Magic Flutes [Import] [Paperback]

Eva Ibbotson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd; New Ed edition (June 3, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099225913
• ISBN-13: 978-0099225911
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Love Story Alive With Music and Beauty, July 4, 2009

By 

Scott B. Kelley (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Flutes (Paperback)

This was the first Eva Ibbotson book I read and it made me a fan for life. It's a completely captivating love story filled with colorful details about opera, art, and royalty. It's also VERY funny, and I found myself repeatedly laughing at the comic antics of the opera company. I was perplexed when I read the one negative review--if the buyer wanted a "realistic" story, why did she buy a book of romantic fantasy? Yes, the heroine Tessa is a very good girl indeed, but I didn't find her unbelievable because of that. Cinderella was a good girl too, but we cheered when she got her Prince Charming. Magic Flutes is a Cinderella story for grown ups, as sweet as a piece of cake and just as much fun to devour. (written by Sandra Kelley)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some depth to this romance, February 25, 2010

By 

Clare Cannon "Portico Books" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Flutes (Paperback)

Ibbotson's writing is entrancing, and this is another un-put-down-able romance for teen girls. Thankfully there are none of the direct 'scenes' that appear in some of her other books for older readers, though a few mature-theme references prevent it being suitable for under 13s. As it is, we'd keep it for 15+.

Part of the reason it's so easy to 'lose your heart' in Ibbotson's stories is that her female characters are superb. How she can make an ordinary looking, hard-working, self-sacrificing and kind-hearted girl look absolutely irresistible! Especially when contrasted with a miserably self-seeking, comically vain, narrow-minded drama queen. Yet somehow both characters retain an air of naturalness that makes them not only believable but actually seem to resemble people you know. Usefulness, generous hard work and small acts of service appear like the most beautiful things you've ever come across.

Even better is that these are precisely the qualities that make the young heroine irresistible for the Rochester-like hero; far from appearing bland or 'too good', her character is full to the brim and overflowing, he is captivated. But of course there are many obstacles in the way, that's what makes the story.

A far cry from the shallow infatuation of Twilight, Ibbotson offers a similarly heart-engulfing romance founded on something truly beautiful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Charming Romance, April 25, 2010

By 

AUPoohBear "aupoohbear" (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Flutes (Paperback)

Found on the docks at Newcastle-upon-Tyme, Guy is a foundling who spent his earliest years at the Foundling Home fighting any perceived insult or injustice. At the age of 6 he was adopted by the widow Martha Hodge, who saw his potential and loved him unconditionally. Guy worked hard to please Martha and turned his energy to his studies. After attending University in Vienna, Guy came home changed and determined to make millions. Now, in 1922, he has become a multi-millionaire and is rich enough to buy a castle. He decides to buy Pfaffenstein castle to woo back his lady love who rejected him years ago when he was poor. Tessa was born and bred the Princess of Pfaffenstein but is now a republican and working backstage at a Vienna opera company for free because she loves music so much. She encounters Guy backstage when he comes to hire the opera company for his engagement house party. She is struck by his kindness to her but knows he will go away and she'll never see him again. When the opera company is engaged to perform Mozart's Magic Flutes at Pfaffenstein, Tessa is torn between her duties to her station and her heart. Should she marry Maxi, a prince who lives in a damp and crumbling home or can she help patronize the arts? Will Guy actually marry the spoiled beauty he believes he loves? Those are the questions that kept me turning the pages long into the night. This is a typical Ibbotson romance novel with a doe-eyed virtuous heroine who tried her hardest to please everyone and an older man of the world. The book is filled with beautiful descriptions and historical details of pre- WWII Austria and a number of quirky characters. Though she does reuse the same formula and same elements of previous stories, this is a sweet, funny and charming romance novel for teens and adults.