JOANNA STEPHEN-WARD - AUTHOR

Some comments from people who have read Vissi D’Arte:

I was so riveted I missed my bus stop. Some of the situations upset me and I really felt for the characters when they were unhappy. It was a great insight into the world of opera and that era. The build up to the discovery of the mystery was fascinating. I was on tenterhooks all the way through. Karen Perry – age 28, civil servant, UK

A wonderful, compelling book. I hope it does well. It certainly deserves to.
Frank Van Straten – Melbourne Australia. Author of National Treasure, the biography of Gertrude Johnson

I predict that Joanna Stephen-Ward will become one of the most renowned novelists of the 21st Century. I had visitors coming and was looking forward to their arrival till I began reading Vissi d’arte. It was so passionate and involving, I didn’t want anyone to come and interrupt me. Jenny Webb – Journalist UK

I was absorbed by all the characters. Their interrelationships were the most real life portrayals I have ever read. Each character was immaculately established and I could relate to many of them. Others I felt I knew from real life experiences. Letitia Moore – age 15, student Queensland Australia

A gripping story. We are kept in suspense right until the last word. I read it in 2 days. I had lots of things to do, but was too engrossed in Vissi d’arte to do them. When are we going to get another one? Lucy Brain UK

She is so cruel to her characters! Francois Belholm France

Vissi d’arte made me want to go to an opera. Before attending The Barber of Seville, spurred on by the information in the book, I bought the CD and libretto so I could study it. This increased my enjoyment immensely. The students at work sections in the novel fascinated me, as they gave me a behind the scenes look at operas and how they are staged. Nancy Godwin – New York, age 35, Administrator with Goldman Sachs Investment Bank.

I read the first chapter and was enjoying it. Then my mother visited and began to read it and she was so involved she took it home. She loved it. Richard Groocock, civil servant, UK

Very impressed by the characters and their relationships. They were easy to empathise with. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It would make a terrific film. Celeste Moore – age 17, student in Queensland Australia. Classical music composer. My ambition is to compose theme music for films.

It was wonderful. I felt so sad when I’d finished it. I wanted to read it again but my daughter took it. Ethel Curnow Nursing Sister, Sydney Australia

There are 3 words to describe this novel – Brilliant, fascinating, intriguing. David Ward – electrical engineer, UK