Harriet Constable’s The Instrumentalist is an extraordinary debut that resonated with me profoundly. It arrived just when I needed a story of determination and faith the most. I am definitely going to be one of her ardent readers—whatever she writes next, I’ll be reading!
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Book: The Instrumentalist
Genre: Historical Fiction
Language: English
Author: Harriet Constable
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Wow! What an incredible debut this is. I absolutely devoured *The Instrumentalist*, even finding myself reading furtively in the middle of the night with a tiny torch. Anna Maria della Pietà is a fascinating heroine—ambitious, talented, and, at times, not entirely likeable, yet I couldn’t help but root for her. As an orphan raised in the strict confines of the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, her determination to become the best violinist and escape the grim fate of many poor women is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Harriet Constable vividly contrasts the grandeur of Venice with the destitution and desperation faced by its women, immersing us in a world where every choice comes with high stakes.
Anna Maria’s synesthetic talent vividly brings the music to life, and you can almost see the colours dancing through the notes. The novel delves into themes of perseverance, survival, and the dark underbelly of artistic genius in a patriarchal society, making it a compelling feminist counterpoint to the fame of her mercurial music master. This is a powerful, immersive story that I’m certain will remain one of my favourite reads of the year!
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A big thank you to @bloomsburypublishing @harriconstable @tandemcollectiveglobal
