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The Instrumentalist

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About this listen

 Bloomsbury presents The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable, read by the Emmy nominated actor and Games of Thrones star Emilia Clarke.

Nominated for Best Performance: Narrator at The Speakies (The British Audio Awards).

The Times top ten bestseller

‘As tightly tuned as a thriller’ Telegraph
‘A marvel’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave
‘Compelling, vividly described magic’ Observer
‘Historical fiction as it should be written’ Mail on Sunday
‘Remarkable’ New York Times

Anna Maria may have no name, no fortune, no family. But she has her ambition, and her talent.

Her best hope lies in her teacher, Antonio Vivaldi. Soon she is his star pupil.

But as Anna Maria’s star rises, not everyone is happy. Because Anna Maria’s shining light threatens to eclipse that of her mentor…

She will leave her mark, whatever it takes. Her story will be heard.

‘A compassionate coming-of-age tale … Constable understands the power music has to sustain us’ Observer
‘Had me spellbound from start to finish’ Emma Stonex
‘Constable infuses historical fact with richly wrought fictional details, to investigate admiration and resentment, ego and legacy’ i paper
‘A whirlwind of all-consuming, dizzying ambition … Spectacularly imagined’ Mail on Sunday
‘Vibrates with colour and passion … I was completely swept up’ Elodie Harper
‘An immersive, impassioned tale full of colour and sound’ Guardian©2024 Harriet Constable (P)2024 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Historical Fiction Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
All stars
Most relevant
The main character, Anna-Maria, is an intense person. Arrogant in her naivety, striving for perfection.
The story, and stories, around her bring a sense of the time it is set, where women were nothing, and girls more so. And yet, men are nothing without them... and yet, so unaware of it.
It is filled with sadness, joyfulness, sorrow, and pride.

Well written and lovely narration.

Broken, damaged, beautiful

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Brilliant storytelling which touched, enraged and engaged me. I would have LOVED there to be music recordings interspersed in the story❤️

Loved

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A beautifully written tale steeped in history, so moving, incredibly compelling… I could not stop listening!

A riveting story!

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Fantastic from start to finish. A story about power and discovery with history woven into it. Narrator added depth to the story with her rich voice. Couldn't stop reading this book!

Captivating story

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Nothing, the book was wonderful and very informative. The violin is a beautiful instrument, the sound of purity.

Historic musical beauty.

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