Cry to Heaven was the second Anne Rice novel I ever read. The subject matter is intense (sometimes graphic) from PAGE ONE; yet too fascinating to put down! What I did NOT now until way after the fact, is Anne's work in this well written book is historically correct and highly researched. Among other things, Cry to Heaven is a story of life-long revenge! It's steeped in rich historicity of 18th Century Opera, the Church, the history of the "Castrati" -- and some other sexuality explicit, yet apparently accurate, goings-on of the Church at that time. "Italian Opera had conquered the world. But it was the Soprano singer the world worshiped." Bam! I NEVER in a million years would've guessed such abominable practices went on at that time; alas, it's heartbreakingly true. Young boys were forcibly castrated to prevent the pre-puberty change in voice and keep their voices soprano alto high so they could sing in the choir...and the Operas of the day supported this venue.It's a story about great contrasts in life: Love vs Revenge, internal struggles with Right & Wrong, sexual awakening & the desire to be loved and find peace in your skin where you stand, confusion vs ambition...there are so many threads in this book that for me, while deeply interesting, the read at times seemed too long. Now that I've had several years & a few casual re-reads of the book, I think there can be a modern day correlation: The desire for fame & becoming an music "Idol" revered by the masses comes at a HIGH price many are not willing to pay. It's a bitter-sweet story. *The Church states it never "officially" sanctioned the Castrati. However, it happened. I never would have chosen this book on my own had it not been recommended by a dear friend. Once I got into it...it was like a train wreck (in a good way) & I couldn't put it down. Again, Anne Rice amazes me with her rich descriptions of...anything! Anne Rice verbally paints vivid, realistic feeling prose so that you imagine you're there. I could have done without some of the sexual content, but seriously, HOW can you relate to a cast of characters who are struggling with what they have become and HOW they find intimacy without "going there?"It's was their life; in the story & apparently in real-life history, too. Describing sexuality in the face of castration, the Church, the Opera, Aristocracy, fame & fortune, AND tremendous heartache...seems the natural way to go to help you bond with and/or root for a character. It defines the people and further defines "their times."*A Bio of almost any modern day rock star an be far more tawdry. Since my first read of Cry to Heaven, I've seen some good & some horrible reviews. IF you are closed minded, prude, homophobic, or hate history & the Arts, this is not the historical tale for you. Conversely, if you're new to Anne Rice, enjoy music history, descriptive details about life in the 1700s, are compassionate, and have the time to dedicate to a long, concentrated read -- I'd say it's a Good Read. ===Note: A review is not an endorsement of any sort of lifestyle choice, religious affirmation, not a discrimination or exaltation of one view over another. It's simply an opinion and they all vary from person to person.===I enjoyed recalling the memories of a book I read at a very good time in my life, recommended by a dear friend. Just talking about it was cathartic.My description is intentionally vague. I've noticed that some reviews are quite the spoiler, almost like Cliff Notes. I see no need to re-write a book someone else has not even read yet.
This started out beautifully. The characters were intriguing, and I found myself worrying about Guido and rooting for Tonio. The writing was gorgeous and the setting was phenomenal.And then about two hundred pages in it turned into a very flat soap-opera. Tonio became very flat. He sleeps around and swears he loves who he sleeps with until their gone. Then he can't stand them. He seems to also have a weird abusive thing going on, where he wants to hurt the people he supposedly loves. Guido turned into a rather annoying man with a bit of a complex. And it just became two hundred pages of gay sex and Tonio refusing to sing, despite the fact that he wants to. The problem is, there's only so many passages of Tonio singing that you can read before it turns into the same old thing. It's hard to read about singing, when you can't hear the voice. And it was far too repetitive. Tonio wants to be a singer, but won't sing this part or that part, so Guido tricks him into doing it and then Tonio hates him for a while, until he sings and then he loves Guido for it and they have sex. Repeat. The main reason for Tonio becoming an eunuch - the betrayal of his brother/father - was completely forgotten for a long time, and when it was brought up, it was just sort of there. It was supposed to seem important, but it never did. I ended up skipping two hundred pages and reading the last part just to see if Tonio ever did get his revenge.Also, the dialogue was all awful. It was so unrealistic. So many men - even if they are eunuchs - professing their love for each other and lusting after each other... It was just unrealistic. Especially considering everyone was in love with Tonio, despite the fact that he was a spoiled brat - while still somehow being perfect (rich, educated, beautiful voice, attractive, skilled fencer, etc). He started out as a very kind, sweet young man, which I understood why people adored him. But he really did turn into a brat. (Guido does the same to some extent).I almost made it to page 400, but I just couldn't take it anymore. It breaks my heart to give up on it, since I so enjoyed the beginning and I've loved a lot of Rice's other novels (Interview with a Vampire, and The Mummy), but I was forcing myself to read it and groaning the whole time. Sorry, Rice. I will still attempt some of her other books, but I'm more cautious now. (Even Angel Time was an easier read than this, but that wasn't nearly 600 pages of singing.)
