Music Against the Night

Yiyun Li’s captivating novel follows the parallel journeys of two talented musicians—John Field in Dublin and Adelaide Percheron in Pondicherry—as they rise to prominence in the turbulent late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Set against a richly historical backdrop, the story explores their ambitions, sacrifices, and evolving relationships amid a world of rivalry, passion, and artistic pursuit. With themes of genius and perseverance, the sweeping narrative offers an intricate and beautifully crafted portrait of music and discovery.