FICTION

Ecstasy

Houghton Harcourt. Apr. 2018. 400p. ISBN 9780544800892. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780544800922. F
COPY ISBN
Sharratt (Illuminations; The Dark Lady's Mask) writes historical fiction focusing on strong women who have been overlooked by history. Her seventh novel tells the story of Alma Mahler, the much younger wife of composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, seeking to correct the popular view of Alma as a "voracious, man-eating, hysterically self-dramatizing seductress." The author succeeds in making her sympathetic, if rather exhausting. Alma wants to be a composer herself, not just a wife, mother, and helper, but because of her beauty she is seen by the many famous men in her circle as a muse, not an equal. Her relationship with the autocratic and difficult Mahler, who demanded she give up her music to focus on providing a protective shield around his genius, does not flow smoothly. The author has in-depth knowledge of classical music and turn-of-the-20th-century Vienna, but her highly romantic style, which urges on the melodramatic, is geared more toward romance readers than history lovers.
VERDICT Recommended for readers who like the peaks and valleys of nonstop drama and much flowery talk about art, awakenings, seduction, and heartbreak.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?