Written by Rosie O’Neill
The Kingdom of Back is a historical retelling, woven through with more than a little touch of fantasy. It tells the story of Nannerl Mozart, a talented musician and composer in her own right – and real life older sister to legendary composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The Kingdom of Back centres around the theme of legacy as Nannerl strives to forge one for herself. Her greatest desire is to be remembered for her music and leave her mark on the world, something which is incredibly relatable and part of what made this book so enjoyable for me. When Nannerl voices her secret wish one night, she is heard by faerie princeling Hyacinth, who offers to grant her wish in exchange for her completion of three tasks. The enigmatic princeling and his tasks are from the Kingdom of Back, a fantasy place invented by the Mozart siblings that becomes more and more real throughout the story.
Author Marie Lu uses a rich and lush descriptive style that creates a vivid sense of setting. The lines between the ‘real’ world and the magical Kingdom of Back blur and shift without defined boundaries – it becomes harder and harder to know whether the magical land created by the two siblings is real or imaginary. The strong sense of place and identity is shaped by the beautiful references to Salzburg (where the Mozarts live), along with the places they visit on tour. Music and sound play a strong sensory role in Lu’s imagery, creating a dreamlike and intoxicating world where the sibling’s passion and obsession for their art become one.
The characters of Nannerl and her young brother Wolfgang (affectionately known as Wolferl) are wonderfully drawn. Their loving and protective relationship is such an important part of this story when contrasted with Nannerl’s aching desire to be as successful as her brilliant brother – both in the eyes of their overbearing father and the wider world.
The plot really becomes a way for Nannerl to process her feelings around growing up, along with everything that means as a woman in her time. Her central conflict is based around finding a way to balance her true creative purpose with her perceived place in the world. It’s much less about the tasks and the action – there is little urgent sense of danger for Nannerl in the Kingdom of Back – whether faced with a witch in an underwater cavern, or a fearsome ogre. The true stakes are found much closer to home in the financial difficulty faced by her parents and the ever present fevers and plagues which threaten the Mozart siblings.
Perhaps the biggest threat for Nannerl is the passage of time. From the moment she gets her first period, to the frequent references to her height and the way she is changing, we get the sense that Nannerl equates adulthood with marriage and invisibility – something which is demonstrated in several scenes through the actions of her own mother. It’s this sense of desperation over her own inevitable disappearance that Lu uses to really drive Nannerl’s character. Is this the true reason she accepts Hyacinth’s tasks so readily? He is the first male character to really see Nannerl, to appreciate her talents and strength, and to fuel her desires.
It’s only once Nannerl begins to see herself through her brother’s eyes, and recognise that legacy can be quiet but still profound, that she realises the true nature of Hyacinth’s plans and finds the courage to do the right thing.
The Kingdom of Back is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Two siblings. Two brilliant talents. But only one Mozart.
Born with a gift for music, Nannerl Mozart has just one wish–to be remembered forever. But even as she delights audiences with her masterful playing, she has little hope she’ll ever become the acclaimed composer she longs to be. She is a young woman in 18th century Europe, and that means composing is forbidden to her. She will perform only until she reaches a marriageable age–her tyrannical father has made that much clear.
And as Nannerl’s hope grows dimmer with each passing year, the talents of her beloved younger brother, Wolfgang, only seem to shine brighter. His brilliance begins to eclipse her own, until one day a mysterious stranger from a magical land appears with an irresistible offer. He has the power to make her wish come true–but his help may cost her everything.
In her first work of historical fiction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu spins a lush, lyrically-told story of music, magic, and the unbreakable bond between a brother and sister.
