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The True Adventures Of Nicolo Zen (2014)

by Nicholas Christopher(Favorite Author)

3.44 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0375867384 (ISBN13: 9780375867385)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

review 1: A young teen is orphaned by a malaria epidemic that strikes his small island near Venice. He is 14, homeless and penniless, but he does have his precious clarinet, which is a little-known, new instrument that he can play with astonishing skill. Feeling that music is his only future, Nicolo disguises himself as a girl in order to be accepted to the orchestra that is run by Master Antonio Vivaldi and whose members are all orphan girls from the Ospedale della Pieta. Quite soon, however, his disguise is penetrated and he finds himself fleeing for his life after stumbling upon corruption at the very heart of the Ospedale. He discovers that his talent for the clarinet is actually not natural, that the instrument has been spelled by the magician Massimo. This begins a series... more of adventures that lead him to Vienna and back, into incredible wealth and fame. This odd story may appeal to some teens but it gets a little boring in places (musically trained readers may find the lists of pieces that Nicolo learns interesting but the average teen will skim this) and the ending falls a little flat. Some magical realism, some romance, and an atmospheric Venice of the 1700s do help to make the story more interesting, but overall, the rather stiff writing just doesn't shine. Upper junior high, high school, adult.
review 2: This story is the perfect blend of magic and historical intrigue. Young destitute Nicolo Zen and his clarinet are on the streets playing to survive when he gets it into his head to try out for a very prestigious orchestra, one made up entirely of young girls. To do so Nicolo becomes Nicola and his talent soon becomes legendary. When the girls begin missing and Nicola becomes one of the next victims, the secret is out and he is cast from Master Vivaldi's special orchestra. Back again on the streets with only his clarinet, he finds a friend in his father's cousin who is a famed magician. Once Nicolo learns of the secret behind his talent he agrees to help the magician so that the magician can help him find the missing girls. Years go by and Nicolo becomes well known not only in Venice but in Vienna. It is an interesting mystery and good combination of musical history, mystery and love. Found in the young adult section but this will appeal to adults as well. less

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