Book Review: The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu

Magic. Music. Mozart. You’ll find this and much more in The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu. Her new YA novel blends historical fiction and fantasy to create a truly captivating tale of a young girl’s desire to be remembered forever.

The Kingdom of Back is the story of Maria Anna (Nannerl) Mozart, the lesser known but equally talented older sister of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus (Woferl) Mozart. The story follows the Mozart siblings over the span of ten years as they perform together across Europe dazzling audiences with their musical talents. Nannerl yearns to compose her own music and play professionally separate from her brother. But in the face of an overbearing father and oppressive societal norms those ambitions are crushed. Until Nannerl meets Hyacinth, an enigmatic stranger from a magical place called Kingdom of Back, and he makes her a tempting offer to make her wish come true.

With very few historical details to draw from, Lu’s imagining of who Nannerl Mozart is feels raw, real, and authentic. Nannerl is a multifaceted and fascinating protagonist. She is a dutiful daughter, loving sister, musical prodigy, and ambitious young woman. It was easy for me to empathize with her character and be swept away on her musical journey.

The relationship between Nannerl and Woferl is one of the most compelling aspects of this novel. They have a remarkable bond rooted in love and adoration that is only deepened with their shared passion for music. It is Woferl who encourages Nannerl to begin composing music in secret. His steadfast belief and support of her talents is what keeps her going. As Woferl’s musical skills and popularity begin to surpass Nannerl’s, their relationship goes through periods of tension and resentment. Ultimately, their love and loyalty to each other is stronger than any of the hardships they endure.

The real Mozart siblings created an imaginary world called Kingdom of Back to amuse themselves during long travels. Marie Lu transforms this historical detail into a magical setting for her novel. She brilliantly brings this unusual world to life with striking imagery and evocative prose. It’s a place of juxtapositions. Magical but eerie, alluring yet ominous. What the fictional Mozart siblings experience in the Kingdom of Back and their connection to it, is a very integral part of Nannerl’s arc.

Final thoughts: The Kingdom of Back is a love letter to music, a heartfelt tribute to the real Nannerl Mozart, and an honest examination of what it means to leave behind a legacy.