldn't do it justice to describe it as a peek into the world of gifted musicians. The complexity of the violin, the deeply flawed characters and their binds to one another, and the pace of this tale all come together in a beautiful symphony. Loved the writing and look forward to more works from this author!
June 29, 2023
A fascinating read, Witches' Dance was a powerful story.
Hilda Greer discovered the violin at the age of seven, when she attended a performance by the virtuoso Phillip Manns. She believed him with a child’s faith when he declared himself the reincarnation of Niccolò Paganini and then dashed from the stage, his mind in ruins. Manns disappeared from the music world after that catastrophic performance, but Hilda’s love affair with the violin was just beginning.
Hilda Greer discovered the violin at the age of seven, when she attended a performance by the virtuoso Phillip Manns. She believed him with a child’s faith when he declared himself the reincarnation of Niccolò Paganini and then dashed from the stage, his mind in ruins. Manns disappeared from the music world after that catastrophic performance, but Hilda’s love affair with the violin was just beginning.
February 24, 2020
Wow. Especially for musicians, this book is a treasure. But even the tone-deaf will find something to love: lyrical prose, characters who charm even as they mislead the reader, magical details that remain just off-the-page out of reach (did he really see that, or is it a delusion?). Full review to follow.
May 13, 2020
I loved Witches' Dance. It's a compelling, well-crafted narrative filled with finely nuanced characters who really resonated with me. The writing is excellent, concise and evocative. Added bonus: a list of recommended recordings to immerse yourself in the music mentioned in the story. Highly recommend!
November 23, 2019
A seductive and insightful look at the role of madness in artistic genius. But not in the ways you'd usually think. My full review is here.
July 25, 2022
I love the story and the drama and the music in this novel. Does madness always accompany genius? But the writing... For some reason it never resonated with me and it was hard to plod through at times.
October 29, 2019
I love this book; the characters will stay with you long after you finish—I particularly like the mom! As a bonus, it comes wit a playlist!
December 12, 2019
Enjoyed this book very much. The depth of the characters was refreshing. Not just one Main Character and one-dimensional supporting cast.
March 18, 2020
Not what I expected but a good read
January 25, 2021
This was fun to read and a fascinating glimpse into the world of concert musicians.
December 1, 2019
I didn't want to finish this book, but I couldn't put it down.
There was a little continuity issue (pants off? pants on?), but I'll chalk that up to an editing error. I knew what was going on!
There was a little continuity issue (pants off? pants on?), but I'll chalk that up to an editing error. I knew what was going on!
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