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About this item
Highlights
- "Haunting.
- About the Author: Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance.
- 384 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
Concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's life is interrupted when she assumes responsibility for a patient at Hurstwell Asylum--a woman the asylum claims never existed. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar, compelling Vivienne to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.Book Synopsis
"Haunting. Riveting. Filled with hope."--Michelle Griep, author of Lost in DarknessWhen concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.
The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.
But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?
Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.
"Darkly premised and brilliantly presented. The Lost Melody serves a pitch-perfect blend of history, romance, mystery, and faith."--Booklist starred review
From the Back Cover
"Haunting. Riveting. Filled with hope."--Michelle Griep, author of Lost in DarknessWhen concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.
The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.
But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?
Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.
About the Author
Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her online at www.jdpstories.com.Dimensions (Overall): 8.5 Inches (H) x 5.6 Inches (W) x 1.1 Inches (D)
Weight: .88 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 384
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Christian
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
Format: Paperback
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Language: English
Street Date: October 4, 2022
TCIN: 86246500
UPC: 9780800736910
Item Number (DPCI): 247-05-2666
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.1 inches length x 5.6 inches width x 8.5 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.88 pounds
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4.7 out of 5 stars with 11 reviews
100% would recommend
8 recommendations
Compelling
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Suspenseful - 3 years ago
After Vivienne Mourdant’s Father dies she feels a sense of freedom. Unfortunately, that reality doesn’t last long. She learns her father had a ward at Hurstwell Asylum but when she goes to investigate the matter, Vivienne finds herself trapped at the Asylum as a patient. Hearing mysterious music no one else hears, makes her question whether she is indeed insane. So, she makes it her mission to solve the source of the melody. The author writes so beautifully, everything she includes has a purpose to the details of the story. And her plot is complex, unraveling in unexpected ways. The theme of music is woven throughout the narrative. For example, in her descriptions of the doctor in the asylum, she uses music analogies to describe how he walks and talks. Vivienne is a strong character; one that doesn’t give up but perseveres regardless of the outcome. She is also patient and compassionate, treating the other patients with kindness and decency. However, not all her attributes are positive making her real and relatable. The reality of living (as well as the circumstances leading to being admitted) in an asylum in the late 1800’s is depicted with candor, making the story dark. And with the vivid explanations of the author, the reader is left unsettled at times and yet, compelled at the same time to keep reading. Joanna Davidson Politano is a brilliant storyteller. I would highly recommend reading this historical fiction.
Haunting, Yet Full of Hope and Light
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
BlessednBookish - 3 years ago
The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano is a poetic symphony for the senses. The author walks you through the horrific hallways of darkness while urging you to search for the light. Vivienne’s tale is horrifying–the line between madness and sanity blurred beyond recognition. I can’t count the times, the hairs on my arm stood on end as I followed Vivienne into the shadows. She is amazingly resilient, courageous, and steadfast in her faith. She’s no stranger to the dark, and you will be entranced by how she fights against it with her light. While this story is not an easy read, it is an intoxicating one. I was immediately drawn into Vivienne’s plight and could hardly put the book down for want of knowing the end. I would highly recommend this story for any historical fiction/romance fans, especially those who love the Victorian age. I’ve read other stories of asylums during this time, and this one, in particular, is both fascinating and terrifying in revealing how these types of institutions used to function and how easy it was for a person to disappear forever. I always enjoy watching characters mature spiritually on their journeys (that’s why I read Christian fiction), but I especially loved the spiritual arc in Vivienne’s story. It was a tough and beautiful reminder to truly surrender ourselves to our Creator and to follow His music instead of trying to compose our own. I received a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Mesmerizing!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connie Saunders - 3 years ago
'One day in late May of 1886, I found myself imprisoned in the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum. This was unconscionable---I had never been a pauper.' This story isn't always pleasant but it's one that I couldn't put down. Author Joanna Davidson Politano delves into asylums during the Victorian England era and it's a tale of a young concert pianist enduring the dark side of these institutions. Politano shares Vivienne's pain of never having parental love and the agony of being forced to live in an asylum because of a clause in her father's will. Some of her treatment is harsh and unnerving and Vivienne is even deprived of her beloved music! And then, in her darkest times, a glimmer of light and hope is returned to her! So many emotions are explored in this poignant tale and it's apparent that the author devoted many hours to researching the subject of mental health treatment during this period. Politano shares some of her findings in her Author's Notes and they add even more depth to this story. I was especially intrigued by the use of musical therapy for these patients! The Lost Melody wasn't easy for me to read but I am so glad I had the chance! I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Txjessy1@gmail.com
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Jessy - 3 years ago
Haunting. Suspenseful. Gothic. Maybe not a psychotic suspense, but a psychotic mystery, played in minor keys that tug at your soul. She captures the definition of melancholy in the characters in words that I, who's suffered depression, could never pen. But Joanna gave voice to my pain. Saw the brokenness people suffer and gave hope in the darkness. Not just to her characters trapped in her novel's asylum but to me, the reader. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put the book down. Vivienne, the pianist, tried to escape the Asylum where they attempted to strip her identity. I cried, cheered, and giggled with some of the older ladies I learned to love in this book because they became real to me. This novel leaves you hearing the echo of its beautiful chords for days. Five stars all the way!!
