Cry to Heaven
Published: 12, September 1982
Author: Anne Rice
Genres: Adult, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ+, Psychological, Saga, Thrillers, Vampire
Check the summary of this book here:
Cry to Heaven Summary
The Review:
Anne Rice's magnificent historical tale "Cry to Heaven" shows the beauty and selfishness of the human spirit when it is entangled in a torturous political and sociological web. I couldn't put this book down and couldn't forget it - there's a lot to think about. The conclusion was clever and surprising. Anne Rice's depictions of old Venice and other classical Italian towns are as rich and dense as a tapestry.
I had no idea what to anticipate when I picked up this book, but I was immediately taken in and carried along in this tumultuous tale, unable to do anything else until I completed it.
As I followed Tonio through the horror that became his reality, I sobbed, ranted, and wanted to shout aloud. The author has the ability to make you experience the characters' emotions, become the character, and envision yourself in the scene, as she has done so many times in the past.
You take on the role of a Venetian, smelling the canals, seeing the architecture, and feeling the winds. In this novel, she really outdid herself. You see Tonio grow from a lonely small child to a promising adolescent with a bright future, only to plunge into the worst night of his life as he discovers everything he knows is a lie and loses everything he ever had but his voice.
As his circumstances break him down, he must learn to reach out to others around him, his new "family," and trust them, develop in his new job, flourish, and eventually become the "man" he is intended to be.
This was a fantastic book to read! The tale, as well as the depth of the characters, pulled me in from the first page and held me captivated until the last. Tonio was such a charming, if not troubled, character that it was impossible not to feel affection for him while also feeling sympathy for him.
The inner fortitude he possessed to traverse such tragedies at such a young age and yet shine brilliantly in the world was nothing short of amazing!!!
Guido was another extremely charming character, and the castrati's agony and misery for their abilities and art seemed unfathomable. Guido, like Tonio, went through hell and came out the other side loving, motivating, and absolutely admirable.
The love story between these two eunuchs and the other characters was engrossing, moving, and romantic, while also being sensuous, if not downright hot at moments.
Their need to be loved despite what had been done to them and society's contempt for them truly moved me.
Anne Rice has such a talent for weaving these lovely individuals into the fabric of history that the novel is a page-turner that any reader will find enthralling and thoroughly delightful!
Maestro is a fair descriptor for such a brilliant tale-teller, despite the fact that it is largely a musical term. Please do yourself a favor and read this great and moving story.
The surroundings of 18th century Italy are gorgeous in this tale, which was so well written. I could almost envision myself there, hearing, seeing, and smelling the noises, colors, and fragrances of the time period.
Her characters are so well-drawn that I felt as though I actually knew them. Above all, the storyline is fantastic, a tale of adventure, vengeance, and the quest to find one's own identity.
Not to add a fantastic conclusion that had me riveted to my seat. Regrettably, I've discovered that her Vampire and Witch books often hide this book. This book, in my opinion, is superior to them.
Forget about vampires and witches for a moment and sample this little-known treasure. Ironically, despite the fact that this work has been published for more than twenty years, no one I question has read it, and some have never heard of it.
Many of my acquaintances claim that they have always seen the book on the shelf but have never wanted to read it. But, after reading it, I was glad I did because of what I discovered, and it is now my little secret, which I encourage you to read as well.
Anne Rice did her homework and presented the fictitious characters in a historically accurate environment, as she constantly does. The book spends a lot of time talking about singing and the joys and problems that come with it.
These characteristics, as well as the descriptive descriptions of gorgeous places in Italy, appealed to me. You should be aware that this book contains a significant amount of homoeroticism.
That part became a bit of an irritant to me. But to be honest, I believe that real art should occasionally make us uncomfortable. In this work, author deftly conveys the sense of unease. I also felt that there was a long, drawn-out build-up to the book's climax, which arrives at the very end with little descending action.
It's possible that this is one of the best novels I've ever read. No one writes as meticulously as Anne Rice. This isn't a tale about vampires. There's nothing here about the occult or witches.
It revolves around a young nobleman who was castrated by his brother/father in order to prevent him from getting something (I feel mentioning it may be considered as a spoiler.) This is a book you will not be able to put down.
Final Thoughts:
I wasn't anticipating a novel like this after reading all of her vampire stories. It was based on true historical events. It kept a terrific plot thread going. If you enjoy historically accurate, well-written fiction, I strongly advise you to read it. If you favor her vampire novels, though, you will probably not enjoy this.
Because Anne Rice's vampire series receives so much attention, this book is sometimes neglected. A lovely, compelling narrative about the victory of the human spirit over something higher than man.
A romantic story of a mentor and student's classical love, as well as a boy's path to manhood, which is cut short by physical castration, and his ascent, victory, and change.
Anne Rice's words, which carry us to 18th century Venice, Naples, and Rome for this amazing odyssey of wrath and forgiveness, seem to breathe the past once more.
Despite the fact that the novel concludes on a happy note, tears welled up in my eyes. Take a chance on this one. It is well worth the time you will have to devote to fully comprehending it. It was a terrible period in our history, but one that ought to be remembered.
Synopsis:
“In a sweeping saga of music and vengeance, the acclaimed author of The Vampire Chronicles draws readers into eighteenth-century Italy, bringing to life the decadence beneath the shimmering surface of Venice, the wild frivolity of Naples, and the magnetic terror of its shadow, Vesuvius. This is the story of the castrati, the exquisite and otherworldly sopranos whose graceful bodies and glorious voices win the adulation of royal courts and grand opera houses throughout Europe. These men are revered as idols—and, at the same time, scorned for all they are not.
Praise for Anne Rice and Cry to Heaven
“Daring and imaginative . . . [Anne] Rice seems like nothing less than a magician: It is a pure and uncanny talent that can give a voice to monsters and angels both.”—The New York Times Book Review
“To read Anne Rice is to become giddy as if spinning through the mind of time.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“If you surrender and go with her . . . you have surrendered to enchantment, as in a voluptuous dream.”—The Boston Globe
“Anne Rice is eerily good at making the impossible seem self-evident.”—Time”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Anne Rice, Beautifully Written, Century Italy, Cry To Heaven, Eunuchs, Historical Fiction, Recommend This Book, Sex Scenes, Subject Matter, Vampire Chronicles, Well Written, Years Ago, Young Boys
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: 50/100 Yes.
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