Customer Reviews

12 reviews

• C Armour

  Thoroughly good read

• Jean-Gabriel

  This is a fascinating insight into Handel's life and the workings of his inner mind, based on extensive historical and biographical research. The cast of characters is very well written with humour and authenticity. Highly recommended to all those who love a good story! A highly recommended read!

• Jean-Gabriel Tarassenko

  This is a fascinating insight into Handel's life and the workings of his inner mind, based on extensive historical and biographical research. The cast of characters are very well written with humour and authenticity. Highly recommended to all those who love a good story!

• Alice Hicks

  This is a rollicking good read. The author clearly knows her subject very well and the book is both entertaining and informative. Handel is skilfully brought to life in an imaginative, yet totally believable, way. From the smell of horse manure coming through the open window when Handel was in London, to the kind of foodstuffs he ate, all add to the authenticity of the narrative and bear witness to the extensive research which lies behind this little masterpiece.
  

• Garrisonhalibut

  This book is a fantastic achievement; turning the life and mind of a composer from 300 years ago into a readable biographical novel for a modern audience.
  I learned a lot more about Handel the man than I would ever have learned from Wikipedia, and the author manages NOT to make it a turgid exposition of facts.
  I will be listening to more of Handel’s music to see if my new knowledge enhances my enjoyment).

• Pam D.

  This is a well researched and fascinating exploration of the life of Handel and his circle including Alexander Pope and William Hogarth. Handel takes the waters at Bath and witnesses the ecstatic audience reactions to his works. The audience came out of ‘Messiah’ counting the weeks until they could hear it again and the crush was so great that gentlemen were asked not to carry their swords and ladies were asked not to wear hoops. A very entertaining and readable account.

• H. Golding

  This is an unusual and remarkable novel in which Helen Dymond richly evokes the period of the mid-eighteenth century, reimagining the personality of Handel, his life and works and some of the people who worked with him and performed his music.
  Helen Dymond combines a detailed knowledge of Handel's music, his methods of composing and his spiritual conviction which is deeply Christian but which is profoundly challenged by an encounter that takes place when Handel is recuperating after a coaching accident.
  A hugely enjoyable and informative read.

• SPJ

  I much enjoyed this book, which I was given as a present. At no point did I wonder whether it would be worth reading to the end. Pacy and easily digestible. An evocative impression of what Handel's life was (or might have been) like. Also, for a pedant like me, the editing and layout were excellent.

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