What do You think about Cry To Heaven (1995)?
rating: 4/5Marc Antonio “Tonio” Treschi, a son of a Councillor of Venice in the 18th century, leads a life of comfort while minding his tutors and taking care of his mother who seemes to suffer from depression. However, as he grows up he uncovers family secrets that veer his destiny from following his father’s footsteps into a world both amazing and terrifying, and resembling nothing of the future he had imagined; a world that could build him up or destroy him, a world where his path merges with Guido Maffeo, a castrato who lost his voice years ago and places his hopes and dreams into the hands of others.This is a hard book to review. I have read many of Rice’s vampire books about 10 to 15 years ago and loved them. Here her writing isn’t as refined (or maybe I just have years more experience reading and writing and it never was as refined as it seemed back in high school/college). Honestly, the first 100 pages bored (even annoyed) me; many were long winded descriptions that felt uninspired. What kept me going were the flashes of great potential brewing within her characters. And on that account she doesn’t disappoint. The more that was revealed about Tonio and Guido, the more I fell in love with them. Their fears and dreams, defeats and successes are brilliantly interwoven into their developing personalities. The drama of their lives evolves in bits and pieces and we don’t see the entire picture until the very end. And what an ending! In contrast to the shaky and bland start, the ending was so wonderfully brilliant it made reading the novel (and struggling through the rough parts) completely worth it. Overall, an amazing story with memorable leading characters (and some memorable secondary characters) and a great plot although it could have been 100 pages shorter and the novel wouldn’t have suffered for it. Just have patience at the beginning (skip some pages if you must) for a heart wrenching, bittersweet payoff.
—Alicja
Ho hum. I read this book because I like historical fiction and opera, so I thought it would be right up my alley. I was wrong. In reading this book, I was reminded of why I did not make it far in trying to read any of The Vampire Chronicles. Characters are one-dimensional and unsympathetic, prose is corny, and the book is way too long. The main character, Tonio, goes through a horrific ordeal that truly changes the trajectory of his life, so I should be sympathetic, but I wasn't. I am no prude, but it got to the point that whenever he met a new character, the only question was how soon will they be in bed together, because he is just so darn beautiful and totally irresistible. I just didn't really care about the characters, and even though I managed to finish it, I just skimmed through the last 50 pages just to see how it ended. It was a real slog for me, but maybe Anne Rice fans would like it.
—Pamela
Cry to Heaven is a gem! I couldn't believe that this subject would interest me in the way that it did. Although I read Rice's early works, I soon grew tired of the Vampire series. I wasn't going to give her another chance until my niece swore to me that I'd enjoy this book. She said it was one of her favorite books! I read it to be more "connected" to her. What a great decision. I flew through the book! It is amazing. What a story. I passed it on to my husband and he, too, was riveted. It is more than just a story - it teaches of an era - a sociological phenomenon, if you will - that not only has passed, but one that didn't really reach American shores. It is a rare world, for sure, for Americans. In this way alone, the book was refreshingly original!
—Nirmala mcafee
