'May well be the most perfectly constructed, moving, and beautiful novel I've ever read' ANN PATCHETTAcclaimed Pulitzer-Prize winner Yiyun Li, returns with a sweeping historical epic, following two extraordinary musicians on the rise.In Dublin, as the eighteenth century nears its end, a young musical virtuoso comes of age. John Field is able to hear notes in the air, and his family aspires for him to become the next Mozart. His talent takes him far - to England, France, and then Russia, where he becomes a famous pianist and composes dreamy melodies that enchant the night air. John calls them nocturnes, but the prodigy who immortalizes them is Chopin.Oceans away in Pondicherry, French India, Adelaide Percheron embarks on a startling rise of her own. Orphaned at a young age, she is raised by her enterprising grandmother. Without the luxury of riches, only marriage seems to offer prosperity - until she sets her sights on a pianoforte. Driven by her love of music, she engineers her exodus, escaping to Paris and later to Moscow, as Napoleon's army sets out to conquer the continent.Peopled by rival prodigies, irate tutors and begrudging guardians, Yiyun Li's magisterial novel depicts two aspiring musicians - destined to be husband and wife - in pursuit of success. As John and Adelaide each try to chart a path between talent and genius, profit and passion, they must decide what, and even who, is worth sacrificing along the way.Drawing inspiration from the past but finding entirely new forms, Music Against the Night is an exquisite, exhilarating epic from a writer at the height of her powers.
| ISBN: | 9780008647810 |
| Publication date: | 13th October 2026 |
| Author: | Yiyun Li |
| Publisher: | 4th Estate an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 352 pages |
| Genres: |
Historical Fiction Art music, orchestral and formal music Narrative theme: Love and relationships Narrative theme: Sense of place Narrative theme: Journeys and voyages Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction |
'May well be the most perfectly constructed, moving, and beautiful novel I've ever read' ANN PATCHETTAcclaimed Pulitzer-Prize winner Yiyun Li, returns with a sweeping historical epic, following two extraordinary musicians on the rise.In Dublin, as the eighteenth century nears its end, a young musical virtuoso comes of age. John Field is able to hear notes in the air, and his family aspires for him to become the next Mozart. His talent takes him far - to England, France, and then Russia, where he becomes a famous pianist and composes dreamy melodies that enchant the night air. John calls them nocturnes, but the prodigy who immortalizes them is Chopin.Oceans away in Pondicherry, French India, Adelaide Percheron embarks on a startling rise of her own. Orphaned at a young age, she is raised by her enterprising grandmother. Without the luxury of riches, only marriage seems to offer prosperity - until she sets her sights on a pianoforte. Driven by her love of music, she engineers her exodus, escaping to Paris and later to Moscow, as Napoleon's army sets out to conquer the continent.Peopled by rival prodigies, irate tutors and begrudging guardians, Yiyun Li's magisterial novel depicts two aspiring musicians - destined to be husband and wife - in pursuit of success. As John and Adelaide each try to chart a path between talent and genius, profit and passion, they must decide what, and even who, is worth sacrificing along the way.Drawing inspiration from the past but finding entirely new forms, Music Against the Night is an exquisite, exhilarating epic from a writer at the height of her powers.
Music Against the Night features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Journeys and voyages, Biographical fiction / autobiographical fiction
Music Against the Night is available in Hardback, Paperback
Music Against the Night was written by Yiyun Li and published by 4th Estate an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Music Against the Night has 352 pages
£13.49