Beautiful
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Mel Andres - 3 years ago
The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano is one of those stories that tears into your heart and just embeds itself there. It's a beautiful tale of one of life's most tragic and darkest places, yet it's filled with love and light and music. It's 1886 and renowned concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant learns upon her father's death that he had a ward, Rose, at the Hurstwell Pauper Lunatic Asylum. When the people in charge deny that Rose exists, she decides to go undercover in search of her. When Vivienne finds herself a patient at the asylum, she seeks the help of a doctor and fellow patients to uncover the truth behind Hurstwell. This is such a deep, well told story! I highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tuned to Perfection! An Extraordinary Story!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Rebecca Maney - 3 years ago
"God sends you somewhere that makes no sense, because he alone knows what you will find." - Vivienne Mourdant Following the death of her overbearing father, concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant learns that she is responsible for an unbeknownst ward, a patient whom Hurstwell Asylum insists was never there. Eager to follow her own path forward for the first time, Vivienne is severely tempted to ignore the nudge of a virtual stranger to use her gift of music as a "light. . . taken into the utmost darkness . .". Coupled with a suspicion that an unknown melody from her childhood, played late at night by a mysterious memory of a woman, might be the person she is now responsible for, Vivienne dips her toes into a world beyond normalcy, falling head first into an abyss, a prison from which she fears that she will never return. Where is the music now? "Mitchell (Dr. Mitchell Turner) saw traces of their Creator wrapped up in each intricately designed patient, and he had the intense feeling that locking them up deprived this asylum - the world at large - of the blessing of them." What was it about the beautiful woman with an abundance of auburn hair that made Mitchell feel as if light could penetrate the darkness of his soul, his guilt, this place? She heard music, she felt music, she could even play music without any instrument, and she was trying to convince him that she didn't belong behind walls. He was tempted to believe her, until she was sorely provoked and demonstrated a remarkable semblance to madness. Still . . .. she gave him hope. Have you ever considered how much darkness it takes to extinguish the light? Total. Interestingly, how much light does it take to dispel the darkness? A remarkably small amount. This extraordinary story demonstrates the power that light welds over darkness through a means by which few would expect, proving that "made in the image of God" applies to everyone, and the gift of music grants us a melodious lens through which the "light of the world" shines eternal. Listen carefully, my friends.
Good read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Thoughtsofareader - 3 years ago
I have read several of this author’s books and I have enjoyed each one. This book has a haunting sadness to it. There is also an element of mystery to the plot that grabs you into the story. The novel mainly takes place at Hurstwell Asylum which unfortunately does not have the most sympathetic of staff with one exception. Dr. Mitchell Turner is so kind and has a heart to want to help the patients. He represented hope and light in an otherwise dark place. This book is a historical novel which is set in a time when mental illness was not treated kindly by most. The author definitely shows that side of society. It is also categorized as a romance but it’s definitely not your typical romance novel. I recommend this book to those who want an out of the box romance with an excellent human element to it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
Recommended
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
ChritianFictionandMore - 3 years ago
I have a lot of mixed emotions about this book. The writing itself is beautiful as Politano's writing always is. The subject matter is depressing in many ways as one would expect of a story set in a Victorian era asylum. The injustices bring forth great angst. Politano is a masterful storyteller who pulls deep emotions from her readers. Yet, this story did seem to have an exceptionally slow pace, dragging just a bit. I am glad that I did not let my impatience get the better of me, for the ending was truly worth waiting for. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Lost Melody from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.