Rating: 
Summary: Complex and Interesting, but Not Without Faults
Review: I love most of Rose Tremain's novels, in particular, RESTORATION and THE WAY I FOUND HER, but for me, MUSIC AND SILENCE is one of Tremain's lesser efforts, though at first glance, one would think it would turn out to be one of her best.MUSIC AND SILENCE is certainly an ambitious and intricately structured work. It centers around the Court of King Christian IV of Denmark and the protagonist is King Christian's English lutenist, the blond, angelic, and sadly, wimpy, Peter Claire. Part of my problem with MUSIC AND SILENCE concerned Peter Claire. He is simply too dull, boring and colorless to make him worthy of any emotional investment. Peter Claire isn't the only character in MUSIC AND SILENCE by far. The book abounds with characters, some of them well drawn and others, like Peter, not so well drawn. One of the not so well drawn characters is King Christian, himself, although he is rather comical. His treasuries are depleted, his wife, the brazen (and slightly mad), Kirsten Munk has been exiled because of a love affair (now gone wrong) and Christian, despite exiling his wife, is trying very hard to get his wealthy mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, to lend him the money he needs to mine silver in Norway. And, the cast continues. One of Queen Kirsten's maids is the beautiful Emilia Tilsen, a woman Peter Claire falls hopelessly...and hopefully...in love with. Peter and Emilia are a pretty pair and you know if their romance works out, they will have lots of beautiful children and live happily ever after, but they are so thinly drawn and weak, I just didn't care what happened to them. Tremain even brings Emilia's widowed father into play along with Emilia's demented stepmother. This subplot is more than slightly interesting, but it's so far removed from the Court of King Christian and Peter Claire that I had a difficult time caring about it as well. Another interesting, almost fascinating, subplot revolves around Peter Claire's former employer, the gorgeous Countess O'Fingal (she was originally from Italy) and her Irish husband who's driven insane by, of all things, a melody. Tremain manages to tie the O'Fingals to the main plot line, but, once again, they are so far removed from Court life, that it was difficult to care about them (though Countess O'Fingal is a very strong character). By far, the strongest presence in the book belongs to Kirsten Munk, yet Tremain keeps her on the periphery. I think this was the book's biggest mistake. Kirsten demands attention, in more ways than one, and Tremain simply doesn't give her her due. As interesting as Countess O'Fingal and the Tilsen family are, in order for MUSIC AND SILENCE to really work, we needed to see more of Kirsten and more of Court life and less of the periphery. And Peter Claire, the one character who ties everyone to everyone else, definitely needed to be far, far stronger and much more interesting. One definitely gets the feeling that several of these characters are wasted in this book and are demanding a book of their own, e.g., Countess O'Fingal and Emilia Tilsen's wicked stepmother. The prose in MUSIC AND SILENCE is, of course, first rate. This is Rose Tremain writing and I wouldn't expect her to make a misstep as far as the prose is concerned. And, her transitions from one character's story to the next are seamless. They just aren't as complex and compelling as they needed to be. As far as historical fiction goes, I think MUSIC AND SILENCE only deserves three stars. I awarded it four, however, simply because of the fact that Tremain has written a very complicated book here, with a complex, braided plot and she's kept everything, and everyone, straight...not an easy task even for a writer as good and as experienced as is Rose Tremain. Readers who love historical fiction will probably love MUSIC AND SILENCE despite its faults and those who love Tremain's writing, like I do, might give her more leeway than she probably deserves with this book. Although I found some of the characters far too simplistic and I felt the book definitely needed more emphasis on life at the Court of King Christian IV, I still enjoyed reading it and I would recommend it to others...with a few caveats.
Rating: 
Summary: I;m hard to please and this book did it.
