In Mozart's Shadow: His Sister's Story

by Carolyn Meyer

Nannerl Mozart was a musical prodigy who seemed to have a brilliant future. But once her younger brother, Wolfgang, began composing symphonies at the age of five, her career and talents were utterly eclipsed. Here, at last, is Nannerl's heart-wrenching tale. It's the story of her undying passion for music; her relationship with her "miracle boy" brother; and her life as the "other Mozart," the one forgotten by history. The acclaimed Carolyn Meyer has written a powerful historical novel about a little-known but gifted musician who never stopped dreaming. Includes an author's note.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Music, Historical, Fiction, Teen, 18th Century

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2008

About the author

Carolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria Anna Mozart (1751-1829) nicknamed Nannerl was the older sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She wasn’t a prodigy child as her brother, but she was a very talented musician. She was noted as an excellent harpsichord player and fortepianist.

Her story carries a triple sadness. She didn’t get the same chance as her brother did, only because she was a girl. Later she was denied to marry a man she loved. And the heart-breaking drift between two siblings who once were inseparable.

This story starts with her at the age of 4, when she already displays musical talent. She is trained by her father Leopold Mozart, a violinist and composer. Four years later, at the same age of 4, her brother displays also a musical talent. Not only that, he is also recognized as a prodigy child.

When Nannerl is 10 and Wolfgang 6, they travel to the royal courts of Europe. First, they leave Salzburg (Austria) for Bavaria (Germany), and Vienna. Later they go on a grand tour throughout the Europe for 3,5 years, waiting for invitations to the royal courts and to be recognized.

Wolfgang is sent to Venice to continue his musical education and Nannerl is left behind for the first time. It’s a double disappointment for her as she also dreamed of improving her musical skills in Venice.

Nannerl has her first suitor. She likes him, but she doesn’t love him. Her first love is music. If she says yes, that will be the end of her career for which she still hopes.

Her father is not happy with Nannerl for not having a husband. He tells her to be realistic. She takes pupils to bring in some income.

When her friend’s father passes away that gives Nannerl something to think about. Who will support her, when her father is gone?

I struggled with rating this book. I was between 3 or 4 stars. This story is mostly concentrated on their tours, which at some point is monotonous as it seems as reading the same thing over and over again. At the same time, books written about Mozart usually start with him already in Vienna, only briefly mentioning his childhood. So it is interesting to get in depth a biographical story of them both. Therefore, at the end I rated the book at 4 stars.

Also, keep in mind that this book is for YA. The prose is fairly simple.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com

We all know about Wolfgang Mozart, the wonderfully talented musician, but what many of us don't know is that his older sister, Nannerl, was also incredibly talented. She was, in the beginning, thought of as her brother's equivalent. They played together in concerts, sometimes in front of royalty, making money for their family. But soon, she was overshadowed by her brother, but that didn't stop her from playing.

She wanted, more than anything, to go to a prestigious music school -- but her father would not allow it and forced her to stay in boring Salzburg with her mother. IN MOZART'S SHADOW follows Nannerl from the time she and her brother begin playing throughout her entire life.

To be honest, the book dragged a bit at the beginning, but after the first fifty pages or so I felt myself being dragged into the world of Nannerl and her family. Her story is both heartbreaking and easy to relate to. Though she lived in a completely different time and led a much different life, I could feel myself understanding her actions and cheering her on. The writing was great and the voice was true to the characters, who were all very realistic.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes reading historical fiction or who admires the Mozart family.

[Emily Farrar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading it. I think Nannerl was a really cool, selfless girl, and I feel sorry for her. Everything she ever wanted, for instance Armand, she didn't get. At least her father never told her she couldn't play, he praised her often, even if he never spent time on her career.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot believe I read the whole thing. It felt more like a recitation than a novel. I'd had high hopes for it, and I was interested in the subject matter (the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's older sister Nannerl), but...it was pretty boring. Flat. The most interesting part was when she was about 28 or 29 and fell in love with an older man whom her father refused to let her marry. Yes--her father was a wretchedly domineering man and totally wrong about, well, most everything. In fact, her father was an excellent example of how NOT to parent, although he at least did love her & her brother. The most interesting thing about the book was actually not IN the book but in my head as I pondered the effect--for good or for ill--bad parenting had on Mozart's legacy of music.

