Collection
Publication
Crown (2010), Edition: First Edition, 384 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: Dazzling, enchanting, and epic, The Bells is the confession of a thief, kidnapper, and unlikely lover�??a boy with the voice of an angel whose exquisite sense of hearing becomes both his life's tragic curse and its greatest blessing. Moses Froben was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps, the bastard son of a deaf-mute woman, banished to the church tower to ring the Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells in the land each day. His life is simple but content, until the day his father recognizes Moses' singular sense of hearing and its power to expose his sins. Cast into the world with only his ears to protect and guide him, Moses finds refuge in the choir of the historic Abbey of St. Gall and becomes its star singer, only to endure the horrifying act of castration, meant to preserve his angelic voice and turn him into a musico. In a letter to his son, Moses recounts his humble birth in 18th-century Switzerland and his life as a novice monk, and he tells of the two noble friends�??and a forbidden lover�??whom he cherished during the chaotic years he spent in Mozart's Vienna as apprentice to the great Gaetano Guadagni. But in this letter he also reveals the astonishing secrets of his past and answers the question that has shadowed his fame: How did Moses Froben, world-renowned musico, come to raise a son he could never have sired? Recounting his birth in the 1700s in a belfry high in the Alps, to his appearance on Europe's greatest stages, this epic novel is the story of the greatest ears on earth�??from a deaf mother's cries, to the beating of a forbidden lover's heart, to the arias of Vienna's greatest opera house, and the deadly booming of the world's loudest, most glorious… (more)
Media reviews
One of the most difficult feats Harvell accomplishes in "The Bells" is capturing the physical experience of music. It warms necks and backs, resonates in jaws and temples, and rings in chests and legs. Music fights with death, seduces a woman, guides a thief and ultimately triumphs in love.
User reviews
LibraryThing member msf59
“First there were the bells…”
Life didn’t look very promising, for young Moses Froben. The bastard son, of a strange deaf-mute woman, who’s sole occupation is to ring the “Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells” in the country. Moses was born in this belfry, high in the Swiss Alps and has
These gifts, set Moses on a journey, where he ends up living with monks and singing in choirs. It also introduces him to the horror of castration, used regularly in the 18th century to preserve an angelic voice.
I know very little about opera or the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but I was swept away with the beauty of this book. It’s a story about love, music and friendship but also contains the darker elements in life, like cruelty, envy and deception.
A very impressive first novel.
Life didn’t look very promising, for young Moses Froben. The bastard son, of a strange deaf-mute woman, who’s sole occupation is to ring the “Loudest and Most Beautiful Bells” in the country. Moses was born in this belfry, high in the Swiss Alps and has
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lived here in quiet solitude with his mother. The boy does possess an acute, almost unworldly sense of hearing and later on it’s discovered he also has a wonderful singing voice.These gifts, set Moses on a journey, where he ends up living with monks and singing in choirs. It also introduces him to the horror of castration, used regularly in the 18th century to preserve an angelic voice.
I know very little about opera or the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but I was swept away with the beauty of this book. It’s a story about love, music and friendship but also contains the darker elements in life, like cruelty, envy and deception.
A very impressive first novel.
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LibraryThing member katylit
This is the story of Moses, a boy living with his deaf mother high on a mountain in a church built specially to house beautiful bells that ring deafeningly throughout the valley below. The townspeople believe, that Moses is deaf, and simple-minded as well, living so close to these earsplitting
Moses is rescued by two kind monks and taken to their abbey where he learns to sing. He is blessed with a remarkable, beautiful voice and even though it is against the law, his choir master has him castrated to keep this voice forever.
The story follows his young life and the twists and turns that happen to him and I found myself rooting for him - "Go Moses!" I couldn't help but compare it to Patrick Suskind's Perfume with it's focus on a specific sense, hearing this time, instead of smell. But while Perfume revolted me at times with the perversion of the main character, The Bells was uplifting with the joy of music, how it brought tears to people's eyes and beauty to the world and Moses is very likeable.
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bells, but he isn't, in fact he has extraordinarily acute hearing and circumstances arise that lead him out into the world to make his own way.Moses is rescued by two kind monks and taken to their abbey where he learns to sing. He is blessed with a remarkable, beautiful voice and even though it is against the law, his choir master has him castrated to keep this voice forever.
The story follows his young life and the twists and turns that happen to him and I found myself rooting for him - "Go Moses!" I couldn't help but compare it to Patrick Suskind's Perfume with it's focus on a specific sense, hearing this time, instead of smell. But while Perfume revolted me at times with the perversion of the main character, The Bells was uplifting with the joy of music, how it brought tears to people's eyes and beauty to the world and Moses is very likeable.