Review: I loved reading this book. It is thoughtful,sexy and divine all at once. I found myself underlining bits of insightful wisdom and wishing the story and characters could go on forever.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, engaging, and creative
Review: I would never read a novel in "historical romance" genre, which is what I assumed _Music and Silence_ was when I first saw it in paperback while living in the UK last summer. One day I commented to a friend (an Oxford postgraduate student in early modern British and European history) that I hadn't read a good historical novel in a while. As a student of early modern English history, I have often been disappointed in an author's research concerning and story development within such a rich and vibrant context. My friend recommended _Music and Silence_ as an antidote to my ennui. I bought the book the next day and didn't want to put it down for the following four. I would have read it faster but I didn't want the book to end! Having bought it in Britain, I read a different edition from that which most Americans will see; for that I make no apologies. I must say that "The best thing from Denmark since 'Hamlet'" was NOT emblazoned on my copy and I don't see the wisdom behind that marketing tactic. The image--a portrait of King Christian right-side-up and, below it, an upside-down portrait of the Queen--is not only visually appealing, but its significance deepens as the story unfolds. Why the American edition has a different cover mystifies me. Anyway, since it's been a while since I read the book and I (in a moment of silliness) lent my copy to someone who never returned it, I can't comment in great detail on the strengths and weaknesses of the book (others before me have provided many helpful remarks to that end). To speak of impressions rather than observations for a moment: in response to negative comments about the book's "believability," I would point out that appreciating historical fiction demands that one suspend disbelief in the way one might if seeing a play. Can one "believe" an actor is dying of hypothermia if the room is a comfortable 70 F? Only if one enters into the world the actor creates is such "belief" possible. The point of fiction, as I have understood it, is not to create "believable" characters so much as to show, in narrative, universal aspects of human experience, even in particular or outlandish situations. Books that could just as easily be features on the five o'clock news do not entertain, inspire, or endure. _Music and Silence_, however, does the first two with ease; may it also accomplish the third.
Rating: 
Summary: Virtually Unreadable
Review: I'm always perplexed when I read a stream of glowing reviews and then wonder if I've somehow picked up the wrong book when I detest something so much I can't even finish it. I'm especially disappointed in Music and Silence since I enjoyed Restoration. What's wrong with this book? Well, it breaks my two most important rules 1) Do you believe in the characters in this novel? 2) Do you care what happens to them? (Note that you don't have to like a character to care what happens to him or her). Well, aside from the King himself I didn't believe in any of the characters, particularly the King's Consort and her "Moments". I felt Ms. Tremain's flashbacks, use of multiple "accounts", and shoehorning of characters that didn't even belong in the novel an example of willfull cleverness that the Whitbread too often rewards. Her style is often ridiculously overblown and strains for the antique. She's used up a great deal of my goodwill with this novel, and I'll be more wary picking up her next novel, or indeed the next Whitbread award winner.
Rating: 
Summary: Shoddy novel!
Review: In this novel Rose Tremain describes how King Christian, of Denmark, was obsessed with perfectionism, nothing he would hate more than a "shoddy" piece of work! Unfortunately, this is most probably how he would classify this novel. The front cover states "The best thing from Denmark since Hamlet!" A Danish or Shakespeare might obviously be offended with this statement. The setting is Denmark, late 17th century, under the ruling of King Christian. The King has failed to his own expectations of reaching perfection, has brought the country to financial disaster after the defeat on religious wars and overspending on megalomaniac buildings. At a personal level he has been betrayed by his much loved Queen, has lost power over the nobility, is sick and getting old. For Christian, music is the only artistic manifestation that will touch upon his emotions and help him reach a psychological balance and peace of mind. "Music and Silence" is just another novel of love, romance, lust, betrayals, intrigues, there is a bit of everything and not much of anything. The author attempts to give it a philosophical tone when touching the matter of the gap between reality and imagination (the dialogues between the King and the lutanist are the few interesting ones), but it turns out to be a superficial scratch that gets lost in a vicious plot and overcrowded stage. The occasional reviews written on this book fail to agree as to who is the main character, quite understandably considering the broad display of characters, none of them strong enough to claim "I am the main character!" Some of the interlocking narratives fail to work out well, and the final unlacing is quite naive. Considering how little the author has elaborated on the historical background of this novel, "Music and Silence" is not a well-structured historical novel but just a novel with some historical touches to it.
Rating:
Summary: Royal Danes - back again!
Review: It seems as if Danish royalty has some allure all of its own and I'm thinking this is due to good old Shakespeare. This book is a wonderfully exciting account of life at court in the 17th century. The main characters are all well-rounded and, despite their flaws, likeable.