I spent most of this book praying that Nannerl would rebel against her father. Didn't happen, of course. She pleaded with him a few times--about being allowed to train in Italy as a musician (she was an outstanding pianist), about being allowed to travel with him & "Wolferl," and about being allowed to marry Armand d'Ippold, etc., but she never defied him. Mozart did rebel and was eventually allowed to marry the woman he chose. But no one else ever defied Leopold Mozart or bothered telling him the truth. Not that he would listen anyway. I wonder if he was truly this autocratic in real life, or if it's just Carolyn Meyer's vision of him?

This book is categorized as YA fiction, but I'm not certain many teenagers would like it. It wouldn't be among my top recommendations, at any rate. Not enough dialogue, character development, or even plot. I'm sure the chronology was pretty accurate, but the 30 or so years of Nannerl's life that it covers are almost entirely depressing.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Nannerl Mozart, like her younger brother Wolfgang Mozart, has been a talented musician since the time she was a small child. And it is from a young age that she is forced by an unloving and overbearing father to continuously give up her hopes and dreams for the sake of her brother. As a little girl she was allowed to perform by her father, who wanted to show off his children as child prodigies, but even then, she knew he preferred her brother.

When she is too old to be a child prodigy any longer, Nannerl must suffer and sacrifice even more due to the demands of her father, who is determined to put all his efforts into promoting his son’s career. Because she is a girl, and because of her father, she is prevented from studying, pursuing a position at court, or marrying the man of her choosing. Though she loves her brother, she becomes increasingly distant from him due to his career and her own unhappiness at the loss of all her dreams.

In Mozart’s Shadow is another excellent historical novel from the talented Carolyn Meyer. Once again she takes a young woman from the pages of history and brings her to life with all her feelings, hopes, and dreams. Nannerl Mozart was a talented young woman forced to sacrifice so much for her family, and hopefully this and other books about her will give her some of the fame she rightfully deserved in her own lifetime but was prevented from achieving because of her gender and the demands of her family.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I want to say Mrs. Meyers did a fantastic job of writing Mozart's sister's story but the unlucky one is Mozart himself, in this story he's a rude and proud and even vain man while she is a kind and ever trying to please her father. After she finds out she isn't needed, she doesn't sulk about her lost talent in utter misery. Throughout the story she is TRYING to please her unwilling father, it's hard to please your father who only loves your brother who is selfish and rude. And when her mother is taken away from her and her chance to be married is also gone, what can the poor girl do now? marry herself to the most disagreeable man and his children. In hopes she will find true happiness, she finds...unhappiness.
It's easy for him say I can please father and you can't, she is twenty and still single, do you know how hard it is to find a agreeable husband and marry him. All the time she in search of a husband, Mozart is having the easy life, he has already chosen a wife for himself and won't do what their father says until he agrees to the marriage. How selfish can you get? Nannrel is stuck with a horrible husband and even worse step-children, her only love is her music and her son who she barely gets to see, as often as she wants then when she thought all hope is lost.
Their father dies too. Now she is stuck with a family she can't stand only one of her daughters loves her and her son doesn't even see her very often to remember. Now that's a miserable life for you, then suddenly Mozart dies leaving her alone, yes this does have a happy ending like fairy tales but not like you think it will end.

[BAYA Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Young musicians and historical fiction lovers will enjoy this accurate, and therefore frequently depressing, tale of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's older sister, Nannerl. A talented and hardworking musician, Nannerl was, like her brother, exploited by their father Leopold as he paraded his genius children through the courts of Europe, winning acclaim, applause and occasionally, money. But Wolfgang's charm and extraordinary composing talent become Leopold's focus-and the fact that Nannerl was female in the 1700s made Leopold's emphasis on his son a societal given. The book is too long and detailed, but the Mozart children's love of music and their joy in sharing it with each other come through loud and clear, as does Nannerl's love for her little brother, despite her understandable jealousy. The cover means well, a color photo showing a glum, bewigged young woman in period costume, standing in the...yes! shadow! But it's painfully obvious. Tell your young musicians to ignore it, and dive in.

