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The Golden Boy: Beethoven's Adolescence

By Mikael Ross
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3.81 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Golden Boy: Beethoven's Adolescence by Mikael Ross follows the young Ludwig Beethoven from 1778 to his breakthrough performance in Vienna in 1795. Living in Bonn under difficult circumstances, Ludwig's talent at the piano offers hope amid his father Johann's struggles with alcoholism and debt. The story captures Ludwig's early challenges as he balances expectations with his own emerging creative voice.

Ross draws from unique sources, including the diaries of a neighbour, blending humour and empathy to create a coming-of-age tale that goes beyond biography. His vivid, expressive artwork conveys Beethoven's timeless music through the comic medium masterfully.
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Format: Hardback
$5699
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This graphic novel is a superb choice for readers who enjoy biography, classical music, and richly illustrated stories. It will appeal to fans of historical narratives and those interested in the early life of great composers, as well as to graphic novel enthusiasts seeking works that combine social drama with artistic flair.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Ludwig van Beethoven created music that moves and inspires us to this day; his very name sparks a melody in the ear. But are you born a genius? This graphic biography asks: "Who was Beethoven before he became 'Beethoven?'"

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Master cartoonist Mikael Ross (The Thud) tells the story of Beethoven from 1778 to his first major public appearance in Vienna in 1795. It begins when the family is living a difficult life in Bonn. Father Johann battles with alcoholism and is deep in debt. Only young Ludwig and his talent at the piano offer any hope for the future—if only he would stop composing his own pieces and just play what's expected of him.

Author Ross was asked to do a small comic for the Beethoven Society. Through this opportunity, he discovered the diaries of the baker's son that lived downstairs from Beethoven's family, the content of which inspired The Golden Boy. As in his previous book, The Thud, Ross skillfully mixes humor with empathy and pure social drama, crafting a coming-of-age story that transcends its biographical subject matter. His colourful, expressive style and mastery of the language of comics are perfectly suited to the tall task of capturing Beethoven's timeless music visually.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"The childhood of Beethoven comes to vivid life in Golden Boy. Any fan of classical music will discover a new appreciation for comics." – Broadway Direct

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781683965510

Publisher: Fantagraphics

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 June 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Fantagraphics

Illustration: 1 Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 210.0mm

Height: 276.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 192

Collections

Adult Graphic Novels Fiction Graphic Novels Mikael Ross

About the Author

Mikael Ross is a Berlin-based cartoonist and tailor. Ross was the recipient of the very first graphic novel scholarship from Berlin's Senate Department for Culture and Europe. Nika Beauchamp is a writer and translator of German literature living in St. Louis.

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