Rating:
Summary: marvelous characters; interesting times
Review: Music & Silence brought to life the most memorable characters. King Christian IV of Denmark is an absolute ruler who commands his orchestra to play from the cellar, yet he is almost a slave to his Consort, Kirsten, who has to be one of the most selfish, petty, vulgar, yet humorous characters I have ever met in fiction. And one who I actually felt pity for at the end. Peter Claire, the talented and decent lutest for the King, holds the story together yet is not the focus. Emilia, Kristen's "general lady" truly has a good heart. Her stepmother, Magadelena, a big, baudy peasant woman has a sexual appetite that includes her stepsons. George Middleton, Peter's future brother-in-law is an overweight successful gentleman who is genuinely in love with Charlotte, a young naïve innocent who is lives a charmed life surrounded by people who love her. Sophie, the Dowager Queen, and Ellen Marsvin, Kirsten's mother, are survivors saved by cynicism. No one is perfect, no one is totally evil (well maybe Kirsten), no one totally wins and no one totally loses. The short chapters told from different viewpoints give a quality of different instruments playing in the orchestra, some are direct and bold while others merely provide the background. I particularly looked forward to reading Kristen's version "From her private papers." Besides great characters, Tremain does an excellent job of painting the cold and dampness of Denmark. Although a different time and place, a different writing style, and different characters, if you enjoyed "Crimson Petal and White" you will certainly enjoy "Music and Silence" - even more so.
Rating:
Summary: marvelous characters; interesting times
Review: Music & Silence brought to life the most memorable characters. King Christian IV of Denmark is an absolute ruler who commands his orchestra to play from the cellar, yet he is almost a slave to his Consort, Kirsten, who has to be one of the most selfish, petty, vulgar, yet humorous characters I have ever met in fiction. And one who I actually felt pity for at the end. Peter Claire, the talented and decent lutest for the King, holds the story together yet is not the focus. Emilia, Kristen's "general lady" truly has a good heart. Her stepmother, Magadelena, a big, baudy peasant woman has a sexual appetite that includes her stepsons. George Middleton, Peter's future brother-in-law is an overweight successful gentleman who is genuinely in love with Charlotte, a young naïve innocent who is lives a charmed life surrounded by people who love her. Sophie, the Dowager Queen, and Ellen Marsvin, Kirsten's mother, are survivors saved by cynicism. No one is perfect, no one is totally evil (well maybe Kirsten), no one totally wins and no one totally loses. The short chapters told from different viewpoints give a quality of different instruments playing in the orchestra, some are direct and bold while others merely provide the background. I particularly looked forward to reading Kristen's version "From her private papers." Besides great characters, Tremain does an excellent job of painting the cold and dampness of Denmark. Although a different time and place, a different writing style, and different characters, if you enjoyed "Crimson Petal and White" you will certainly enjoy "Music and Silence" - even more so.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly engaging historical novel
Review: Music & Silence is an epic historical novel that manages to be both complex and accessible. Set in 17th Century Denmark, it focuses on the surprising influence of music on King Christian and the people who surround him. Peter Claire, a lutenist of striking appearance, arrives in Denmark to take his place with the royal orchestra. He has second thoughts about his fate when he learns that the musicians must play in a damp cellar in order that the king and his guests may hear the music ascend, as if by magic, through specially designed ducts. This reveals the extent to which all who live in such times must submit to the whims of royalty, even when the sovereign is a basically just man. Christian immediately sees Peter as a kind of angel, both because of his musical talent and his resemblance to a boyhood friend of the king's. Christian has many troubles --he is plagued by chronic stomach pains; his scheming wife, Kirsten, is having an affair that everyone knows about; finally, the royal treasury is nearly bankrupt and he is desperately seeking ways to raise money. Peter, meanwhile, falls in love at first sight with Emelia, Kirsten's favorite maid, and is torn between his feelings and his duty to the king. Kirsten is in many ways the book's most interesting character. Conniving and vindictive, she has just enough of a conscience to feel ashamed at her many transgressions. She also has a speculative (if morbid) mind and voices many of the novel's most perceptive passages. Rose Tremain has the ability to create an utterly convincing sense of time and place without burdening the reader with excessive or irrelevant historical factoids. Both the characters and plot are complex and well-rounded. As in real life, contrivance is balanced with the unexpected and random. In the audio version that I listened to, the reader, Jenny Agutter, does a fine job of narrating.
Rating:
Summary: At the center, a love story...
Review: Peter Claire travels in 1629 from England to Denmark to be part of King Christian IV's orchestra. Swirling around him are tons of stories, and at least 12+ different viewpoints are used in the book, each showing the differences of how people's age, sex and status makes them view events. King Christian and his wife Kirsten's marriage is on the rocks, the country of Denmark is almost broke, and Peter and his love Emilia are kept away from each other. We also see the stories of how King Christian rose to become a king, and how Peter's sister prepares for a marriage at home, while Emilia's family falls apart because of her wicked stepmother's horrible games. You will not be able to predict what will happen next, and you often wonder if Peter and Emilia will EVER be reunited with all lies and deceptions surrounding them. This is truly one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read.
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