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Music and Silence
- Narrated by: Jenny Agutter
- Length: 18 hrs and 27 mins
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Summary
Winner of the Costa First Novel Award, 2008.
A Radio 4 Book Club Selection.
In the year 1629, a young English lutenist named Peter Claire arrives at the Danish Court to join King Christian IV's Royal Orchestra. From the moment when he realizes that the musicians perform in a freezing cellar underneath the royal apartments, Peter Clair understands that he's come to a place where the opposing states of light and dark, good and evil, are waging war to the death.
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What listeners say about Music and Silence
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Overall
- Carol
- 10-08-12
A great listen
I normally avoid "historical" novels, and only decided to download this having read "The Colour" and "Sacred Country". I was so impressed with Rose Tremain's writing that I gave this a go. And I am glad I did.
A really interesting story .. on the surface about events during two years surrounding the breakdown of the marriages of King Christian, and associated subplots (which are really the main plots). But like Rose Tremain's other novels: lots of insights into the nature of what makes life interesting and worth living. How to create meaning, happiness... ...very existential stuff , and some great quotes . Beautiful writing. Loved both the "goodies" and the "baddies".
Jenny Agutter is masterful in her rendition of this book.. Beautifully read and a joy to listen to. She captures the essence of the characters really well, from the prickly and nasty Kirsten to the daydreaming Marcus.
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33 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Stephen
- 24-12-09
Held by the reader
This is the sort of book I admire but don't enjoy and I know had I read it on the printed page I would have given up on it. Although everything links together, the plot is built up on multiple narrators, some of whom I found more interesting than others. Jenny Agutter's wonderful reading of it lulled me through the more stolid bits and carried me firmly through the engrossing parts. It is no doubt a beautifully written and thought -provoking book. However it is bleak and at the time this didn't suit my mood, so for me to say I was glad that I listened to the whole book is praise. This is a very biased review, but I would say if you are really struggling after an hour or so, you are going to have an uphill battle.
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25 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Ecovisitor
- 19-12-12
Sublime Book
I am bereft having finished listening to this wonderful book. Jenny Agutter's narration transported me to ancient Denmark with its cast of robust and sympathetic characters, I loved them all even the awful ones! It made me yearn to learn more- one of the best books ever!
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14 people found this helpful
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- Ms
- 09-06-16
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this book. It is compulsive, fascinating and beautifully narrated, what bliss and sad for it to end. What can I listen to now that this wonderful story is over.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Welsh Mafia
- 28-06-08
Kirsten is Christina
The notion of the true story of King Christian IV of Denmark set in the year of 1630 as 'racy' seems a bit of a stretch, but Rose Tremain through the character of Kirsten or Christina Munk pulls it off. Lots of plots and sub plots, great storytelling from a writer who was new to me - really enjoyable. Jenny Agutter's performance is great as well, she has the perfect voice for this one - a pleasure in itself.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 15-11-20
Different and excellent
Took time to settle in but as the narrator settled in, the book became alive and flowing. Amazing story telling with many contemplative ideas. Would recommend and the narration excellent.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Mr G A Wicks
- 11-03-15
It doesn't miss a beat!
Like all of her stories, life and emotion in all its diversity, immerse me in the time, the people and the events.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Hilary Skarratt
- 18-12-20
Beautiful story, beautifully written & narrated
I enjoyed every minute of this. Jenny Agutter is the perfect narrator, her voice blending perfectly with this slightly mystical tale. At the same time I learned a lot about Denmark in the 1600s. Will definitely be searching out some more Rose Tremain audibles
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4 people found this helpful
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- Krypton
- 16-06-21
Eighteen hours too long
Well I had high hopes for this but oh dear what a marathon. You grasp that the different strands will come together at some point but after seven hours I couldn’t hang on and wasn’t really interested in finding out what happened. The narration is weird too in that there are pregnant pauses all the time. Just when you think it is faulty she starts the narration again, but it makeS the whole thing disjointed.
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2 people found this helpful
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- FW101
- 12-10-20
Music and Silence
Every character is written with overwhelming compassion... so that the book feels like a celebration of the best and worst of human nature. a lovely and compelling book beautifully read.
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2 people found this helpful