Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing treatment of an interesting subject
Review: I have never been much of an Anne Rice fan, having to force my way through Interview with the Vampire. But, as an avid opera fan, I was immediately attracted to the subject matter of this Rice book: the castrati. Having been unable to find much about the castrati in my encyclopedias, I thought reading a novel about them might be quite interesting.
Ms. Rice does not disappoint in her treatment of this intriguing topic. I usually do not like calling any piece of writing a page-turner, but I must admit that I could not
put this book down. The characters immediately grabbed my attention and I was compelled to follow them to the end of their stories.
I am certain that Rice fans will like this book. But I would like to recommend it to anyone interested in opera, vocal singing, and the castrati.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes one think,the neatest,most interesting novel ever read
Review: Read twice, can read it many more times. Its that kind of book that one reads really quickly to find out what happens..then goes back to read it another time, to learn, experience and love the, and about the characters, the setting and time. Written extremely well. I must say, it is one of the best, if not the best, books I have ever read
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest pieces of Literature in the modern world
Review: The story that Anne rice has presented us with here is unusual. Unusual in the way that it is one of the best pieces of literature in the modern world. if anyone else were to try and compose a novel about this of this integrity, they wouldn't get their foot in the door. this has to be on of the most beautiful and lush novels on bookseller's shelves today. No other writer could lift a pen to Ms. Rice. She is truly one in a million
Rating:
Summary: Another great Anne Rice novel!
Review: Cry to Heaven is not necessarily what the average Anne Rice fan might expect. No vampires, no witches, only a great story line, beautiful setting, and amazing characters. The story, although slightly unusual, is beautifully written. The subject is not what a reader might expect from the average novel, but what Anne Rice story is average? I loved this book, and (excuse the cliche) I couldn't put it down. If you like this book, I'd also recommend Feast of All Saints, also by Anne Rice
Rating:
Summary: DISGUSTINGLY DELIGHTFUL
Review: THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN IS SIMPLY SUPERB. A TRIUMPH FOR MRS. RIC
Rating:
Summary: "Popular" but profound
Review: Whatever else may be the value of this novel, it dispels the notion that whatever is popular literature is inferior literature. Rice deftly immerses her readers in the culture, arts and history of the era of the Italian castrati. This novel "works" on a number of levels--for escapist entertainment, for cultural enlightenment, and for profound philosophical exploration of the nature of evil and the role of sexuality in being "human." By casting a eunich as the protagonist, Rice blurs the line between the sexes and explores the psychology of sexuality from a modern perspective. "Not to love what is beautiful and incomprehensible would be vanity, not virtue," the Cardinal professes after Tonio's grand performance. Rice suggests that sexuality is a form of salvation for humans; it is the ultimate act in which we create, foster and treasure intimacy with other human beings. This is a thought provoking premise, and the novel is a brilliant vehicle for its consideration
Rating:
Summary: Rice lures you back to 1715, where castrati sing to heaven.
Review: In this atypical topic for Anne Rice she enthralls the reader and lures you in through beautiful scenes and shocking intrigues. Set in 18th century Italy she unveils a truely foreign world where boys castrated at a young age to preserve their beautiful soprano voices are both adored
and shunned. Two men in love with music are at the center of this beautifully crafted novel. Tonio, from a noble Venetian family sneaks out at night to sing in the streets
night after night. His future should be marriage and family but a jealous rival has him kidnapped and castrated.
Guido, a peasant sold into the world of song at six, sails to
the top of the singers, and performs at the opera in Rome.
At age 18 he tragically looses his voice, tormented by the loss
plunges himself into composition and searches for another voice.
He finds Tonio and becomes his teacher.
This story rises and falls like the notes of a glorious song
from beauty to trechary. An unforgettable novel, hauntingly
beautiful, and painfully poignant.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely gorgeous
Review: I admit that because of my obsession with vampires, I never thought I would like this book. But one day I decided to give it a chance, and man, I'm sure glad I did because i was rewarded with one of the best damned stories i've ever read. Now, I'm not an opera fan, and i usually can't stand anything historic; I'm a modern girl. But this beautiful set novel, set in 18th century Italy, about the castrati singers, is a harrowing, erotic, and ulimately sad tale of these misunderstood men, "worshipped as gods, yet shunned as half-men" PLEASE READ THIS BOOK IT RULES! Opium Poppy Field
Rating:
Summary: A (not) very helpful review... :P
Review: I finished this book very quickly, as I could not seem to put it down. I have nothing much else to add as others have already said it. A book worth reading, but not if you can't handle reading about men loving men. There are those out there who would trash this book simply because of that and I find that sad.
Rating:
Summary: A predictable yet engrossing read
Review: Anne Rice fans will find much that is familiar in "Cry to Heaven", although unlike her other popular novels, there is no element of the supernatural present here. This is a book that will transport the reader back to 18th century Italy, into a world of politics, intrigue, corruption, and most of all, music. Rice's writing is as full and rich as always, with detailed settings and fully realized characters. The novel is well-researched, I learned much about the time period that I didn't know before.The flaw? I found most of the major plot twists to be extremely predictable. I won't give anything away, but every time something shocking happened, I had already guessed what was to come at least a chapter before. Maybe I've just read too many books. Regardless, I would still recommend this book to any Anne Rice fan.
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