Author:Ian McEwan
Charles Frieth, pre-eminent composer, conductor and prodigious womaniser, is preparing for a performance of one of his early works, and the world premiere of Demonic Aubade. Obstinate and myopic, he is oblivious to the growing turmoil around him; his wife's poor health and sadness; the exhausted efforts of his secretary, and the destructive passion of his housekeeper, Maria.
As the first performance draws near, the maestro is suddenly awoken to the chaos, and as Charles struggles to regain control of his life, a terrible tragedy begins to unfold.
The characters are etched with impressive economy by McEwan
—— The Evening StandardA rollicking good read
—— UncutA masterly biography, both broad and deep
—— Peter Conrad , ObserverOne of the finest music biographies of our age
—— Damian Thompson , Daily TelegraphWhether taken on its own or with the first volume, this is a magnificent work of biography... A stunning achievement
—— Simon Heffer , Literary ReviewWalsh's scrupulousness (also evident in this volume's predecessor) in contextualising and considering quotes, hearsays and other evidence reveals a more complete, complex picture... But what emerges most powerfully is a penetrating vision of a creative mind, of how it made its decisions and adopted its stances, of how, often, it didn't quite understand itself
—— Stephen Pettitt , Sunday TimesWalsh's eloquence, clarity and grasp of the composer's cultural milieu mean that this book is always gripping
—— TelegraphFunny, perceptive, thought-provoking. Armitage has a poet's eye for the poignant detail and the bigger theme
—— ScotsmanEvocative and engaging
—— Tim Willis , Sunday Telegraph
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