Music and Silence

I found this book in a little back street shop in East Grinstead, the picture on the front intriqued me and also the title "Silence and Music". How could you have music and yet there be silence. Read on and find out the mystery is within the pages.

The story is based in 1629, a young Emglish Lutest named Peter Claire arrives at the Danish Court to join King Christian IV's Royal Orchestra. From the moment he arrives he realises that the musicians perform in a freezing cellar underneath the Royal Apartments. Peter Claire understands that he's come to a place where the opposing states of light and dark, good and evil, are waging war to the death.

Designated the King's 'Angel' because of his good looks, he finds himself falling in love with a young woman who is the companion of the King's adulterous and estranged wife, Kirsten. With his loyalties fatelly divided between duty and passion, how can Peter Claire find the path that will realise his hopes and save his soul?

 This story is Rose Tremain's most fantastic achievement and also the most extraordinary novel where he shares a great and funny narrative and yet it is a compelling but a noisy and wonderful book.