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LibraryThing member elizabethcfelt
When I look at my copy of The Bells sitting in front of me, I cannot believe it lies there immobile and lifeless. The sounds and music within its pages should make the book throb and vibrate across the table. During the time I spent entranced with this story, my body rang like the bells within its
The Bells is a fictional autobiography, a letter written by a castrati father to his son, explaining how their relationship came to be. Moses Froben is born in a remote Swiss village to a deaf-mute woman who finds her one great pleasure (apart from her love for her son) in the vibrations she feels ringing the massive bells in her village's church. These bells are so loud that the villagers clamp their hands to their ears, but the sound has a different effect on Moses, giving him an almost magical ability to hear and dissect sounds, near and far. When the village priest (his father) discovers that Moses is not deaf like his mother, the man attempts to drown Moses in a river. Moses is rescued by traveling monks, Nicolai and Remus, and taken to the monastery at St. Gall. Here his angelic voice is discovered by the choir master and preserved for all time by a horrible act of castration.
Surprisingly, The Bells is a love story, for Moses falls in love with a woman who is forbidden to him. The Bells is also a mystery—for how can Moses, a castrati, a musico, be the father of the recipient of this novel-length letter? Finally, The Bells is music. Harvell's magical prose gives sound to Moses' life: the bells, the arias, and the uneven breath of true love.
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pages.The Bells is a fictional autobiography, a letter written by a castrati father to his son, explaining how their relationship came to be. Moses Froben is born in a remote Swiss village to a deaf-mute woman who finds her one great pleasure (apart from her love for her son) in the vibrations she feels ringing the massive bells in her village's church. These bells are so loud that the villagers clamp their hands to their ears, but the sound has a different effect on Moses, giving him an almost magical ability to hear and dissect sounds, near and far. When the village priest (his father) discovers that Moses is not deaf like his mother, the man attempts to drown Moses in a river. Moses is rescued by traveling monks, Nicolai and Remus, and taken to the monastery at St. Gall. Here his angelic voice is discovered by the choir master and preserved for all time by a horrible act of castration.
Surprisingly, The Bells is a love story, for Moses falls in love with a woman who is forbidden to him. The Bells is also a mystery—for how can Moses, a castrati, a musico, be the father of the recipient of this novel-length letter? Finally, The Bells is music. Harvell's magical prose gives sound to Moses' life: the bells, the arias, and the uneven breath of true love.
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LibraryThing member hollysing
“Such music! Opera! How could I waste a moment with a book!” says Nicolai, the protector of our hero.
How ironic. Although the writing is at times contrived, the power of visceral sound that reverberates from the pages of The Bells is astounding. If you are a lover of theatrics and sumptuous
Moses, the protagonist, is a singer whose unusual auditory gifts were sharpened by the resonance of church bells rung by his deaf mother. As a young boy, Moses gloried in the sensations and success of his singing, wanting to be like the beautiful music he sang, with no clue of the ramifications of that success. Forbidden romance, brilliant singing, conspiracy and the search for identity round out his life.
Author Richard Harvell, inspired by his wife’s singing, Swiss cowbells and a recording of Gregorian chant, dug his heels into extensive research of 18th century opera and church music. I compliment his use of cliffhangers and his phenomenal knowledge of acoustics and musicology. For my taste, however, he overdid the use of auditory stimulation in his writing.
This book is striking, horrifying, sensual and mesmerizing. If you enjoy melodrama, you will revel in The Bells.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
How ironic. Although the writing is at times contrived, the power of visceral sound that reverberates from the pages of The Bells is astounding. If you are a lover of theatrics and sumptuous
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opera, this book is for you. Overwrought with all of the excesses we revel in on the opera stage, this opera lover read the book more with my ears than my eyes.Moses, the protagonist, is a singer whose unusual auditory gifts were sharpened by the resonance of church bells rung by his deaf mother. As a young boy, Moses gloried in the sensations and success of his singing, wanting to be like the beautiful music he sang, with no clue of the ramifications of that success. Forbidden romance, brilliant singing, conspiracy and the search for identity round out his life.
Author Richard Harvell, inspired by his wife’s singing, Swiss cowbells and a recording of Gregorian chant, dug his heels into extensive research of 18th century opera and church music. I compliment his use of cliffhangers and his phenomenal knowledge of acoustics and musicology. For my taste, however, he overdid the use of auditory stimulation in his writing.
This book is striking, horrifying, sensual and mesmerizing. If you enjoy melodrama, you will revel in The Bells.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
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LibraryThing member Iudita
This story starts out with Moses Froben as a young child. Moses was born to a deaf woman who wrang the bells of a church in the Swiss Alps.When Moses becomes orphaned, he is rescued by two monks who take him to the abbey to live. It is here that they discover that Moses has an incredible voice and
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he is castrated in order to preserve his voice. When Moses grows up, he falls in love with a woman that he can never have, and his pursuit of this woman takes him to Vienna and to the world of the opera. I wasn't sure how I wanted to rate this book because I loved the first half but found the second half a bit boring. I thought the character of Moses did not develop when he grew to adulthood. Behaviour that was suitable for a child was not acceptable for the adult character. I found him foolish, rash and one dimensional and I started to lose interest in what became of him. Overall, it was a generally good story, but I think it could have been so much more than that with a little more character develpment in the main character. Show Less
LibraryThing member lkernagh
Harvell's debut novel is a beautiful, lyrical story set in 18th century Europe. Moses Froben, born to a mute deaf girl in a small village in the Swiss Alps, has been born with an extraordinary gift to discern sounds. His ears are immune to the deafening toll of the church bells his mother rings.
