As a historian, I love fantasy tales that accurately reflect the culture and politics of the worlds they occur in or are inspired by. Using the lives of Mozart and his sister Nannerl, Marie Lu has crafted a lush historical-fantasy. In just the first 50 pages, readers are transported to the Mozart siblings' 18th-century Salzburg and the magical world they can enter through unknown magic.
Though Mozart will be the main draw, "The Kingdom of Back" is Nannerl's story. I love that Lu is taking a marginalized historical figure, relegated to footnotes in a man's story because she is a woman, and gives her the stage she so craves.
The story begins with Nannerl as a precocious 8-year-old who craves being remembered: by history and especially by her father. Lu's descriptions of the music and Nannerl's world are stunning. The prose draws you in and Salzburg feels just as magical as the Kingdom of Back.
Nannerl and Wolfgang are both compelling characters and their love for each other, as well as the sibling rivalry that is being stoked, makes the story complex and relatable. The way Lu embeds gender relations and politics in 18th century Austria into the story and seamless and passes this historian's test!
In term of design, "The Kingdom of Back" cover is gorgeous. I also love the multiple maps that are featured in the book. It is so helpful to have both the magical kingdom's and the record of the Mozart family's travels. The font is equally beautiful and legible. Lastly, I love the small illustration of edelweiss that serve as section breaks in the chapter. "The Kingdom of Back" wasn't on my list of most anticipated reads for 2020 but after reading this excerpt, it's moving to the top of my list!
Though Mozart will be the main draw, "The Kingdom of Back" is Nannerl's story. I love that Lu is taking a marginalized historical figure, relegated to footnotes in a man's story because she is a woman, and gives her the stage she so craves.
The story begins with Nannerl as a precocious 8-year-old who craves being remembered: by history and especially by her father. Lu's descriptions of the music and Nannerl's world are stunning. The prose draws you in and Salzburg feels just as magical as the Kingdom of Back.
Nannerl and Wolfgang are both compelling characters and their love for each other, as well as the sibling rivalry that is being stoked, makes the story complex and relatable. The way Lu embeds gender relations and politics in 18th century Austria into the story and seamless and passes this historian's test!
In term of design, "The Kingdom of Back" cover is gorgeous. I also love the multiple maps that are featured in the book. It is so helpful to have both the magical kingdom's and the record of the Mozart family's travels. The font is equally beautiful and legible. Lastly, I love the small illustration of edelweiss that serve as section breaks in the chapter. "The Kingdom of Back" wasn't on my list of most anticipated reads for 2020 but after reading this excerpt, it's moving to the top of my list!