Chopin’s Last Manuscript
Chopin’s Last Manuscript tells the story of the famous Polish composer from the time he leaves Poland for a career in Vienna until the end of his life in Paris. The novel covers his self-imposed exile, his personal struggles, and his love affair with the Parisian author and republican George Sand. Kellam weaves in the backdrop of the failed Polish revolution, the Parisian salon scene, and Sand’s own involvement in revolutionary politics to tell a historically rich and sweeping story.
It is obvious that Kellam is a dedicated admirer of Chopin’s music, and her ability to evoke the feeling of playing or listening to his compositions is impressive. Including links to recordings was an interesting idea, connecting the reader to the Polish mazurkas and pieces dedicated to characters in the novel, though they begin to outpace the narrative. Kellam also adds chapters from the perspective of other characters which retell events without adding new information, giving the second half of the novel an unnecessary weight. Musicians and devoted fans of Chopin’s work will find much to love here.
