Chee is a master of prose. Chee takes on a different style with each release and they are never a disappointment. This is a novel of great prose and atmosphere.

For fans of classical music, historical fiction, complicated female characters and for the infallible Alexander Chee, this novel is an obligatory read

I thought this book was too long and the writing style was a bit choppy.  Almost soap opera-y.  Which, given, the subject matter, but be appropriate.  I would try this author again, this was just not the best for me.

First of all, I struggled to finish this book. That's never a good statement to make, especially about a book of this size. I liked the main character, Lilliet, and the story seemed promising and twisted enough that I was entertained but near the end things just got to be too much and spiraled out if control. Characters were for the most part very surface level, which for me is a big no no.

Wonderful novel with terrific character and very strong sense of place  - great historical.