It quickly becomes apparent that music is the central theme of this story. Harvell draws upon the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" by the German composer Gluck to weave a tale of drama, romance, adventure, and passion from the remote Swiss Alps to the bustling centers of Vienna and Venice. The topic is an interesting one. A number of the famous male opera singers of the time period, including Gaetano Guadigni who is also featured in this story, were castrato singers.
I enjoyed this story. The practice of 'surgically' ensuring that a young male's singing voice remains pure, was interesting to read, and Harvell captured the sacrifice for music, in this case unwillingly, that this entailed. My only complaints about this story is the continual emphasis on the descriptions of sound - that got a little tiring - and that it stops at what would conceivably be the next stage of a fascinating journey through life.
Overall, a good historical novel for anyone with an interest in 18 century Europe, Viennese society of the time period, or has an interest in music in general and operas in particular.
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When tragedy strikes home, Moses flees the village and finds himself under the guardianship of two traveling monks, who take him home to the Abbey at St. Gills where his musical talents are discovered. It quickly becomes apparent that music is the central theme of this story. Harvell draws upon the opera "Orpheus and Eurydice" by the German composer Gluck to weave a tale of drama, romance, adventure, and passion from the remote Swiss Alps to the bustling centers of Vienna and Venice. The topic is an interesting one. A number of the famous male opera singers of the time period, including Gaetano Guadigni who is also featured in this story, were castrato singers.
I enjoyed this story. The practice of 'surgically' ensuring that a young male's singing voice remains pure, was interesting to read, and Harvell captured the sacrifice for music, in this case unwillingly, that this entailed. My only complaints about this story is the continual emphasis on the descriptions of sound - that got a little tiring - and that it stops at what would conceivably be the next stage of a fascinating journey through life.
Overall, a good historical novel for anyone with an interest in 18 century Europe, Viennese society of the time period, or has an interest in music in general and operas in particular.
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LibraryThing member degger
Good book. Had a hard time putting it down at times
LibraryThing member Dgmknzgrl
The Bells gave me the motivation to actually listen to things and try to truly 'hear' them like the character Moses. Though I enjoyed the lyrical descriptions of how he 'heard' things, after the 20th or so narration of Moses 'hearing 'another sound, it became a bit much. Other than that, I liked
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the characters and the story, though once Moses became friends with Amelia at the beginning of the book, the 'mystery' of the castrato's son that was mentioned on the back of the book became pretty obvious. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The Bells is one of those novels that starts out slowly, leaving the reader confused and uncertain about whether to continue, but soon builds to the point where the reader finds himself or herself obsessed with Moses' story. One quickly forgets that the narrator is really Moses' son reading a
This is one novel where reading it does not do Mr. Harvell's words justice. So much of the novel revolves around music, that one truly needs to experience the songs mentioned to get the scope of Moses' story. Just how high is he talking about when he talks about singing as a soprano? What song moves Moses to tears? Paul Michael Garcia actually sings while narrating. While he is no musico, his voice does provide the reader with a better understanding of what is being discussed in the novel and greater insight into Moses. It becomes a truly auditory experience that enhances one's enjoyment of the story.
So much of The Bells is spent discussing Moses' castration. The castration scene itself ranks up there among one of the most horrifying and sad scenes in literature, but it is how others treat Moses once his secret becomes known that really piques the reader's interest. I became so interested in the Castrati that I ended up doing my own Google search to find out more of what their life was like. What I found left me cringing and slightly sick to my stomach. This article by Tony Perrottet not only explained some of the more mysterious, and hinted-at points of the novel and also provides an audio of one of the last Castrato. It is haunting, disturbing, and makes Moses that much more real and sympathetic.
The Bells is not for everyone. It moves slowly at times, as Moses meanders his way to his point. Mr. Harvell's portrayal of the Church highlights its hypocrisy, and his descriptions of a musico's life, however accurate, are so unusual that it does take a strong leap of faith by the reader to overcome all stereotypes and preconceptions. Yet, if the reader takes the time to sit back and let the words swirl around one, The Bells plays out like a beautiful symphony, perfectly timed and so expressive it moves one to tears. It transcends any particular label and forces the reader to reconsider the true meaning of love. In a word, The Bells is simply stunning and worth the effort required to get into this unusual novel.
