Hallelujah

by J. Scott Featherstone

Hallelujah  is the remarkable story of one of the greatest events in musical history, the creation of George Frederic Handel's masterpiece, Messiah. Composed in just twenty-four days, Handel's "Grand Oratorio which rendered him immortal" was birthed in the darkest and most desperate hours of his life. His health was failing. Critics ridiculed him. Creditors hounded him. Enemies perscuted him. Pride had nearly destroyed him. Yet, out of Handel's night emerged the dawn of Messiah. Anyone who has thrilled at hearing the Hallelujah Chorus will feel "profound attachment" to Handel's story of hope and redemption as timeless ans poignant as the music itself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Fiction, Christmas, Music, Historical, Audiobook

576 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

J. Scott Featherstone is an award-winning commercial, documentary, and feature film director and writer. He is a New York Film Festival gold medal winner and Emmy nominated writer/director of the documentary series on Japan.

Reviews

[Juergen John Roscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Hallelujah because it was the book chosen for December 2009 Book Club discussion. I doubt I would have read this book if not required for the book club, but I am grateful that I read it.

The oratorio “Messiah” composed by George Frideric Handel has always been a favorite of mine during Christmas and Easter. This historical fiction book portrays the life of Handel and the creation of the beloved musical masterpiece. The book follows the life of Handel with several subplots using minor characters; some historical and others not.

I found this book about the life of Handel to be very interesting and inspiring. His life is interesting given the historical period and his role in it, in addition, to him creating one of the most popular works in Western choral literature. His life is inspiring because of the heights and depths that he experienced in his musical career showing his determination and courage to continue on when all others had given up on him. His life, as depicted in the book, shows the redemptive powers of the love of the Savior.

Furthermore, this book helped me understand better the difference between the poor (lower class) and the aristocracy during the 1700s. The subplots of Jonathan and Rachael and the Packrat illustrated the difference between the rich and the poor as well as added depth to the story.

I know that the author J. Scott Featherstone is LDS and his descriptions, especially with the spiritual matters, have an LDS influence. I wonder how those who are not LDS receive some of the depictions of Handel being so greatly influenced by the spirit when composing the oratorio.

I would recommend this book to those who love historical fiction and interest in great choral literature or musical composers.

[Mark Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first saw a rendition of The Messiah at the St George Tablernacle, while still in my teens. I remember joining the congregation in singing the Hallelujah Chorus. The flutterings of my heart, the tears in my eyes, the girls across the way winking their eyes at me and my friend...ah, a special day. And listening to the soundtrack most every P-day in the mission field was a special treat.

So when my friend Mary invited me to read this book, I gladly accepted. There are several plots going on at the same time and while they do cross paths upon occasion, it is not until quite near the end when they are all flowing together in harmony. I was a little sad that this was a novel and not actual events, though of course there are certain historical occurrences that happen.

Did I get the same feelings as the first time I heard The Messiah when I read this? Oh yes indeed. Does it make me want to dig out my copy of the libretto and sing along with the stereo, cranked to high volume? I should say so. I was warmed by the author's take on the influence on Handel, how it changed him and brought about this oratorio.

Thanks Mary for the great read. I will be sure to recommend it to others!

[Jenifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the intention of totally skimming this almost-six-hundred page book but the beginning totally sucked me in with Peter the Packrat. He remained my favorite character throughout though the story got really stale in the middle and I, committed by this time, was slogging a bit. It is the fictionalized story of how George Frederic Handel wrote "The Messiah". If you love this music and/or religious literature, it is a fine book and I recommend it. In the tradition of Dickens, the good characters are saintly, and the bad folks truly evil.

This description of the composer reminds me of a favorite Coldplay member (who has his own hair) that we all love; "Each time he had an entrance, people would rise up in their seats for a better look. During the more active harpsichord sections, Handel would bounce on his stool, causing his wig to dance on his head. By the time the first act was over, the audience could judge his interest and enthusiasm for the piece by the shake of his wig."

[Kathy Marler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fictional representation of the life of Frederick Handle. The story is wonderful and you could hear his music coming from the pages of the book. A wonderful insight into court life to extreme poverty in the 1700's.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book, I have a much better appreciation for the genius that is Handel and the wonderful gift of revelation he received to bring us "Messiah"

[Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a second reading for me and I think I will make it a new Christmas tradition. I found myself searching Amazon/Audible for an uplifting Christmas story and was discouraged with my choices. I remembered reading this book a few years ago and because of time restraints, I tried the Audible version. I never tire of hearing the undeniable spiritual inspiration behind the writing of Messiah. This is a historical fiction account of Handel’s writing of Messiah with a heartbreaking additional storyline that left me feeling I should be donating a whole lot more to the poor and needy.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more of Handel and how he came to write the messiah and how it became such an important work of music almost 300 years later. I was also able to attend a choir and orchestra in my community perform the Messiah this past week which was great to hear and experience in person.

