The Kingdom of Back

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu is a historical fantasy novel that reimagines the life of Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart, the often-overshadowed elder sister of the renowned Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [1, 2, 4, 7, 11]. Set in the 18th century, the story follows Nannerl and her younger brother, Wolfgang (affectionately known as Woferl), as they travel across Europe performing for royalty and dazzling audiences with their musical talents [1, 6]. Nannerl, a gifted musician and composer in her own right, faces the severe societal constraints of her time, which dictate that women are forbidden from pursuing professional musical careers and are expected to marry and cease performing [2, 6, 9, 12]. Her deep longing to be remembered for her own creative achievements becomes increasingly urgent as her brother's prodigious talent begins to eclipse her own, making her feel destined for obscurity [7, 8]. Nannerl's quest for lasting recognition takes a fantastical turn when a mysterious faerie princeling named Hyacinth emerges from the "Kingdom of Back," a magical realm the Mozart siblings conjured in their imaginations during their travels [1, 2, 3, 6]. Hyacinth offers to fulfill Nannerl's wish to be remembered forever in exchange for her completing three perilous tasks within this enchanted, dreamlike world that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy [2, 3, 7]. As Nannerl embarks on these dangerous quests, she starts to question the princeling's true intentions and the escalating cost of his assistance, especially as Woferl's well-being appears to be affected [6, 10]. The novel is compelling for its poignant exploration of themes such as legacy, ambition, the limitations imposed by gender roles in history, and the profound bond between siblings, all rendered with Lu's signature lyrical prose and vivid imagery [4, 5, 7, 8, 9]. It offers a unique perspective on a forgotten historical figure and delves into the universal desire for lasting impact and recognition, making it a thought-provoking and enchanting read [5, 7, 10].

Store Availability