This was breathtakingly beautiful. The imagery was stunning and the main plot line was incredibly moving and intriguing. I don't often read historical fiction, but when I do, I want it just like this!

I loved almost everything about this book. The storyline was different and well imagined, although based on a true life event. I felt like I was inside both the orchestra nd it's music. I liked how the orphahs had characters which did not first and foremost engender pity but made the reader really see their live experience. Anna Maria was not without her flaws, she was a terrible friend in many ways. She placed herself and her music above all but at the same time I could not help liking her and wanting her to succeed. There was a time or two when I wanted things to move more quickly but generally I was enjoying the unwinding of events.

This is a really well constructed debut and I would definitely look for more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book! I'd seen this book advertised, and was really excited to read it!

The Instrumentalist is an extraordinary book about Anna Maria della Pietà, a violinist, who was an orphan at the Ospedale della Pietà.

This was the first historical fiction I'd read, and it did not disappoint. I loved that the author chose to keep it as accurate as possible despite the lack of information known about her. I found the book as a whole incredibly interesting, and I really enjoyed it. While it took me a while to get through, it was not boring. I found sympathy for most of the characters, but I also appreciated it showed their faults too. It pulls the strings of your emotions throughout.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or is interested in violins/ classical music. It is a powerful book.

A lovely historical novel with a great main character and an interesting story. Her mentor is a little problematic for me but his traits were not unusual for men at that time. Impressive for a debut, with lots of colourful prose and the musical references were a joy.

I loved the premise of this book and I wasn't disappointed. I loved delving into the past for a snapshot of life during this era. Very enjoyable

I enjoyed this very much. I loved the descriptions of life in the orphanage and the special friendships formed by the girls. I thought Anna Maria's ambition was well portrayed and provided a lot of drama. Also her vulnerable situation added to the tension and the fact that this was based on real people made it all the more interesting.

Not my usual book to acquire but this one was too beautiful too pass up. I so look forward to sharing my full thoughts and review very soon. I apoloyIk going through some unexpected secret health issues at the moment, but slowly catching up on reviews. Books are truly the best medicine to get lost in so I think this will make a very good choice for my next read. I could see this not only being a great book club selection, but a beautiful movie as well

The Instrumentalist takes place in Venice, 1704. As a baby Anna Maria was left outside the Ospedale della Pietà and when she is eight Vivaldi comes to teach the violin. Anna Maria knows she is gifted and wants to be a star. She becomes Vivaldi’s star pupil but she threatens to overthrow the maestro.

This was enjoyable to an extent. To be honest I needed more character work because the majority of this was focused on the violin which is to be expected considering the book. This just didn’t hold my interest and I’m giving it 3 stars.

I’ve had it eye on this novel for a while. The premise sounded great and I love when authors take real life people and fictionalise their journeys. This was an easy read and the writing was enjoyable. I did a bit of a lag in the middle and it maybe didn’t quite live up to my expectations but I still enjoyed it and would recommend.

The Instrumentalist could potentially be a great novel inspired, as it is, by an actual historical figure: Antonio Vivaldi's student and muse, Anna Maria della Pietà (1696 – 1782). Unfortunately, Harriet Constable is so focused on creating imagery and atmosphere, using all the senses, that the story she is trying to tell loses out. The author appears to have done little more research on her protagonist than a quick glance at the brief online Wikipedia entry about her. Although this is a work of historical fiction, some readers would surely like to glean more in-depth information about the real Anna Maria than Constable offers. It's a shame, since with a little more effort on the author's part in terms of factual research and less preoccupation with draining every last drop of atmosphere out of her descriptions, The Instrumentalist could have been an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for the ARC.

I think the concept and historical setting is very unique and many readers will enjoy this story of an orphan's journey to musical success that charts Anna Maria's life from a baby to first picking up the violin to eventual success. She is portrayed as ruthlessly dedicated to her violin and often seen losing the ones around her due to her ambitions. The historical context of Venice and the what life was like for orphans is written in detail and is emphasised through Anna Maria's friends like Paulina. The author attempts to portray the sexism towards women, especially in the music industry through Anna Maria and her determination to break down barrier that obviously many girls or women in the same position weren't able to. Considering this is based on a real historical figure, I didn't feel that they were well presented or their story communicated in a way that celebrated an individual that really made great strides in a male dominated period of time.

That being said, I really struggled with the writing style that was often jarring and disjointed that made reading difficult. The characters aren't written in a way that I could connect with early on and I found Anna Maria unlikeable, which I think is the point. This book would definitely appeal to fans of musical history that captures the context and realities of life at the time.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

I’ve really started to enjoy reading historical fiction, and this was no exception. The writing was vivid, the story was well paced, and I really enjoyed the modern take on it. It’s important to mention that this book is inspired by a real person, but is NOT a biography, so it’s important to realise that not everything mentioned in this book will be “factually” accurate.

Overall, great book, great storytelling, and I enjoyed it!

This book was magnificent! The raw passion that burns on every page! Absolutely enthralling.

This is a historical novel that tells us of Anna-Maria, a ridiculously talented and driven musician who discovers the violin at the age of eight and realises what she wants in life is to be the greatest violinist of her time. However she lives in a time where women have few rights and their successes are to be owned and paraded by men. She is frequently reminded how lucky she is to be in such a nice orphanage. A hypocrisy when, if it wasn’t for societal prejudice, she wouldn’t have been in an orphanage to begin with.

