I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. though a little boring at times I enjoyed reading this book.

Inspired by the life of Beethoven and letters addressing his ‘Immortal Beloved’, Immortal rather wonderfully, instead of following a Beethoven centred narrative, choses to tell the story through the eyes of Countess Therese Brunsvik, a woman suspected throughout history to be Beethoven’s secret love. Here, Beethoven, although an imposing presence throughout, takes a back seat to Therese and her sister Josephine. Inspired by the words and works of a man, this is a tale that belongs to the women.

Of course, the real details are lost to history and this is a fictional imagining concocted by piecing together pieces of the past and casting assumptions. But I loved it. Therese is a wonderfully strong, competent woman, an ardent feminist in a time when women were viewed as pretty pieces of property with no rights. And it was these lack of rights and the ‘rules’ of a hypocritical society that form the real tragedy of this tale. The details of how women were treated in the past always make me angry, more so when, although clearly there has been great strides in terms of women’s rights in the modern day, I can still see shadows of what was still lingering today.

The era is tumultuous, set to the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Based in large part in Vienna, the aristocracy display their privilege unashamedly. The hypocrisies of the class system burned me, and I found myself endlessly frustrated at the ways in which Josephine in particular found herself in an unending cycle of imprisonment, trapped by consequence of her gender. I found it particularly interesting how Beethoven, although male and revered by the aristocracy, was subject to similar constraints in matters of love, due simply to his class.

One of the most wonderful aspects of this novel is the treatment of music. I love music, but I would say in a superficial way and I claim no expertise in the subject, except that I love the way that it makes me feel. And I think that this came through so strongly here. The way in which Therese describes music, the mirroring of emotion in the notes played, the subtleties and the way in which the music spoke to those listening. Very often the description of the music being played felt so incredibly sensual, and soul baring, that I would find myself flooded with goosebumps. True immortality is the way in which the composer lives on in these works of art.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a unique take and I enjoyed getting to go through this book. The timeline was interesting and I enjoyed having a book about Beethoven.

The premise of this book intrigued me - who was Beethoven's 'Immortal Beloved'? However the book soon slipped into a world of overwritten cliches too often present in historical fiction. I am sure it will appeal to many but I got frustrated and gave up just before halfway!

Throughout the years, generations have wondered the true identity of Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved. Jessica Duchen’s historical novel provides a fascinating glimpse into Beethoven’s world through the eyes of Countess Therese Brunswick, his suspected secret love. Therese and her sister Josephine are piano students of Beethoven's and take center stage throughout this novel. Josephine, known as Pepi is musically gifted and beautiful, Therese, an accomplished musician herself, is single, a trailblazer, strong-willed and a feminist. It is Beethoven’s association with the countesses that reveals who he was. His brilliance, his insecurities, his trying childhood and his constant need to be wanted and loved. With the colors and luxury of Vienna as a backdrop, this is a beautifully told love story that touches the heart.
As highly enjoyable as it is recommended. Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest book review.