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letter from Moses and becomes immersed in Moses' plight, from his heart-wrenching beginnings to a thrilling climactic rescue mission. It is enough to leave the reader breathless.This is one novel where reading it does not do Mr. Harvell's words justice. So much of the novel revolves around music, that one truly needs to experience the songs mentioned to get the scope of Moses' story. Just how high is he talking about when he talks about singing as a soprano? What song moves Moses to tears? Paul Michael Garcia actually sings while narrating. While he is no musico, his voice does provide the reader with a better understanding of what is being discussed in the novel and greater insight into Moses. It becomes a truly auditory experience that enhances one's enjoyment of the story.
So much of The Bells is spent discussing Moses' castration. The castration scene itself ranks up there among one of the most horrifying and sad scenes in literature, but it is how others treat Moses once his secret becomes known that really piques the reader's interest. I became so interested in the Castrati that I ended up doing my own Google search to find out more of what their life was like. What I found left me cringing and slightly sick to my stomach. This article by Tony Perrottet not only explained some of the more mysterious, and hinted-at points of the novel and also provides an audio of one of the last Castrato. It is haunting, disturbing, and makes Moses that much more real and sympathetic.
The Bells is not for everyone. It moves slowly at times, as Moses meanders his way to his point. Mr. Harvell's portrayal of the Church highlights its hypocrisy, and his descriptions of a musico's life, however accurate, are so unusual that it does take a strong leap of faith by the reader to overcome all stereotypes and preconceptions. Yet, if the reader takes the time to sit back and let the words swirl around one, The Bells plays out like a beautiful symphony, perfectly timed and so expressive it moves one to tears. It transcends any particular label and forces the reader to reconsider the true meaning of love. In a word, The Bells is simply stunning and worth the effort required to get into this unusual novel.
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LibraryThing member alexann
The Bells has monasteries and monks, an orphan, grand music, and romance, requited and not. What's not to love? The boy's mother was the deaf and mute ringer of the loudest (and most terrible) bell in the world. His early years were spent with her in the bell tower where the clear tones of the
This reviewer captures perfectly how The Bells made me feel: "One of the most difficult feats Harvell accomplishes in "The Bells" is capturing the physical experience of music. It warms necks and backs, resonates in jaws and temples, and rings in chests and legs. Music fights with death, seduces a woman, guides a thief and ultimately triumphs in love"
The Washington Post, Nancy Robertson (Oct 9, 2010)
If music does this to you, give The Bells a try!
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bells filled his soul with music. After his mother died the boy ran for his life--which he almost lost in a river. Fortunately two monks happened by, pulled him from the river, named him Moses, and took him back to their monastery where they raised him like a son. Ranging from high in the Swiss Alps to the grand theater in Vienna, Harvell creates an 18th Century so filled with the sound of music (did I just say that?) that the reader almost can hear the soundtrack. Moses' voice was that of an angel, when the choir sings,the reader can almost feel it, and then there's the opera!This reviewer captures perfectly how The Bells made me feel: "One of the most difficult feats Harvell accomplishes in "The Bells" is capturing the physical experience of music. It warms necks and backs, resonates in jaws and temples, and rings in chests and legs. Music fights with death, seduces a woman, guides a thief and ultimately triumphs in love"
The Washington Post, Nancy Robertson (Oct 9, 2010)
If music does this to you, give The Bells a try!
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LibraryThing member refashionista
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated. The blurb on the back of the book made it sound a little kooky, but the story itself was engaging. I felt it ended too abruptly -- I would have liked to see the conclusion fleshed out a bit more instead of wrapped up with a "40 years later"
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round-up of characters. Overall, a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member jcwlib
In the past six months, books added to my TBR list have been influenced by the buzz I see on Twitter. The Bells is a perfect example of this situation. In turns out this book is also my book club pick for the upcoming year (we aren't officially reading/discussing till June).
I liked how the story
I did feel some of the "opportunities" that Moses got seemed a little unrealistic. Overall though I liked how the historical aspects of the book were interwoven into the fictional plot. In a way this book offers a view into the creative side of an opera that patrons of opera might not always see. Including a well-known composer - Christoph Gluck - within the story allowed the reader to see how a composer might interact with a singer or producer of an opera.
While there is some sensitive subject matter addressed within the book, I would recommend this book to singers and lovers of opera or even just readers who love a good romance story.
I liked how the story
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was told from Moses' perspective after he passed away via a letter to his son Nicolai. Without giving too much away, I really was hoping for more about Moses' career in Venice at the opera. As a singer myself, I found the description of how Moses felt went he sang -vibrations & making others vibrate/hum - very fascinating. Those passages made me go back and reread multiple times and try to imagine Moses' singing.I did feel some of the "opportunities" that Moses got seemed a little unrealistic. Overall though I liked how the historical aspects of the book were interwoven into the fictional plot. In a way this book offers a view into the creative side of an opera that patrons of opera might not always see. Including a well-known composer - Christoph Gluck - within the story allowed the reader to see how a composer might interact with a singer or producer of an opera.