[E.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sad story. It was slow to start and I wasn't sure how I felt about Meyer's writing style, but it grew on me. Leopold Mozart was a very frustrating father, using his children as a means to make money and denying Anna-Marie's chances at both a happy marriage and a career as a keyboardist. I was rooting for her and Armand (I know little about Anna-Marie's history, so if I had, this book would not have been surprising) but NOPE her father just HAD to refuse. Anna-Marie's only marriage seemed....content (though not at first), but it was clearly not a marriage made for love. It was sad to see Anna-Marie and Wolfgang slowly lose contact, and even more sad, to watch as her brother became a famous and successful composer and musician and traveled frequently, while she stayed back and took care of her father. After reading this, I think I am inclined to check out Meyer's other historical fiction novels.

[Amy Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderfully written. Even though it is fiction, it could easily pass as a memoir of Nannerl Mozart's life. The reader feels every emotion that she is going through-- frustration, hurt, sadness, love, loss, etc. I randomly came across this book and thought wow, Mozart had a sister? Who was she? So I decided I needed to find out and I'm extremely glad I chose this book.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so glad that my genius brother(s) are not like Mozart...doesn't sound like it is worth it.

[Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so bad for Nannerl, she had such a hard life. At least she got to play during recitals in her early life.

[Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye-opening and somber book. Perhaps it was my expectation, considering it's often labeled middle grade, that made the melancholy ending catch me off guard, but after considering it further, I do think the ending worked. After all, no matter how much an author can tweak and tease history into fiction, most don't stray too far from the past to create a total reimagining, and if they do, the book is often labeled as such.

I found the beginning a tad bit slow and initially difficult to pinpoint what Nannerl's main story goal was exactly. However, this soon became clear and the story sharpened much better and allowed me to fully immerse myself in Nannerl's story. The writing was solid and created a window in which to view the story unfolding, and the predominant characters were easily distinguishable. However, many of the emperors and empresses and dukes and duchesses and counts and countesses, all mostly insignificant to the story, except to cause grief to the Mozart family when they occasionally died, completely slipped my mind. When one died or one was mentioned, I struggled to remember which royal was being written about. Essentially, they were useless, except to be related to more prominent characters.

I had never really thought about Mozart's sister, Nannerl, and reading about her story was incredibly interesting. Her struggle was very real and, while she at times seemed selfish, was quite realistically human. I also appreciated how, while I glimpsed Wolfgang Mozart's life, the story primarily centered around Nannerl.

What frustrated me most, but was not Carolyn Meyer's fault, was that Nannerl married a man her father approved, subsequently rejecting a poorer man she loved. Yes, history has restricted Carolyn Meyer in that respect, but it was quite disappointing. In fact, Nannerl follows a bit of a Negative Character Arc. Yes, she ends somewhat happily, at least, not unhappily, but her dreams are never realized. It was heartbreaking to read the closing chapter, which reflected back to the Prologue, where Wolfgang and Nannerl were celebrated and praised for their musical genius, to reverting to the present, in which her only audience is her family. However, performing for her family is still wonderful. Nannerl may not have been renowned like her brother, but she was allowed to play her music, and while she didn't have the fairy tale ending, she didn't have the horrible fate many Negative Character Arcs close with.

This book was an entertaining, sorrowful, delightful, thought provoking read that will have me reading more from Carolyn Meyer.

[Adelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually struggle with books set this far in the past, and I think full credit goes to Meyer for how much I enjoyed this story. Part of the issue is that the language is often quite hard for me to follow, certainly not the case with this one as I felt that (possibly because this is aimed at the young adult), Meyer took quite a bit of care in ensuring the language is as accessible as possible despite the subject matter. There were some words I didn’t understand, which I had to look up, but apart from that it was easy to follow and get into the scenes described in the book.

