Playing by Heart was inspired by two amazing sisters who were far ahead of their time--mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi and composer Maria Teresa Agnesi. For information about them, see this website I created. Playing by Heart is available wherever books are sold, including your favorite independent bookseller here or through links on the publisher's website.
Teachers and homeschooling parents : subscribe to Carmela's Creativity Newsletter to download a FREE Teacher's Guide containing book-related student activities and discussion questions for Playing by Heart here. I'm thrilled the response to Playing by Heart has been so positive. I'm especially honored that DePaul University Education Professor Roxanne Owens called the novel "a must-read addition for school libraries everywhere.
The Catholic Press Association noted that "So much of the history of Italy is noted in this book that it could be a selected read for high schools. Additional awards and accolades are listed in the right sidebar.
For links to online reviews, see this page. The attraction between Emilia and Antonio is sweet and innocent, and readers will hope for their relationship to blossom. All in all, Martino's latest is a sweet and pleasurable read. Topics covered are family ties, vocation and feminism.
Being a historical romance will enable this book to be appealing to a variety of readers. So much of the history of Italy is noted in this book that it could be a selected read for high schools. Martino is able to accomplish this by filling her novel with a page-turning plot, relatable and engaging characters, and descriptions of.
Italy and court life that fill the reader's imagination. There's no lack of characters to root for or interesting scenes to lose yourself in. The story of sisters. Emilia and Maria Salvini is riveting, rich, and like a lovely piece of music, impossible to forget. You'll love Emilia Salvini in her impossible quest to be herself at a time and place when girls had no choices.
It is rather understandable why he will want to do that. Not to mention, willing to take time to gather a fortune because he loves Emilia and goes through all the ways of the time and respecting her. As for the ending, it was what I did expect of such a book. And it really made me like them, perhaps it was just the main characters who really clicked with me and the writing which worked so well for me to get into their heads.
And really, I will fall in love with a girl who takes an active part in her life rather than just hoping for her wishes to come true. I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Oct 15, Katy rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. This is a beautiful piece of historical fiction, set in 18th century Milan. The MC is a musician, and it was fascinating to watch her talents and opportunities unfold, especially during a time when the education of young women was considered unnecessary.
Like her lovely compositions, I was moved by the story and the superb writing. The details were so well-researched, I never once felt anything but totally immersed in the time and place. If you like historical fiction about strong young women, I This is a beautiful piece of historical fiction, set in 18th century Milan.
If you like historical fiction about strong young women, I highly recommend this book! Finishing this book gave me the same satisfied feeling as listening to a brilliant concert! Jan 13, Kathryn rated it it was amazing. Playing By Heart was just an excellent book! This story is written in first person by a young girl who has the gift of music in a time when only males were thought of to study music theory.
She has a difficult life, yet is willing to work hard to reach her goals. Tragedy occurs, and ult Playing By Heart was just an excellent book! Tragedy occurs, and ultimately she chooses a huge sacrifice of her heart to help her sister and keep a promise made to her mother. You will be drawn to Emilia, and honor her virtue. The love, anguish, loss, fear, sorrow, and anger she feels, you will feel as well. Recommended for teen to adult.
Dec 04, Judy Peters rated it it was amazing. This is a great book for teens and adults alike. It was so captivating, I couldn't put it down! The scenes were described in such detail I felt as if I was right there with all the characters. People now-a-days forget how women were treated as second class to men.
Emilia won my heart by all the things she did to capture her feelings through her music. You can feel the intensity of her playing as you read.
There is a lot of interesting historical facts that run throughout the book as well as well This is a great book for teens and adults alike. There is a lot of interesting historical facts that run throughout the book as well as well as the correct amount of Italian Milan words that make the book believable for the time period. Kudos to Carmela Martino for writing this most enjoyable book! Feb 21, Nsalem rated it really liked it. Sweet, easy to read historical fiction.
Loved all of the little details that brought the period to life. I enjoyed it! Nov 12, Cathy rated it it was amazing. A tale of two super smart sisters - Maria and Emilia - born in the wrong time, struggling to please their father while trying to follow their hearts. Not an easy endeavor for a woman in 18th Century Milan, especially with an over ambitious father who cares more about gaining a noble title than his daughters' true desires.
Your heart goes out to Emilia as she performs the harpsichord in front of the people her father is trying to please. And, you understand Maria's shyness and nervousness about b A tale of two super smart sisters - Maria and Emilia - born in the wrong time, struggling to please their father while trying to follow their hearts. And, you understand Maria's shyness and nervousness about being put on display.
You will flip through the pages hoping that the sisters' dreams come true. Carmela Martino wrote this lovely tale after reading about about linguist and mathematician Maria Gaetana and musician and composer Maria Teresa Agnesi - two amazing sisters who lived in 18th Century Milan.
For an extra treat, listen to Maria Teresa Agnesi's music performed by musicians on Youtube to really understand what a muisical genius she was. Jul 12, Carrie rated it it was amazing. This is well-written and extensively researched historical fiction that promotes girl power, 18th-century style. Based on 2 sisters who lived in Milan in the s, this story takes a departure into their inner lives and feelings and circumstances. Their father promoted and encouraged their education, but often for his own gain.
