Welcome to The Gift
Marthe Adler becomes a violinist in early twentieth century Germany. The Gift quadrilogy is her story: the history she makes as a pioneering and courageous musician determined to live on her own terms in a prejudiced and tradition-bound culture, and the history she survives through the turbulent birth of the modern world from the ashes of the old. Ultimately The Gift becomes the story of the profound consequences of Marthe’s life for the lives of her daughter and granddaughter as the twentieth century unfolds.
The Gift, Book I
the well-tempered violinist
by barbara t. carlton
Marthe Adler dreams of making history as a great violinist. But in 1905 Germany, tradition and deep-seated prejudice against women musicians stand in her way. To make matters worse, her beloved father’s sudden death shatters her family’s comfortable life, pushing them to the edge of poverty.
But the unique violin Marthe’s father left her is a constant reminder of the profound bond between them, and it gives her the strength to begin healing. When the Köln Conservatory offers her an unexpected scholarship, she seizes her chance to reach for the dream she thought she had lost for good.
Under the rigorous tutelage of Professorin Wolff, and subjected to predatory harassment by a fellow student determined to destroy both her self-worth and her chances of success, Marthe quickly learns she will need more than motivation and talent to rise to the top.
Filled with heart, wit, and music, The Well-Tempered Violinist is an enduring coming-of-age tale about an artist striving for greatness against enormous odds through the risky, difficult, and daring struggle of an artist in the making.
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST AUDIOBOOK
"Narrator Grayson Gold gives a loving and comforting performance as Marthe. You feel her hopes and fears in every word. There are well over thirty individual characters, all with their own unique voices accents, and even ages. Whenever Grayson became Oma Judith, I would get completely swept away in the world she created."
— Susie R.
Amazon Reader review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST AUDIOBOOK
"What impressed me most about the story was the immersive detail. I could see the buildings, the characters bundled up in furs, the clouds from their breath in the cold air. What impressed me most about the narration was the range of Grayson Gold. She does over thirty different voices: young, old, male, female, German, Czech, and my favorite, one from Brooklyn! The SWAGGER of that voice was delightful!"
— Susan
Amazon Reader Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"Carlton’s prose reverberates with the romance of the violin, the language of the orchestra, and the conviction that music is poetry for the soul. Knowledge of bowing techniques, music theory, and the psychology of assembling a quartet lends realism to a layered plot, accented by delightful, nuanced characters who both fulfill stereotypes and break them. Personalities clash and harmonize, tensions tauten, and Marthe's interior-focused life wrestles with complexities until the final paragraph."
Recommended by the US Review of Books
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and a simply compelling read from start to finish, The Well-Tempered Violinist showcases author Barbara Carlton's genuine flair for the kind of character and narrative driven storytelling style that is distinctive and well suited to a story of an early 20th Century struggle for a woman to make her way in a field (music) dominated by men.”
Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"Not just a novel, but an immersive musical journey with the accompanying YouTube playlist linked from her website (under Extras). I’m no classical music expert, but listening to each piece as Marthe worked through her training gave me a much deeper appreciation for both the music and her journey. It added a layer of immersion I’ve rarely experienced with a novel. Reading this made me want to learn to play the violin. I felt like I was on a journey through four years of music conservatory with Marthe. Five stars!"
— Margo R.
Amazon Reader Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"While the passionate music sessions, thrilling performances, good-humored camaraderie, and part of the domestic realism were a delight, the prejudices, ostracism, harassment, sexism, and intimidation she faced crushed me. But it all worked beautifully together to make me appreciate her resilience, progress, hard work, and personal growth. This is an incredible debut in the series. I loved it. I will be on the lookout for the next installment."
— Reader’s Favorite Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"The first-person perspective voice and the evocative depictions gave me access to Marthe’s world, allowing me to experience every moment in the story as if I were beside her. The historical context felt like I was back in early twentieth-century Köln. I instantly connected with Marthe and rooted for her all the way."
— Reader’s Favorite Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"A bonus: the author’s website (under Extras) provides a YouTube playlist of all the classical music described in the book. It made my reading a multimedia immersive experience and greatly enhanced my enjoyment. I highly recommend this book. Five stars!"
— Vin S.
Reader’s Favorite Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"A riveting, engrossing book with a a setting in history that gives politics and drama equal attention. Filled with drama and sharpness, yet evenly balanced with lightness. It’s a really well-rounded read. Five stars."
Goodreads Book Review
PRAISE FOR THE WELL-TEMPERED VIOLINIST
"Vividly drawn characters with compelling personalities. This is a book that is a little deeper, to challenge the reader, which I really enjoyed. Multi-layered themes within the plot. A well-written book that tells a beautiful story. Five stars."
Novel News Network Book Review