[Amelia Beh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good uplifting story. A little wordy in parts, but I enjoyed it.

[Melanie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago and I talk about it every Christmas season. It is a miraculous story and changes the way you listen to Handels Messiah.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best read of the year! One of my new all time favorites. "Hallelujah" is historical fiction at its best.

This is the story of George Frederic Handel and his writing of the oratorio "Messiah." Handel's story begins as he leaves Europe and trys to break into the London European musical scene. Handel's musical talent and gift help him gain early success with the king and the audiences of London. However, Handel becomes an unfortunate pawn in a power struggle between the king and his son the prince. The king backs Handel and a musical talent contest is commissioned. Handel is asked to write operas, stage them, and produce them. He sustains early success but the volley between the king's theatre and the prince's soon begin to use treachory to draw away Handel's audience.
Powerful newspaper editors alighn themselves with the prince in an effort to prick at the king. They seize on Handel's weaknesses and begin to misrepresent him in the media of the day. Handel presses forward, but soon enough the king loses interest and drops his financial backing as the audience for Handel's operas disappear.

Handle's tenacity and desparation keep him writing new music in an effort to gain the upper hand. He borrows heavily against ticket sales to produce the next show. However, anti-Handel-conspirators hire ruffians and street urchins to dispose of the playbills and audiences as they arrive for shows. Handel's own temper and lack of patience with his performers and production staff drive further wedges into an already weak structure. Collapse is inevitable.

Meanwhile, Featherstone, masterfully weaves in the fictional stories of a street urchin nicknamed the Packrat, and also of a peasant family of Rachel and Jonathan. Their stories are typical of many in London at that time. However, these character's lives would be intertwined and touched by Handel.

Handel's life does eventually collapse in financial and emotional bankruptcy. He withdraws from society in self pity and resentment. Desparation drives him to attempt further shows but no theatre or company could take any risk on him. It is in this crucible, when Handel is the lowest and is a broken man, that the music for the written liberratto of Jennings is given to Handel from heaven. Of course the rest of the story is about the changed Handel and the history of the magnificent oratorio "The Messiah."

May I just start by saying, that it has truly been a long drought since I have read anything that uplifted and inspired me in the genre of fiction. Yet, I found that while I was reading this book that I wanted to be more honest in my dealings with others. I wanted to be more patient and kind to my loved ones. Of course, I don't think it even possible to broach a subject like this divine story without inspiration in the first place.

I have had the opportunity to perform as well as listen to Handel's "Messiah" and I like many before have been overcome by the spirit of the music. I believe with all my heart that it was a gift from God to Handel and now to know the story just makes it all the more fantastic. Featherstone did a superb job of conveying this story. Be prepared to have your heart touched.

One of my favorite quotes from the book. "There are many courses that lead to despair, but only one path leading up and out; God is the author. If one is to accomplish a great feat, it must come with great sacrifice. The holier and more rightoues the endeavor, the more sacrifice God will require. He will purify the outcome by purifying the doer of the deed. That is how God's plan works. He will not intercede to correct mistakes of men, thus robbing them of agency; He will correct men until they give Him their agency. He will try them in order to let His will and mind distill upon them. He will chastise their peace, wrench their heart, wring out their soul, until their eyes meet with His."
I love it when I find golden nuggets of truth and beauty in prose. This rings so true to my soul. The author also had a little divine inspiration or has been on this course as well.

I borrowed this book from a friend but will now buy a hard copy of my own to have whenever I have the desire to reread. I will even bypass the digital copy in favor of a hard copy. I recommend this book to all, especially my music loving friends. A note of caution: This is a long and compelling read.

[Launette Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book, I gained an appreciation of the life-changing events that George Handel experienced while writing the Messiah. It was very well written. I would have given it 5 stars if it had been completely non fiction.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never forgotten the feelings I had when I heard the Hallelujah Chorus sung in a tabernacle in American Fork, Utah many years ago. Though it was not the first time I had heard Messiah, I was deeply touched on this occasion. Since then, the music has always been a part of my Christmas celebration. I loved this book about the composer of that magnificant music. It's true that it is rather "wordy" and sometimes I wished the author would get to the point--it could have been a much shorter book. However, I felt it was well worth reading. I loved the fictional characters--Jonathan and Rachel, the Packrat. I was moved by the portrayal of the actual composing of the music. I loved the faithfulness of Handel's servant, Peter and was glad to learn that he was not a fictional character. I enjoyed learning the history and the author's clarification of fact from fiction at the end of the book. This story has enhanced my enjoyment of the music.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I gave it a mediocre effort, but 120 pages in I still feel like I'm treading water. What made me want to read this book is the introduction: the author's true experience of realizing Handel's personal tragedy precipitative to the Messiah being written. But I don't like the novel format to tell this story. It felt like the author was grasping for plot to add, none of it especially compelling. (The Packrat was charming at first, but felt one-dimensional and got old quickly.) Plus, I'm frustrated that it still feels ages away from his writing the Messiah, which is why I wanted to read the book in the first place.
If I had time on my hands, and no other book to read, this one wouldn't be a terrible diversion, but when I have so many others on my to-read list clamoring for attention, I just can't stick with this.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I do feel there was a lot that was fictionalized, but it was so long ago that it would be hard not to. I actually wish I had read the author's notes first because they helped amend my concerns.

