Music Against the Night
A Novel
Get this book
Search Bookshop.org for this title.
About Music Against the Night
Yiyun Li, in this sweeping epic, brings us two unforgettable characters based on two extraordinary musicians on the rise. John Field was born in 1782 in Dublin and went on to become one of the leading musicians of his era in Russia. He coined the term "nocturne" for the form that would later be popularized by his contemporary - who is now much more famous - Chopin. His wife, Adelaide Percheron, born in French Pondicherry in India, eventually came to train alongside Field as a pianist. Her extraordinary life was fueled by her limitless ambition - though her path to success as an artist would meet with greaterfrustration. Their story spans seventy years and multiple continents, from Dublin to England to France, Russia, and India. Music Against the Night explores the cultivation and exploitation of artistic talent, the ambition of artists and the ways in which art is commercialized, and themes of history, politics, and migration. Yiyun Li brings a period of strife and change to vivid life in a thrilling, absorbing saga.
Reader guide at a glance
Use these edition facts and spoiler-light notes to decide whether this book fits your mood, time, and preferred reading experience.
- Audience
- Adult/general
- Commitment
- Standalone or self-contained
Why readers are finding Music Against the Night
Music Against the Night by Yiyun Li, published in 2026 is catalogued here for readers who prefer to browse by the experience of a story, not only by its sales category.
Each book can belong to several shelves at once, making it easier to move from a broad genre to a specific trope, mood, community recommendation, or series. Use the linked shelves above to compare related books, then choose print or audiobook from the edition information on this page.
- Print ISBN
- 978-0-374-61305-1
- Published
- 2026