Skip to main content

Review: The Four Seasons, by Laurel Corona


The Four Seasons is set against the backdrop of early-18th century Venice. In it, two sisters are sent to the Ospedale della Pieta, a world-famous orphanage and musical academy. Chiaretta and Maddalena are nothing alike: one marries into one of the wealthiest families in Venice, while the other becomes a musical prodigy and muse for Antonio Vivaldi, the “Red Monk.”

It’s a good idea, but we’ve definitely seen all of this before: Barbara Quick’s novel, Vivaldi’s Virgins, is set in the exact same place with nearly the exact same people, and Rosalind Laker’s The Venetian Mask is set in the same place seventy-five years later, but with the same romantic themes as The Four Seasons. And Corona’s writing style isn’t as captivating as Laker’s is. Corona's descriptions are bautiful, if a little vague, and the city of Venice in the novel is a little static as opposed to the vibrant city that it is.

That said, however, I enjoyed the story. It’s derivative, yes, but highly addictive; despite all the book’s flaws, I couldn’t stop reading. The beginning of the novel is a little shaky and confusing (girls are left at the steps of the orphanage, then go out to the countryside for a reason that wasn’t made entirely clear, then go back to the Pieta later), but it picks up once you’ve read about fifty pages or so. The strongest parts of the book are the musical descriptions; it's clear that Corona is passionate about the subject.

Comments

Barbara Quick said…
Hi Katherine,

Wanted to note that VIVALDI'S VIRGINS was written by Barbara (not Amanda) Quick.

Many of the foundlings of the Pieta were sent out to the country to be nursed and fostered by families paid by the State to take care of them until they reached the age of 10--at which time they returned to continue their education.

I would certainly encourage readers interested in learning more to check out my web site:
http://www.BarbaraQuick.com

VIVALDI'S VIRGINS is now available in a paperback edition--convenient for book groups!

Cheers,
Barbara
Michele said…
Well you've managed to add two books to my wishlist with one post. Vivaldi's Virgins has been in the back of my mind for some time and now I'd like to take a peek at The Four Seasons, too. :)
Katherine said…
Thanks, Barbara, for pointing out the name thing!

Michelle: Also check out the Rosalind Laker, I thought it was pretty good.
Teddy Rose said…
Thanks for the wonderful review. I have this as well as Vivaldi's Virgins on my TBR.

We featured an interview with Barbara Quick last month on Historical Tapestry. It was very interesting.

Here's the link:

http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com/2008/10/interview-with-barbara-quick.html

Popular posts from this blog

Another giveaway

This time, the publicist at WW Norton sent me two copies of The Glass of Time , by Michael Cox--so I'm giving away the second copy. Cox is the author of The Meaning of Night, and this book is the follow-up to that. Leave a comment here to enter to win it! The deadline is next Sunday, 10/5/08.

A giveaway winner, and another giveaway

The winner of the Girl in a Blue Dress contest is... Anna, of Diary of An Eccentric ! My new contest is for a copy of The Shape of Mercy , by Susan Meissner. According to Publisher's Weekly : Meissner's newest novel is potentially life-changing, the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges. Achingly romantic, the novel features the legacy of Mercy Hayworth—a young woman convicted during the Salem witch trials—whose words reach out from the past to forever transform the lives of two present-day women. These book lovers—Abigail Boyles, elderly, bitter and frail, and Lauren Lars Durough, wealthy, earnest and young—become unlikely friends, drawn together over the untimely death of Mercy, whose precious diary is all that remains of her too short life. And what a diary! Mercy's words not only beguile but help Abigail and Lars

Six Degrees of Barbara Pym's Novels

This year seems to be The Year of Barbara Pym; I know some of you out there are involved in some kind of a readalong in honor of the 100th year of her birth. I’ve read most of her canon, with only The Sweet Dove Died, Civil to Strangers, An Academic Question, and Crampton Hodnet left to go (sadly). Barbara Pym’s novels feature very similar casts of characters: spinsters, clergymen, retirees, clerks, and anthropologists, with which she had direct experience. So it stands to reason that there would be overlaps in characters between the novels. You can trace that though the publication history of her books and therefore see how Pym onionizes her stories and characters. She adds layers onto layers, adding more details as her books progress. Some Tame Gazelle (1950): Archdeacon Hoccleve makes his first appearance. Excellent Women (1952): Archdeacon Hoccleve gives a sermon that is almost incomprehensible to Mildred Lathbury; Everard Bone understands it, however, and laughs