While there is some sensitive subject matter addressed within the book, I would recommend this book to singers and lovers of opera or even just readers who love a good romance story.
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LibraryThing member vernefan
An Operatic Masterpiece
In a village hidden high atop a mountain in the Swiss Alps, a baby boy is born to the world of music by a mute mother who rings the town church bells. Born in the belfry to the ringing of these bells, this young boy learns his mother was raped by the parish priest; the very
Rescued and pulled from the waters below, the young boy is found by the waters edge amongst the reeds by two traveling monks who then christen him Moses. Bringing him back to their abbey as a foundling, Moses Froben spends the next ten years as a novice monk who is the bane of the abbot's existence, yet the beloved adopted son of Remus and Nicolai, the monks that saved his life and harbor a secret of their own.
Soon after his arrival to the abbey, Moses' keen hearing and ability to sing like an angel, catches the eye of the abbey's choir master who has other plans for this child protégé. Kidnapped one night as he lay sleeping, Moses is taken to the dungeons below the church and is horribly castrated for the purpose of becoming one of Switzerland's finest musicos, a soprano opera singer that will bring fame and fortune to those that train this heavenly voice to grace the grandest stages of Europe. Hiding his secret and shame from Nicolai and Remus, Moses has no choice but to follow the path his benefactors have laid out for him. Until one day when his fate changes paths and has him performing in a grand house for a dying mistress. Entrenched in this home for years to come, singing deathbed arias, Moses falls in love with the lady's daughter Amalia who becomes both his playmate and secret love.
When Nicolai and Remus learn of Moses' castration, and when Amalia's stern aunt flushes out their love affair, the story then unravels a tale of passion, pain, love and loss, followed by double acts of revenge that are enacted as tragic plays. Nicolai vows to avenge the deed that crippled Moses' life, and Moses himself hatches a plan to steal away his lady love!
This intricately crafted literary song of love is masterfully penned with such unbelievable beauty, readers will be easily enraptured and captivated by this magical fairytale of music. As Moses’ lungs release songs from his heart, as his heart shatters and breaks when time stands still, he undergoes many transitions of emotions that will rent the hearts of readers in two, and have their breath stopped in midair as they read each passage slowly, devouring every word hinged on love and pain until the grand finale of sacrifice and redemption comes full circle. But this is not just a story of love and loss. The author's writing resonates off each page with a glass shattering voice that blends humorous antics, endearing characters, action and adventure, mystery, romance, music and more.
Fantastico! Magnifico! Standing ovation needed for this brilliant debut from a new author that will surely be one to watch! This kind of literary talent will bring Harvell many awards and to the top of most noted best-seller lists. Bravo I say!
In a village hidden high atop a mountain in the Swiss Alps, a baby boy is born to the world of music by a mute mother who rings the town church bells. Born in the belfry to the ringing of these bells, this young boy learns his mother was raped by the parish priest; the very
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man who will throw this innocent boy, his bastard son, off a bridge above a raging river to wipe his crime from existence. Rescued and pulled from the waters below, the young boy is found by the waters edge amongst the reeds by two traveling monks who then christen him Moses. Bringing him back to their abbey as a foundling, Moses Froben spends the next ten years as a novice monk who is the bane of the abbot's existence, yet the beloved adopted son of Remus and Nicolai, the monks that saved his life and harbor a secret of their own.
Soon after his arrival to the abbey, Moses' keen hearing and ability to sing like an angel, catches the eye of the abbey's choir master who has other plans for this child protégé. Kidnapped one night as he lay sleeping, Moses is taken to the dungeons below the church and is horribly castrated for the purpose of becoming one of Switzerland's finest musicos, a soprano opera singer that will bring fame and fortune to those that train this heavenly voice to grace the grandest stages of Europe. Hiding his secret and shame from Nicolai and Remus, Moses has no choice but to follow the path his benefactors have laid out for him. Until one day when his fate changes paths and has him performing in a grand house for a dying mistress. Entrenched in this home for years to come, singing deathbed arias, Moses falls in love with the lady's daughter Amalia who becomes both his playmate and secret love.
When Nicolai and Remus learn of Moses' castration, and when Amalia's stern aunt flushes out their love affair, the story then unravels a tale of passion, pain, love and loss, followed by double acts of revenge that are enacted as tragic plays. Nicolai vows to avenge the deed that crippled Moses' life, and Moses himself hatches a plan to steal away his lady love!
This intricately crafted literary song of love is masterfully penned with such unbelievable beauty, readers will be easily enraptured and captivated by this magical fairytale of music. As Moses’ lungs release songs from his heart, as his heart shatters and breaks when time stands still, he undergoes many transitions of emotions that will rent the hearts of readers in two, and have their breath stopped in midair as they read each passage slowly, devouring every word hinged on love and pain until the grand finale of sacrifice and redemption comes full circle. But this is not just a story of love and loss. The author's writing resonates off each page with a glass shattering voice that blends humorous antics, endearing characters, action and adventure, mystery, romance, music and more.
