The Woman in the Moonlight

by Patricia Morrisroe

The Woman in the Moonlight is a beautifully written novel set in Vienna in the early 1800s.

Eighteen-year-old Julie Guicciardi begins taking piano lessons with Ludwig van Beethoven and quickly becomes enamoured with him. He is drawn to her too, but circumstances prevent them from marrying.

Julie is encouraged to marry someone else. However, her husband is unable to give her children so substitute sperm donors (for want of better words) are arranged. The first against Julie’s will, which turned my stomach. I can’t even imagine! The things that went on behind closed doors back in those days are quite shocking, especially within supposedly well-to-do households. The man who eventually fathers her children is much less heinous, and Julie grows to love him although they could never be together. She made a promise to his wife. His wife who arranged for her to have his child as she was unable to do so. Honestly, it seems that it was all going on back then!

Anyway, the story centres around Beethoven, his troubles, and Julie’s unending love for him. How she keeps finding her way back to him, whatever else is going on her life. Goodness knows why really as he isn’t very nice to her for the most part, but he captivates her, and she can’t help her affection for him. And I think he loved her in his own way.

Based on the true events of Beethoven’s life, I found this story compelling. I didn’t know much about him previously. He is a fascinating if not entirely likable man who struggled in his later years having to face going deaf. Particularly devastating for a musician.

It is an unlikely love story. One that certainly endures. I really enjoyed it.

A stirring and romantic historical novel about nineteenth-century Vienna and the tragedy and dynamic passion that inspired Ludwig van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

Vienna, 1800. Countess Julie Guicciardi’s life is about to change forever. The spirited eighteen-year-old is taking piano lessons with Ludwig van Beethoven, the most talented piano virtuoso in the musical capital of Europe. She is captivated by his volatile genius, while he is drawn to her curiosity and disarming candor. Between them, a unique romance. But Beethoven has a secret he’s yet to share, and Julie is harboring a secret of her own, one so scandalous it could destroy their perfect love story.

When Beethoven discovers the truth, he sets his emotions to music, composing a mournful opus that will become the Moonlight Sonata. The haunting refrain will follow Julie for the rest of her life.

Set against the rich backdrop of nineteenth-century Vienna, The Woman in the Moonlight is an exhilarating ode to eternal passion. An epic tale of love, loss, rivalry, and political intrigue. A stirring portrait of a titan who wrestled with the gods and a woman who defied convention to inspire him.