Anna-Maria has a mentor she adores, but who we learn is capricious and often toxic. She is driven to work harder, often at the cost of her own personal relationships. But suffers from the vanity of her mentor and the sexism of the time. This is her story of how, despite the odds being stacked against her, she is determined to succeed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was beautifully written, completely engrossing and so thought-provoking. Definitely read the author’s notes at the end for historical context!

I really enjoyed this book which imagines the story of Anna Maria della Pieta. Left at an orphanage as a baby, she has the chance to embrace music and becomes a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Her teacher, Vivaldi, leads the orchestra of extremely talented orphans to perform to the rich and famous of Venice. However, as a girl she can’t have the recognition she deserves.

Whilst based on fact, the story fills in the gaps that nobody knows. Was Vivaldi the person he is made out to be? Could orphaned girls possibly have the power suggested? Whether or not the details are true I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Playing Vivaldi while reading enhances the experience even more.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy.

I was quite dubious about this as it’s not my go to genre. However, I was enthralled!! Absolutely captivating writing. This is historical fiction that grabs you and keeps you reading until the very last page

This is the best book I have read recently. It tells the little known story of a virtuoso violinist, Anna Marie de la Pieta who was an orphan, yet became a hugely famous violinist. The book details her struggles to get to that position, sometimes selfish, always determined and hugely talented. The lovely aspect of the book was the use of prose to describe playing music, making it sound lyrical and describing it in terms of colour emanating from the violin. This made Anna Marie sound an inspirational and instinctive player setting her above her peers. There is a strong voice for women’s rights and how despite their talent, their influence was quite unjustly sidelined. All in all, a lovely read.

The Instrumentalist tells the story of Anna Maria della Pieta, a young musician who is tutored by Antonio Vivaldi. From the first few pages, Harriet Constable's writing style is captivating, with elegant descriptions of both the city of Venice, and the music that Anna composes throughout the story. The way she writes about Anna's synaesthesia and what she sees as she hears and plays her compositions was particularly striking, and made it easy to imagine such vivid images. The plot itself was gripping, and I never wanted to put the book down.

Despite Anna's often unlikeable character, Harriet Constable really made me understand her and feel for her. I didn't have much historical knowledge about this period of time in Venice before reading, but the book really piqued my interest and I spent some time researching it myself after reading. It was clear that the author did a lot of research while writing, and she was able to paint a detailed picture of what life was like for women in Venice, both inside and outside the Pieta. Some of the characters' attitudes were perhaps more progressive than they were likely to be in real life at the time, but if you can suspend your disbelief, you'll be swept up into the story. Overall a strong debut, and I'll be looking out for more books from Harriet Constable!

Four stars as it would have been interesting to see more of Anna Maria's adult life (although I do see the appeal of leaving this open-ended) and the lives of other girls in the Pieta who were perhaps not as fortunate as Anna Maria.

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the ARC! This review will be shared on my goodreads profile and Instagram page closer to the publication date.

Although an interesting subject i struggled to get into this one and to get into the lead story.
However, knowing that these characters existed has made me want to look into that more.
I think if this had been more non fiction i'd have been more interested in all honesty.

Wow. This book was incredibly powerful and very moving. Anna Maria was an inspiration- to be so driven from such a tiny age and yet to be so broken and unable to love and form attachments. I had never known about the existence of the Pieta- a beautiful idea, even if it was still full of heartache, it offered these girls a chance at life rather than being drowned at birth in the canals like so many others. Harriet Constable writes beautifully and I was utterly absorbed from beginning to end- would absolutely recommend.

"The Instrumentalist" by Harriet Constable immerses readers in the glittering yet harsh world of 1704 Venice, where desperation and destitution contrast sharply with the city's splendor. At the Ospedale della Pietà, abandoned orphan girls like eight-year-old Anna Maria are posted through a tiny gap in the wall every day. Anna Maria is different, obsessive, and gifted, with a singular ambition to become Venice's greatest violinist and composer. Despite the odds stacked against her, she is determined to succeed, especially when the maestro selects her as his star pupil. However, as Anna Maria's talent shines brighter, tensions arise, threatening her dreams and her relationship with her mentor.

Constable's vivid descriptions bring the setting and characters to life, transporting readers to the vibrant world of 18th-century Venice. Anna Maria's passion for music is palpable, and her journey from orphaned girl to aspiring virtuoso is compelling. The novel effectively explores themes of ambition, talent, and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals striving for greatness in a society that often overlooks them. The dynamic between Anna Maria and her mentor adds depth to the narrative, as their relationship evolves amidst the backdrop of musical ambition and rivalry.

However, while "The Instrumentalist" offers a captivating premise and engaging characters, it occasionally falls short in pacing and character development. Some plot points feel rushed, and certain aspects of Anna Maria's growth and relationships could have been more fully explored. Additionally, the resolution of conflicts towards the end of the novel may leave some readers wanting more closure or development. Despite these minor flaws, "The Instrumentalist" is a solid three-star read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and music-themed novels, offering an immersive journey into the world of a young prodigy chasing her dreams amidst the splendor and challenges of 18th-century Venice.