Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent chronicle, beautifully written!
Review: "And Guido perceived that when the woman is taken out of an entire realm of life that must need to imitate the world itself, then some substitute for that woman is inevitable. Something must rise to take the place of what is feminine. Something must rise to be feminine. And the castrati were not mere singers, players, anomalies; they had become woman herself." -Anne Rice Set in Venice, Naples, Rome, and Florence during the time of Vivaldi, this exquisitely written work is the story of Marc Antonio Treschi, a castrato. A Venetian nobleman, Tonio was blessed with many things -- a beautiful mother, a fine family, a gentlemanly upbringing, and not least of all, a beautiful singing voice. Tonio led a very sheltered early life, and as he begins the journey to manhood, he starts to discover some dark secrets of the House of Treschi. A word to the wise: This author does not shy away from taboo subjects. Music was the passion and preoccupation of many people in Europe during this time. In the name of producing great music, mutilations were routinely done during these times to little boys from poor families -- boys with voices which showed promise. How Tonio came to his experience with the knife will best be discovered by reading this wonderful book, and spoiling the experience by detailing the plot is something which will not be done in this review. This book is a compelling adventure, and it is written by a masterful writer. Anne Rice excels in transporting her reader to magical times & places, and introducing them to interesting people, who then spring to life. She takes her readers on a mystical journey, always choosing the perfect word. Simply, magically, elegantly, she weaves a tapestry of wonder, and through it all, holds one spellbound. She can describe a walk through a grand old square in Italy, and everything she has outlined can be envisioned, right down to the smells and sounds. Rice's characters are larger than life, they are compelling, and they are detailed down to their fingernails and the texture of their hair. Their thoughts are perfectly articulated, and they are set forth in extremely beautiful prose. If one contemplates a "Cry to Heaven," one could think of many things that could conjure up such a cry: Religion, Remorse, Regret, Angst, Guilt, Pain, Sorrow, Love, Rapture, Longing, Esctacy, and of course, Great Music! All of these are found in this work. Highly, Highly Recommended!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Historically Interesting & Occasionally Moving
Review: This was a well-written story about the lives of the castrati in 18th century Italy, a dazzlingly clever story of revenge, it's patient execution and corruption. The non-consensual sex scenes between old men and young boys popped up a bit more frequently than historical accuracy would require, and some of the peripheral characters entered and faded without reason, but overall this was a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book and let yourself live and breath the music.
Review: In the wonderful world of Marc Antiono Trechi it's all balls and glamor untill he makes a startling dicorvery that will change his life forever. Some things are made to be left alone. But after and unexpected tragety he is forced to leave his easy life behind and become a man. When his father(brother) Carlo pulls a horrable plan on Tonio he is determined to keep Tonio away from his life. Tonio will not let that happen... This book compleatly spellbinded me and I would be terrably annoyed and shocked if someone told me that they did not enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect
Review: I have read almost all of her books and kept putting this one off. That was a mistake. This book shows that Anne Rice can stay away from the supernatural and still write a great novel. Before this I thought The Mummy or Interview was her best. Now I'm not sure. This will go down as a classic.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book
Review: I first bought this book a few years ago and I tried to read it then, but I just couldn't. I was going through a dark time in my life and the book just brought me down further. I picked it up again last year, and I LOVED it! It was especially vivid, since I've visited Venice and I could really see the images that Anne "paints" in this book. It is truly a wonderful book. It does get dark toward the middle, but there is a wonderful light at the end of that tunnel. Some of the images in this book will be with me forever. One of Anne Rice's best!
Rating:
Summary: An elegantly beautiful and emotional book.
Review: I have just finished reading Cry To Heaven and I love it! This is my favorite book! As soon as I read the first page I was immediately enthralled and couldn't put it down. The research that was done for this was absolutely amazing. Anne Rice was so detailed and descriptive I truly felt as if I was really there. I felt such a connection with the main character, I felt all the emotions he felt while reading the book. There were parts in the book that made me weep uncontrolably, and other times I was so tense with anticipation it felt as if I had stuck my finger in an electirc socket. I cannot even begin to describe the beauty of this book. I read this book as if in a trance and could not think of anything else. Even now as I write this I sigh and smile with fondness. There are images that have been imprinted in my mind that will last me a lifetime. I encourage anyone who wants to feel any sense of passion from a story, to get this book and treasure it always as I certainly will.
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Summary: Its Anne We Love, Not the Vampires, Ghosts and Witches
Review: Although this novel doesnt contain vain vampires, glamorous ghosts or well-favored witches, It is definitely filled with ANNE RICEness. The Title is more than fitting. We are taken on such an emotional trip, like that of her first novel, filled with that secret loud yearning anyone came relate to. She paints Italy with her magical brush , and overwhelms our mortal ears with the heavenly voices of her characters. The plot is divine , full of treachery, secrets, tragedy, mortal lust, and revenge. The whole journey is a long violin concerto.
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Summary: Sad, Beautiful, Sensuous and Shocking
Review: Cry to Heaven has to be my favorite novel since the day I finished reading its first chapter. Rice fulfilled all of my outlandish fantasies my meager imagination couldn't comply. When you read this saga you just move through time with it, and you never know where she's going to take you next. Events in this novel are so suspenseful, you know it is going to happen but you strictly deny it. At a point through this novel, I threw the book on the floor and chanted "oh my God" over and over again in pure shock. Then I quickly picked it up again read some more and threw it back on the floor. I read this book over and over again and I still haven't gotten tired of it. Its not for everybody, but if you want to read something by someone who's not afraid to go well beyond the norm, then Ann Rice is for you.
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Summary: Completely Beautiful!
Review: "Cry To Heaven" is one of the most dynamic books I have read! Vivid in description, enigmatic and magical, reading it is like watching some dream play out before you! This book is totally brilliant! In "Cry To Heaven," Anne Rice captures that very same lush quality that makes "Interview With The Vampire" a masterpiece. And yet, this book is unlike anything else she has ever done... it is truly unique and thoroughly recommended! If only all books could be this good... I devoured it, and after 500 pages I was not disappointed by its conclusion - aaaahhh, such sweet satisfaction! If you are an Anne Rice fan but have yet to stray, like me, from her Vampires and Ghosts and Taltoses, take the plunge and pick up "Cry To Heaven!" You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutley riviting from the first paragraph!
Review: This is one of my favorite Anne Rice novels. She has the facinating ability to paint such vivid pictures of her stories, that you actually see the characters and the settings. Her descriptions of the various settings in Italy whisked me away to that very time and place. Who knew Eunachs had such passionate lives!
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