Fantastico! Magnifico! Standing ovation needed for this brilliant debut from a new author that will surely be one to watch! This kind of literary talent will bring Harvell many awards and to the top of most noted best-seller lists. Bravo I say!
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LibraryThing member jtho
I *loved* this book and could barely put it down once I started reading it. There are some great villains, very unique motivations for characters in the story, and above all, Harvell creates a tale that emphasizes the beauty of friendship in many different ways.
In some ways, The Bells reminded me
Towards the end of the novel, I realized that the best way to categorize The Bells would be as a romance, but it isn't cheesy or overdramatic. The romance between Moses and the love of his life, Amelia, is important, but we also admire the romance between Moses and sound, and Moses and his unlikely but closest friends. I found there was a lot of suspense, as well, and very original good vs. evil plotlines.
In some ways, The Bells reminded me
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of Suskin's "Perfume." Moses, the protagonist, hears and experiences sound in a much deeper way than the rest of us. Harvell describes Moses's sense of hearing, and the minute sounds that he hears, in a detailed but beautiful way - the sounds really came alive for me. I experienced them with Moses, rather than just reading about his experience.Towards the end of the novel, I realized that the best way to categorize The Bells would be as a romance, but it isn't cheesy or overdramatic. The romance between Moses and the love of his life, Amelia, is important, but we also admire the romance between Moses and sound, and Moses and his unlikely but closest friends. I found there was a lot of suspense, as well, and very original good vs. evil plotlines.
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LibraryThing member astults
The celebrated opera singer Lo Svizzero was born in a belfry high in the Swiss Alps where his mother served as the keeper of the loudest and most beautiful bells in the land. Shaped by the bells' glorious music, as a boy he possessed an extraordinary gift for sound. But when his preternatural
Rescued from certain death by two traveling monks, he finds refuge at the vast and powerful Abbey of St. Gall. There, his ears lead him through the ancient stone hallways and past the monks' cells into the choir, where he aches to join the singers in their strange and enchanting song. Suddenly Moses knows his true gift, his purpose. Like his mother's bells, he rings with sound and soon, he becomes the protégé of the Abbey's brilliant yet repulsive choirmaster, Ulrich.
But it is this gift that will cause Moses' greatest misfortune: determined to preserve his brilliant pupil's voice, Ulrich has Moses castrated. Now a young man, he will forever sing with the exquisite voice of an angel-a musico-yet castration is an abomination in the Swiss Confederation, and so he must hide his shameful condition from his friends and even from the girl he has come to love. When his saviors are exiled and his beloved leaves St. Gall for an arranged marriage in Vienna, he decides he can deny the truth no longer and he follows her-to sumptuous Vienna, to the former monks who saved his life, to an apprenticeship at one of Europe's greatest theaters, and to the premiere of one of history's most beloved operas.
In this confessional letter to his son, Moses recounts how his gift for sound led him on an astonishing journey to Europe's celebrated opera houses and reveals the secret that has long shadowed his fame: How did Moses Froben, world renowned musico, come to raise a son who by all rights he never could have sired?
Harvell's prose is beautiful. It takes a few pages to get into the rhythm of his words but is worth the time. The detail helps transport the reader to a small village in the Alps as Moses tells the story of his life.
The synopsis provides a rough outline of the story but getting from Point A to Point Z is by turns heartbreaking and joyous. I wouldn't hesitate to read another novel by Harvell.
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hearing was discovered-along with its power to expose the sins of the church-young Moses Froben was cast out of his village with only his ears to guide him in a world fraught with danger.Rescued from certain death by two traveling monks, he finds refuge at the vast and powerful Abbey of St. Gall. There, his ears lead him through the ancient stone hallways and past the monks' cells into the choir, where he aches to join the singers in their strange and enchanting song. Suddenly Moses knows his true gift, his purpose. Like his mother's bells, he rings with sound and soon, he becomes the protégé of the Abbey's brilliant yet repulsive choirmaster, Ulrich.
But it is this gift that will cause Moses' greatest misfortune: determined to preserve his brilliant pupil's voice, Ulrich has Moses castrated. Now a young man, he will forever sing with the exquisite voice of an angel-a musico-yet castration is an abomination in the Swiss Confederation, and so he must hide his shameful condition from his friends and even from the girl he has come to love. When his saviors are exiled and his beloved leaves St. Gall for an arranged marriage in Vienna, he decides he can deny the truth no longer and he follows her-to sumptuous Vienna, to the former monks who saved his life, to an apprenticeship at one of Europe's greatest theaters, and to the premiere of one of history's most beloved operas.
