Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice — A Dark Historical Novel of Art, Loss, and Survival

Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice — A Dark Historical Novel of Art, Loss, and Survival

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Living with the physical effects of a life-changing song.

A short summary:

Anne Rice’s Cry to Heaven follows the life of a gifted boy born into a world that values beauty and art more than bodily integrity. Set primarily in 18th-century Italy, the novel traces his transformation into a celebrated castrato singer, an existence shaped by sacrifice, ambition, exploitation, and longing. Through lavish historical detail and emotional depth, Rice explores what it means to lose one’s body to preserve a voice, and what remains when identity is taken apart in the name of greatness.

My favorite quote from the book:

"True evil in this world is done by those with no imagination."

-Anne Rice, Cry to Heaven

Questions to ponder while reading:

How is your relationship with your father?

Do you like opera?

My review:

This is a haunting, deeply unsettling book, and also a profoundly human one. Cry to Heaven is about surviving with what you have been given, even when what you have lost was never yours to surrender. Rice does not soften the cruelty inflicted by parents, patrons, or systems that justify harm for the sake of art or legacy. At the same time, the novel is rich with beauty, music, desire, and resilience. It is not an easy read, but it is an unforgettable one—especially for readers willing to sit with moral discomfort and historical truth.

Content note: This novel centers on the castrati tradition and may not be for everyone.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!