The author, Harriet Constable worked in tv before the pandemic but wrote this, her first novel during the lockdowns and is now tipped to great things as a writer.

She comes from a musical family and one day, in some leisure reading, stumbled across information about the life of the 18th century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.

The sparse details told that he worked with an orphanage in Venice. The young girls were taught music to such a high level that they performed Vivaldi's work, and also helped with his compositions. One of these girls was particularly talented and it was her story that Harriet felt compelled to tell.  

This novel is the result of Harriet's research and fascination with the life of Anna Maria, Vivaldi's star pupil. 

This girl arrived at the orphanage with no name, no history, no family but she had a talent which rose to such an extent that she threatened to eclipse that of her mentor and teacher. She did become a celebrity, a high-earning performer, but she had been largely forgotten, until now. 

It's an extraordinary novel, beautifully written, set in Venice, telling the story of hardship and tragedy, ambition and talent, determination and exploitation. I loved it and I hope you'll take a look.