Antonietta

by John Hersey

Book Overview

A saga of a magnificent violin, Antonietta, named after a beautiful woman who was the inspiration of Antonio Stradivari's later years. As Hersey brings Mozart, Berlioz, and Stravinsky to life, he offers us a marvelous celebration of the changing character and eternal art and power of music. From the Trade Paperback edition.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679401946
• ISBN13: 9780679401940
• Release Date: April 1991
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book!

I found this book at a book sale. It was an older version and the pages were slightly discolored and it definently smelled like an old book (which I must admit, draws me in a bit) and I said "wow, a book about a violin! that's awesome!" So I bought it (it was only $1) because I thought I should try it. I ended up reading it for a school book project. It was amazing! I play the violin so I found the first section (when he was making the violin) quite interesting. It was nice to know how every thing goes together! I read the Mozart section in maybe an hour, he particularly interests me. I had also heard the Soldier's Tale by Stravinsky the summer before at a local concert. I also know the Island of Martha's Vineyard rather well, and it is featured in the last section of the book. The book was very cleverly put together. This violin went all over the place, which the author tells you about in the Intermezzos. All in all, I would highly recommend this book, Antonietta by John Hersey.

Intimate, Portraits, Romantic. Loved It

It is interesting, the volatility of the reviews on this book. I love music and also woodworking. I own a fully carved German contra-bass primarily as my portal to that world, of luthiers, composers and musicians. This book is magnificent within this context and i ravished in it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who can be seduced by such. The Red Violin is purportedly based upon this book, but if ever a screenplay was an abomination of its forefather, that was it. Without regard to Red Violin, this could be one of your favorite books. Highly recommended to those with similar loves !

Hersey is the ultimate reader's writer

John Hersey shines in Antonietta. He shows us he is both a creative genius and a skilled writer. Each section is poetic as he leads us through the life of a violin. It seems odd that the most romantic book I have ever read turns out to be a book about a violin. This violin is the epitomy of love and adoration. It is unique and sexual, and capable of inspiring a love so powerful that its fingers reach outstretched towards the souls of various generations. Hersey starts with the tale of a widowed man intent on making violins as best as he possibly can. The saga begins when he sees a widowed woman he must marry. He begins on a new violin, and carves a Cupid on it, which marks it in the coming years. When he hears that he has been refused her hand in marriage, he is angered and his hand slips, flawing the violin. Later, he beckons her, showing her the violin he has made from her inspiration although it is still unfinished. The violin is capable of a sound unlike any other, and in the years to come it changes hands and players, each with their own story, each with their own passion. This novel is worth reading, and tells a tale that will deepen one's love for love as well as deepen one's love for music. It appeals to any age, because the story is so universal. I truly recommend it. It brings with it the conciseness of Hersey's Hiroshima along with the undeniable eloquence of Mozart's pieces.

The Sexiest Book About a Violin Ever Written!

OK, so it's probably the only sexy book about a violin ever written. If anyone ever decides to write another one, reading this will convince them to not bother. This is an overlooked gem by an overlooked master. I think that John Hersey has long been the most under-appreciated American writer. This wonderful fable is a great introduction to his works. Ever spend a summer day at a beach house with a good Chardonnay and a book? If you haven't you should; and this is the prefect book for that day. The story is simple: in 1699 the 55 year old Stradivari is in a slump. His wife, a detestable woman whose children couldn't even tolerate her, has been dead for several months. The liberation should have inspired him, yet strangely he has been unable to produce a violin of value. Then he sees her. A young widow passes by, he instantly falls passionately in love with her. Inspired he creates his most remarkable violin. He asks the widow's family for her hand, they refuse, when he hears of the refusal his hand slips scarring the violin. One day Stradivari's son plays the violin. The music inspires every one in the town to have the most passionate sexual experience of their lives. I won't give away any more, you have to read the book. If the outline above isn't enough to get your attention...The story isn't even the best part of the book. I can't say enough about the beauty of Hersey's prose. He could have written an owners manual for a chisel and it would be a great read. The first section reads like poetry. Hersey then follows the violin through more owners until modern times. Each subsequent section is written in a different style, fitting its theme, Hersey masters them all.