In this confessional letter to his son, Moses recounts how his gift for sound led him on an astonishing journey to Europe's celebrated opera houses and reveals the secret that has long shadowed his fame: How did Moses Froben, world renowned musico, come to raise a son who by all rights he never could have sired?
Harvell's prose is beautiful. It takes a few pages to get into the rhythm of his words but is worth the time. The detail helps transport the reader to a small village in the Alps as Moses tells the story of his life.
The synopsis provides a rough outline of the story but getting from Point A to Point Z is by turns heartbreaking and joyous. I wouldn't hesitate to read another novel by Harvell.
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LibraryThing member MColbourne
The Bells is a wonderful example of historical fiction. It tells the story of a young orphan with an incredible ability to experience music and tone in an amazing manner. Recognizing his unique skill and passion for song, he is forcibly castrated in an effort to preserve his voice. His
I thoroughly enjoyed the story being told but felt it sometimes got lost in the overly-flowery language. The writing sometimes appeared repetitive and I found myself skipping over parts of the text. I do enjoy descriptive writing but I felt at times it was just too much.
It was a good book, however, and I would recommend it to others.
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relationships with two monks and a privileged young woman is examined in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the story being told but felt it sometimes got lost in the overly-flowery language. The writing sometimes appeared repetitive and I found myself skipping over parts of the text. I do enjoy descriptive writing but I felt at times it was just too much.
It was a good book, however, and I would recommend it to others.
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LibraryThing member ChrisLYF
Set in the eighteenth century, it is the tragic story of a man's survival and search for acceptance, love and happiness. Moses Froben is born to a deaf-mute mother and raised in the belfry of a small village in Switzerland where they were both shunned. His gift is an acute sense of hearing which
The author manages to capture the spirit of the characters and making their surroundings more vibrant and alive to the readers by conveying all the sounds. It is a very well written book and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
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could have also been his death if he was not rescued by two monks who took him under their wings and to their monastery. Because of his angelic voice, Moses is allowed to reside at the monastery and be part of the choir under the supervision of a creepy choir master who will set into motion his future as a musico.The author manages to capture the spirit of the characters and making their surroundings more vibrant and alive to the readers by conveying all the sounds. It is a very well written book and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
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LibraryThing member Tangle99
This was my first Early Reviewers book, so I was very excited to start it. I am a big fan of historical fiction and 18th century opera, so I should have loved this book. Unfortunately it just didn't grip me. The writing is technically very good, the dialogue is fresh and funny in parts but it just
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wasn't for me. I did feel as if the idea of an extraordinary sense has been done before, and to much better effect, by Patrick Suskind in Perfume. Show Less
LibraryThing member fmgee
The Bells tells the story of Moses, a boy born to a deaf-mute outcast in a small village in the Swiss alps. Moses's greatest attributes are his ears which allow him to hear increadably well and his voice which appears perfect and leads to his castration to preserve it.
What I liked about this book
What I liked about this book
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was the description of sound. Moses uses his ears more than his eyes to navigate through life and this continuously appears through the the book where places are described as much or more by sound then by what they look like. The book was an enjoyable read, I felt there were a couple of loose ends in the story toward the end of the book but they did not detract from the overall story. Show Less
LibraryThing member ShanLizLuv
"Of course, it is for love that opera lives, for which its temples are built in every city. And soon I was like those mobs of Italian men who go without supper for a week so they can afford a single ticket."
The Bells is one of the most beautifully written books I've read in a long time. While the
The Bells is one of the most beautifully written books I've read in a long time. While the
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plot tells the story of a young orphaned boy with a stunning voice forced into the life of the castrati, it is really an ode to music. Nothing I say could possibly do it justice....If you love wonderful books and transcendent music, do yourself a favor; dpon't let too much more time go by without reading The Bells (by Richard Harvell). Show Less
LibraryThing member nfmgirl2
Moses' mother grew up on the outskirts of the village, an outcast. Deaf from birth, she was presumed to be an idiot and insane. Filthy and unwashed, no one wanted her around, and they would beat her and chase her away. She had a baby, unnamed since she was unable to speak a name, but she was a good
Moses, born unnamed, does not acquire his name until later in life. He spends much of his childhood in a church belfry where his mother plays the bells. Due to her deafness, his mother can tolerate the sound of the bells, which is so loud that it will burst the ear drums of the rest of the villagers if they get too close. However, having been raised in the belfry, Moses is immune to the effects of the bells. Where his mother lived in a world of silence, Moses lives immersed in a world of sound.
There is an innocence to Moses-- a purity. Moses loses his mother and is taken in at a monastery as a young boy. The monastery is run by an abbot by the name of Staudach. A stern disciplinarian, his heart is usually in the right place, but often he goes about it the wrong way.
Moses' best friends are two monks. Nicolai is a large light-hearted, generally jovial monk who has a liking for wine (think “Friar Tuck” from Robin Hood), but he can be fierce and forthright when he feels pushed to it. Nicolai becomes something of a father to Moses, and even gives him his name.
