An ungrateful instrument by Michael Meehan

Exquisite, like the music wrought from a precious musical instrument, Meehan’s latest book is rich in melodic language, telling the story of the acclaimed musicians, the Forquerays father and son, in the time of Louis XIV in Paris, France.

The story is recounted by Charlotte-Elisabeth the mute sister of Jean-Baptiste, a child prodigy cruelly and brutally forced by his father Antoine to be his successor as the most acclaimed violist of the royal court. He is a child compelled to play the music of his father, music never written down; constrained to be the unique perpetuator of those original compositions. Jean-Baptiste’s sole existence is to be the ongoing voice, the instrument, for his father’s music.

Voice is a recurring theme of the novel: Charlotte-Elisabeth is mute from the age of seven, in stubborn defiance of her father’s demands. She draws out the unsaid words of the other characters, the secret cache of hidden passions, as she narrates their story. She is one of a number of women who find a different way to resist the stifling oppression of men.

Other interweaving chapters detail the meticulous hand-crafting of an absolutely beautiful viola by an ancient craftsman who has gathered precious pieces of timber throughout his life. The viola created for Jean-Baptiste is a work of art in itself - another unique voice threatened to also be crushed by the savagery of the father; for the son’s subservience leads him to always seek the love and approval of the oppressor and he is compelled to reveal his treasure.

Meehan’s exceptional work of historical fiction has created a thing of beauty and mystery giving voice to music, art, beauty and passion, the voice that struggles to rise above cruelty and oppression. As Jean-Baptiste learns
‘Our aim is not harmony and perfection. Our aim is energy. This is what music is about. Not as a creation but as an action of creating, of driving pleasure and energy and power into the hearts of all who listen’.

An ungrateful instrument is a joy to read. The themes of the book are complemented by its beautiful presentation; it is a hardback volume with marbled endpapers, a ribbon bookmark, with the cover image from a painting by Alexandre-Francois Desportes. This is a book to keep and treasure.

Themes: Historical fiction, Music, Musicians, Musical instruments, Coercion, Voice, Women’s role.

Helen Eddy