Good Things I Wish You
The acclaimed author of Vinegar Hill and Midnight Champagne returns with a compelling tale of two summer romances, separated in time by over one hundred and fifty years.
At forty-two, Jeanette Hochmann—newly divorced from her husband of more than a decade—struggles to reassemble her life with her young daughter. Lately, the world seems bereft of the passion that’s always inspired and sustained her, first as a child prodigy at the piano, later as a teacher and writer of fiction. Now, she can’t seem to get traction on her latest book, a novel based on the forty-year relationship between nineteenth-century German pianist Clara Schumann and her husband’s handsome young protégé, the composer Johannes Brahms.
Through a chance encounter, Jeanette meets a native of Leipzig, Clara’s birthplace—a mysterious entrepreneur whose casual help with translations of diaries and letters blooms into something more. There are things about men and women, he insists, that do not change. The two embark on a whirlwind emotional journey that leads Jeanette to a similar crossroads faced by Clara Schumann—as a mother, as an artist—well over a century before.
Beautifully designed, enhanced with photographs, sketches and notes from both present and past, A. Manette Ansay’s original blend of fiction and historical fact captures the timeless nature of love and friendship between women and men.
- Author’s Statement
- Background on Clara (Wieck) Schumann
- Sample Chapters
- Images from the Novel
- Links
- Notes on Images
- Extra Images
Publication date: June 30, 2009
Buy the book from amazon | b&n
Reviews
- USA Today: 2009 Summer Books
- California Chronicle
Ansay sprinkles bits of letters, photographs and drawings throughout the novel, a deft touch that adds to the book’s evocative moods of past and present. Clara writes, “I wish I could find longing as sweet as you do. It only gives me pain and fills my heart with unspeakable woe.” The remarkable thing about Good Things I Wish You is its ability to mine those feelings and emerge shining with life’s possibilities. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
Ansay, the author of eight books, is in top form here, masterfully blending fiction and historical fact, even including real photographs and historical notes. Don’t miss this one. - Elle Magazine (July 1, 2009)
Advance Praise
Stewart O’Nan, author of Last Night at the Lobster and Songs for the Missing
Like The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Good Things I Wish You employs a rich and daring metafictional spin on one of the great romances in history to investigate passion and love–and what doesn’t change between women and men. Manette Ansay takes great risks to deliver great rewards.
Diana Abu-Jaber, author of Origin
Good Things I Wish You is a lyrical, haunting exploration of loves past and present. Witty, sprightly, surprisingly, this deeply original and utterly captivating new novel by A. Manette Ansay beguiles the senses and dazzles the heart. A beautiful book.
3 responses so far
Ms.Ansay, About 5 or 6 yrs. ago I attended a summer workshop for practicing writers at the public library in Cambridge, N. Y. A tall young woman was in the group who resembles your photos. She critiqued a partially completed story of mine, being kind with her words. I have always had the idea it was you since she had an unusual name similar to yours. I await your new novel. Sounds wonderful.
Sincerely, Dianne Bernas
Dear Ms. Ansay,
I was one of your students at UM (you might remember me for trying to hand in my final a week late- you wouldnt have it!!) Anyways, I have continued writing and because of your persuasion, had my poem “Taming of the id” published. I finished your book Vinegar Hill from start to finish on Monday. That was your gift to me upon my departure from the class. Thank you for everything. I was kind of a drag during class discussions and pretty much that year, but it made for some terrific writing!
Sincerely,
Crystaline Loveless
Dear Ms. Ansay: I have read all your books and I am anxiously awaiting this new one. Just reading your comments creates such a longing in me for the story. I wrote to you once because I am an alumna of UM. You were so gracious to respond. Thank you.
Yoli Redero