Nicolai's best friend is Remus- a bookish monk who is a quiet loner. A peaceful man, he boasts a hidden strength.
Moses is given into the care of choir leader Uhlrich, the creepy old man of the story. Even though his “lust” for Moses seems to be musical rather than sexual (as he instead lusts after the voice of Moses), he is a creepy, lascivious old man.
While at the monastery, Moses meets and befriends Amalia, daughter of the town's wealthiest family. Spirited and spunky, passionate and idealistic, early on in their relationship, Amalia keeps Moses guessing, never quite sure where he stands with her.
This was a very moving story. I often found myself moved to tears, distraught and frustrated. Unfortunately there weren’t many happy moments to make me smile and fill me with joy, as much of the book was quite tragic, but it was moving nonetheless.
Lovely prose and lyrical descriptions, yet totally "approachable" writing style. A captivating story, fully-fleshed out characters, and unusual subject matter carried me through to the end. Strongly recommended!
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mother and did her best by him as they scavenged for their survival, and she raised Moses in the belfry with the church bells. She loved the bells, the vibrational tones of which caressed her body in a hug when no one else would.Moses, born unnamed, does not acquire his name until later in life. He spends much of his childhood in a church belfry where his mother plays the bells. Due to her deafness, his mother can tolerate the sound of the bells, which is so loud that it will burst the ear drums of the rest of the villagers if they get too close. However, having been raised in the belfry, Moses is immune to the effects of the bells. Where his mother lived in a world of silence, Moses lives immersed in a world of sound.
There is an innocence to Moses-- a purity. Moses loses his mother and is taken in at a monastery as a young boy. The monastery is run by an abbot by the name of Staudach. A stern disciplinarian, his heart is usually in the right place, but often he goes about it the wrong way.
Moses' best friends are two monks. Nicolai is a large light-hearted, generally jovial monk who has a liking for wine (think “Friar Tuck” from Robin Hood), but he can be fierce and forthright when he feels pushed to it. Nicolai becomes something of a father to Moses, and even gives him his name.
Nicolai's best friend is Remus- a bookish monk who is a quiet loner. A peaceful man, he boasts a hidden strength.
Moses is given into the care of choir leader Uhlrich, the creepy old man of the story. Even though his “lust” for Moses seems to be musical rather than sexual (as he instead lusts after the voice of Moses), he is a creepy, lascivious old man.
While at the monastery, Moses meets and befriends Amalia, daughter of the town's wealthiest family. Spirited and spunky, passionate and idealistic, early on in their relationship, Amalia keeps Moses guessing, never quite sure where he stands with her.
This was a very moving story. I often found myself moved to tears, distraught and frustrated. Unfortunately there weren’t many happy moments to make me smile and fill me with joy, as much of the book was quite tragic, but it was moving nonetheless.
Lovely prose and lyrical descriptions, yet totally "approachable" writing style. A captivating story, fully-fleshed out characters, and unusual subject matter carried me through to the end. Strongly recommended!
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LibraryThing member waupoos
A historical fiction dream..well written, a diamond worth reading.
Born in a belfry to a deaf /mute mother, his priest father tries to kill him at an early age, he is rescued by two monks, brought to their abby and soon is taught to sing.So begins the life of Moses Froben destined to raise a son not
Born in a belfry to a deaf /mute mother, his priest father tries to kill him at an early age, he is rescued by two monks, brought to their abby and soon is taught to sing.So begins the life of Moses Froben destined to raise a son not
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his own, and become a world famous opera singer in Europe of the late 1700's.Great historic research, a love story which breaks your heart, then restores it. Show Less
LibraryThing member karinatrandom
Loved this book! I love the historical fiction, the music, and the story line. The characters are well-developed and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes Sarah Dunant's work.
LibraryThing member decaturmamaof2
Am at about chapter 5 - so far very absorbing!!
(UPDATE: I really liked this book - very different from most novels I've read recently)
(UPDATE: I really liked this book - very different from most novels I've read recently)
LibraryThing member MaureenCean
I've had this one for a while and never heard the call to read it until I needed to read a book of historical fiction set before 1900 for my Book Riot Harder Challenge and (gasp!) I had managed to make it through 9 months of this year without having done that yet. Or if I did it was for another
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category of the challenge. How fortunate I hadn't. This is truly a lovely book, unusual in its topic IMHO, and lyric in its prose with sound becoming something that is so very corporeal, experienced in every cell of of the body. It is a retelling of the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice, with a cast of characters that is classic, and themes that resonate through to modern day. Not to be missed. Show Less
Awards
VCU Cabell First Novelist Award (Winner — Finalist — 2011)
Historical Novel Society Editors' Choice (Literary)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010
DDC/MDS
| 813.6 |
ISBN
0307590526 / 9780307590527