Having recently read The Towers of Tuscany I went on a search for other books by the same author and I discovered this one. I was not disappointed. This book is set in the 1800's when Vienna reigned supreme for musical genius. The protagonist, Isabette is a strong woman who is a gifted virtuoso but not the most attractive of women. The story is set in a time where a woman's goal was to find a husband to care for her. Careers were not for the softer sex. Isabette forged her career in spite of manipulation. She found friendship, love, betrayal and a deeper understanding of herself. Fabulous story. ( )

A Woman of Note by Carol M. Cram is a historical novel set from 1827 through the 1830’s. Isabette Gruber is a pianist in Vienna. Isabette is nineteen years old, very shy, and seriously lacking social skills (she is also tall and thin). Her father (who taught her and her sister, Joanna to play and compose) passed away. Her sister, Joanna has been committed to the asylum by their mother, Frau Marta Gruber. Isabette is the sole bread winner. Marta Gruber has hired Herr Gustav Dietrich (nasty lech) to manage Isabette’s career. He takes 30% (I have a feeling he helps himself to a little more than that) off the top of her earnings. Isabette’s mother takes the rest of her money. They keep her busy practicing and discourage her from composing (which she loves to do).

One night Isabette meets Amelia Mason from Boston, Massachusetts. She has a beautiful singing voice. Amelia decides she wants Isabette to be her accompanist. Amelia is a flighty young girl (eighteen) who is more interested in shopping and having fun. Amelia is a young lady who likes to have her own way. Through Amelia, Isabette meets Josef Hauser. Josef is a piano teacher and believes himself to be a great composer (he is awful). In exchange for teaching Isabette, Josef gets Isabette to agree to play his compositions at her performances. Isabette takes it upon herself to chance Josef’s composition (which makes it much better). Josef is upset until he finds out that someone wants to publish it. Everyone wants something from Isabette. What does Isabette really want?

A Woman of Note takes us through about ten years of Isabette’s life. We get to travel from Vienna to Paris. I found A Woman of Note to be a very boring novel. It had no depth or enjoyment. The characters were all shallow and greedy (except Isabette). The mother was cruel, Amelia was selfish, Josef was selfish, grasping, and covetous, Herr Dietrich was a nasty, greedy reprobate. This novel needed more work especially on the development of the characters. I give A Woman of Note 2 out of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of A Woman of Note from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own. ( )