The author’s note at the end was a beautiful end to the book, I loved how seamlessly the end of the book transitioned into the author’s note where she ended with why she chose to write this book in the first place. Despite my training in classical music, making me very familiar with Mozart, I had no idea he had a sister let alone one that sounds as talented as he was in the field.

That’s not to say the story wasn’t outright infuriating, and again credit to Meyer for conveying what I perceived as injustice to Nannerl. I really don’t know what the girl was thinking, through the years of her father pleading “everyone being a part of Family Mozart”, yet very clearly favouring Wolfgang from the outset. Perhaps reading this in the 21st century made this really frustrating, in a day and age where simply being male is no longer justification for preferred status in a family. I did, though, enjoy the latter chapters of the book after Wolfgang had left Salzburg, where the author describes Nannerl’s relationship with her father. He clearly loves her dearly despite his slightly illogical actions at times, it was heartwarming to read of the way in which he supported her through the birth of her first child when she was having marital issues.

This is obviously a novel, so not 100% based on facts, but subsequent quick research suggests that although this is fictionalised, it is quite closely based on her research as many of the incidents that took place in the book are well-described by historians. Regardless, it was a wonderful account, a joy to read and I sped through it in just over a day. 4.5 stars, 5 on Goodreads.

[Krissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

"My life is much different now - not at all what I expected then, when we were Wunderkinder - "wonder children" - Wolfgang and Nanneral Mozart, the toast of Europe. This was our life, when we had mostly each other, before we grew older, before things happened that drove us apart. Now I sit in the gathering darkness, and I remember it all."

Real Rating: 2.5 stars

I was very lukewarm about In Mozart's Shadow. While the premise was exciting, there was something left to be desired.

It wasn't necessarily something I can pin. The writing was pretty good. I've read other Carolyn Meyer books that I've enjoyed more (Beware, Princess Elizabeth , Doomed Queen Anne ), but Mozart just didn't hit the same way.

I don't really know. This book just didn't effect me in any way. It wasn't bad, but it made no lasting impact.

[Stacy-ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5*

Meyer does a fantastic job with historical fiction. And a lot of times when the story is about a supporting character to a genius (Loving Will Shakespeare), it's down right depressing and sadly beautiful. This isn't a favorite story of mine. I find the attitudes and unchecked ambition of the Family Mozart aggravating and unattractive. and I can see how it could have been accurate. At first, Nannerl aggravated me with her petulance and selfishness. Mozart grew into an even more unlikeable character. And Meyer made no apologies for any of it. I will say, the redemption of Leopold, the father, was nice for the brief moment he was alive. And the mother's death and manner of it all cause me a few moments of real sadness and disappointment. And the lost old love of Nannerl...made me upset. So all in all, this book, (aided by listening to Mozart's music) was a good journey to the past and was wonderfully executed.

Again, cannot repeat how sad stories like these make me. The end.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-constructed story for teen audiences centering around Mozart's lesser known but no less brilliant and talented older sister, Nannerl. Told from her perspective, it spans from her childhood to her adolescent years and adulthood. Readers catch glimpses of opulent life in 18th century Europe and the evolution of Wolfgang's music and his reckless behavior. We also learn about Nannerl's personal sacrifice of her music career due to the sexist standards of her time as well as her journey of heartbreak as she cannot marry the man she truly loves, Captain Amrand d'Ippold. Overall, I think this book accurately showcased the struggles Nannerl faced during her lifetime and the constant overshadowing and belittling she experienced due to her brother's fame while her own dream of a music career was severely hindered. Nannerl is a strong heroine who, despite the strictures and rejections of society, managed to carve out a life for herself and continued fostering her love of music.

[Aubrey Manwaring · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the potential life of Mozart's talented sister, Nannerl. Nannerl was also a musical prodigy but faced severe disadvantages due to her gender at that historical time period. Nannerl dreamed of going to Salzberg to study music, but was denied the opportunity. The novel follows Nannerl's tragic life and shows how difficult life must have been for female musicians in the late eighteenth century.