Here, the story is a beautiful riff on this kernel of h This is well-written and extensively researched historical fiction that promotes girl power, 18th-century style. Here, the story is a beautiful riff on this kernel of history: it is told from the viewpoint of Emilia the younger sister and mostly focuses on her musicianship and its obstacles -- being disregarded by her music instructor simply because she is female, being disregarded by her father initially because her sister Maria's talents were so dominant and evident.
Emilia persists in part because of faith and in part because of love her mother's and her heart's desire, another musician Antonio Bellini. All the characters are richly developed as is the conflict: whether Maria and Emilia will be allowed to pursue their passion -- for Maria it is the convent and the opportunity to help the poor; for Emilia it is marriage to Antonio and the opportunity to pursue composing music.
Social mores of the time and their father's own prejudices and past history interfere, as well as some family drama and upheaval. While Signor Salvini is forward-thinking when it comes to his daughters' extraordinary education, he is also a little predatory about their talents, using them to secure a noble title and status for themselves. The story is unfolds expertly with additional characters and plot twists woven in -- not unlike a masterful musical composition with a crescendo at the end.
A great read for the age group, especially girls who will benefit from its message of determining their own destiny. Jun 25, Caelyn Wodka rated it it was amazing. This was a very inspiring novel that really melted my heart. It was a book my friend recommended, and I especially loved it because of the musical aspect. I also appreciated that it was Catholic.
From here on, it will be a book I will never forget. Dec 01, Leslie Lindsay rated it it was amazing. Sweeping historical novel set in 18th century Milan features bright, spirited girls well ahead of their time. Oh, but the Salvini sisters, Maria and Emilia, have so much more they want to do with their lives. Emilia, 'the second sister,' wants nothing more than to marry a man who loves music as much as she does. Her sister, on the other hand Sweeping historical novel set in 18th century Milan features bright, spirited girls well ahead of their time.
Her sister, on the other hand, really desires to take the veil, but her father has insisted she become a scholar--her brilliant language skills are second to none she has mastered seven! In fact, he hopes her skills land their large family in noble status. Their desires are often incongruent with the 18th century culture of Milan.
While it is billed as a romance, I didn't see it as that at all, but more of a determined and bright young girl searching for satisfaction in a life she wants so desperately. For all my reviews, including author interviews, please see: www. All thoughts are my own.
Jun 05, Billy Buttons rated it it was amazing. The historical setting is well-described, and the girl, Emelia, is interesting to follow on her story. I enjoyed it a lot. The setting is almost a character in the story. I loved it. But the story was!!! Complex plot, but not too complex, lots of romance and intrigue. The writing style is perfect for an historical novel. Nov 02, Cindy Huff rated it really liked it. The Savini family, a well-crafted model of a wealthy Milan Family during the Regency period.
The research is apparent when all the little details mix together to draw the reader into the setting. A change of setting was refreshing. I am unfamiliar with Italian culture, especially in the s. It was interesting to learn about the time and a little Italian as well. The lessons folded in the seams of a delightful love story. A heroine who plays the harpsichord and composes music sets this story apart from your typical romance.
Her love for music is almost overshadowed by her love for Antonio Bellini, a gifted violinist and composer. The plot, well executed. Nothing is simple for Emilia and her sisters. Lots of plot twists and surprises on the way to happily-ever-after. Learning the sisters were based on real people added to the enjoyment of Playing By Heart.
Brava Carmela Martino. Nov 14, Maria rated it it was amazing. I hate good books for one teeny little reason. They end. The story itself is deeply Catholic, without putting emphasis on it, but rather weaving the Faith into the very life of its characters, which is a literary aspect I greatly admire.
There is also an exquisite use of vivid and colourful imagery. I greatly enjoyed the musical facets in the s I hate good books for one teeny little reason. I greatly enjoyed the musical facets in the story, especially from the view of the main protagonist, and also her relate-ability, despite her noble status. These are but a few aspects of a sensational story, and I highly recommend this book to others, especially to those around my own age And I would also like to say grazie for kindly providing me with a copy of your wonderful book.
Jan 22, L Cam rated it really liked it Shelves: arc , ya-realistic-fiction. I really loved this book. It's hard for me to like historical fiction sometimes, but what got me was the setting and culture. There's something romantic about Italy in the 18th century. It's a completely different culture both in values and social norms.
There are gender stereotypes, but it's reflective of the culture and society at the time. I prayed to the Blessed Virgin that no matter what happened, Adriana would not abandon Vincenzo or Paola.
A few days later, Nina announced an unexpected visitor—Gabriella. The early summer heat had already made the parlor uncomfortably warm. I opened the balcony doors for some fresh air. I thought he was one of your suitors. Rather than bother Father with what might be idle gossip, Raffaele went to see Volpi himself.
Well, when Raffaele arrived, Volpi was climbing into his carriage. The scoundrel admitted to my brother that he was headed for Austria.
Raffaele asked him what his intentions were regarding me. And Volpi said he had none!
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