I thought the book was extremely interesting! I don't mind sad books. I also didn't know enough about the subject matter or time period to know exactly how accurate the plot was. But, as a story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to any teenagers, especially young women interested in music and those who like historical fiction.

[Valli Pendyala · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Mozart's Shadow: His Sister's Story by Carolyn Meyer is a book about gender inequality and discrimination against women in history. It is set in eighteenth-century Europe, and it is about Anna "Nannerl" Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s older sister. Nannerl is a talented musician, but she is overshadowed by her gifted younger brother, Wolfgang. Throughout the story, she struggles to be noticed by her father, and other people who could further her career. She struggles through discrimination, and hardship, but she never gives up. I would recommend this to everyone, but especially to people who like strong female characters.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kinda sad that in a book about Nannerl, it was still more about Mozart than her. We had read another book about her in my daughter's school that we enjoyed a lot more (The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart) That one was more of a fiction story and was much more entertaining to read. This one was more of a date book of what Mozart was doing while Nannerl pouted. It did go to the end of her life although that was even more depressing as it was pretty dismally portrayed. This one also touches on more adult themes so might not want younger children reading it while The Secret Wish... was fine for younger kids to listen as well.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Nannerl so much that I was just sad for her. Her talent, her chance for love, even her children, stolen away by her father, who was either overprotective or neglectful. I wanted her to get her happy ending, but the historical note indicated that by the end of her life she was blind, unable to read or play music at all.

Don't get me wrong, the book was beautifully written, but it tears me up that she got no kind of happy ending at all. Even Mary Shelley, whose life basically froze when her husband died, had a more fulfilling life than Nannerl Mozart, and more visible impact on the world.

[Peggy Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, written in the first person on Nanneral's life. She, being Wolfgang Mozart's sister, states that her musical talent was downplayed as her younger brother was showcased by her father. Papa Mozart was completely in charge of the two children' careers. He favored the young son, pressed hard for concerts in the royal houses in various European countries. Young Mozart's talents included composing numerous operas, many which are now famous. Nanneral was forbidden a marriage of love, but was advised to marry an older widower, with misbehaving children. Her life appeared to bring her joy only in her music.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mozart's sister, Nannerl, was a talented, gifted young woman, yet never had the chance to make her own mark on the music world. Her father reminded me of Karen and Richard Carpenter's domineering parents, who controlled their two musical children from the get-go. Poor Nannerl never had the man she truly loved, a career she desired with all her heart, or indeed, the unconditional love of her father.

In spite of the death of her mother, Mozart's son, her father, and children of her own, Nannerl plowed ahead to make a life. Great story. Well told.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't imagine going through everything she went through. I admire a girl with so much strength to witness and endure so much heartache and strive. I felt it was written well and very informational. The storyline was fantastic I loved the story.

[Sophia Olivarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical books! And I especially loved this one because I barely knew anything about Mozart and his early life, and I was able to learn so much about it through the eyes of his sister who deserved so much better! I loved how she said that music was her true love

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if it was the writing or the life of Nannerl (sp?) herself but I found this really boring.

[Jeanne Manton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this as a very good YA. I enjoyed it but didn't learn as much as I had hoped.

[Violet Perry (Just a Bookish Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I learned a lot about Mozart and his time that I didn't know.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was definitely an interesting read, though it was a little long and not particularly exciting.

[The Grimm Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is good and the plot is written well, but the story is depressing. Poor Nannerl.

[Susan Strahm · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, In Mozart’s Shadow, is a historical fiction, based on the life of Wolfgang Mozart’s sister, Nannerl. The author, Carolyn Meyer, writes it as if Nannerl is writing in a diary. The book tells of Nannerl’s life with her brother, playing clavichord and other instruments. They travel all over Europe, and she begins to miss Salzburg, her home. When they get back, they want to go on another trip, but she isn’t allowed to come. She’s always wanted to have a career in music, but when Wolfgang overrides her as a musician, her dreams slowly crumble, and fall apart.

A recurring theme in this book is to hold on to the things that make you happy. The only reason Nannerl wasn’t happy, was because she wouldn’t let herself be happy. Music was her life, and she let go of it.