At first I had a hard time with all the characters who didn't seem to cross paths with Handel's story, but when I described it to my husband he said it reminded him of British period dramas which are very episodic and have characters that don't necessarily fit with the main mold the way American writing would. Once he suggested that it clicked and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book for what it is.
I love the premise for this book so much. Read the prologue!

The audio narration was well done.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It took me a long time to get through...not because it was a difficult read but because it was VERY thought provoking and powerful. I LOVED learning about Handel's Messiah and the life and times of such a gifted composer. If your heart is open while reading this book you will feel incredible power in the author's words. There were times I got a little teary while reading. As soon as I finished the book I purchased "The Messiah" on i-tunes and have been listening to it continually. Definitely an inspiring read. What a gift of a book.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read too many historical fiction novels, but I really enjoyed this one and now have the desire to read more. There are several interesting characters woven through the book, I especially liked Peter the Packrat. The writing style is a bit wordy for me and I would have liked to see more character development, but overall a great read that I would recommend.

[Tobias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by a friend of mine, although I am better friends with his deaf sons. Scott is an excellent storyteller, and did quite a bit of research into the life of Handel. This is great read for classical music lovers AND those that are not.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a historical fiction about Handel writing the Messiah. This book grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until you are done. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned alot. Relief Society Book Group choice.

[Pinch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. What an eye opener

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like many thrillers, the novel occasionally uses the cinematic viewpoint, showing us characters acting without revealing their motives, and characters reading messages without disclosing their contents to the readers. When authors overdo this it can be frustrating, but I don’t think Featherstone does.

If only he were as deft at managing his logorrhea. Almost every paragraph has words, phrases, even whole sentences that could have been cut without destroying the meaning or atmosphere. For example, why is the second of these two sentences needed?

What he would give to reel back in the words that he let so carelessly slip from his tongue. But it was too late; the words were irretrievable.

And this is just one of a myriad examples. I find superfluous prose on every page. The following passage could be cut by 80% without losing anything:

“Madam, how may I help you today?” The woman could not speak. She glanced left and right, not certain to whom the baker was talking. “Madam, may I help you?” She stood frozen. Her heart pounded within her chest. She was not certain why, but tears began to form in her eyes. She could not accept nor comprehend that someone was actually offering aid. Through the past many months...she had been asking, even pleading for help, but none came. Now someone had uttered a simple entreaty, she didn’t know how to respond. She knew that his question had precious little to do with her circumstance, but it didn’t matter. To her, it was as if the voice of God was speaking to her tired and spent soul. it was a small thing, yet to her it was immense. To be regarded was an experience grown foreign to her. She drank it in like cool water over parched lips and altogether forgot why she had come. The baker inquired of her again, this time more specifically: “Some pastries, perhaps, or fresh baked bread?”

Where was the editor when all this was typeset?

[MJ Smith Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely intended on skimming/speed reading this almost 600 page book but the author buried critical story points in the middle of long ramblings about random background information that wasn’t critical to the story so you had to do more in depth reading then expected. The story itself was interesting but should have had about 150 pages of useless dribble cut out. I wanted to go through with a red marker and start marking out sections that did not contribute to the story. A lot of telling and not showing about the importance of the making of the messiah. Lots of background on supporting characters and the lead up to the making of the messiah which again could have been cut down SIGNIFICANTLY. I wasn’t convinced on the character development, seemed like some of the critical points such as Handel’s mother’s death was glossed over from the person who would have given the most insight which was Handel himself. Just his mom died and now we’re not in debt, yay. A lot of the background of Peter the pack rat also could have been cut down and out significantly. Same with Rachel and Jonathan. The viewpoint of Peter Lebland could have been cut down in places and expanded in others. Overall 3 stars.

[Susan G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for the fictionalized story of Handel’s Messiah. The greatest music ever written! The audiobook was a delight for its character voices and occasional Messiah background music. I was happy the author sorted out the fact and fiction at the conclusion.

Like many others I believe the story could have been told with fewer words and give it four stars because of length. Although I did appreciate the author’s attention to language and detail.

I really enjoyed the book and it’s historical, as well as fictional, characters. I may read this one again!

[Sherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too long, too many unnecessary characters in an effort to make the reader feel good in the end. They were distracting and took away from the main storyline and the meaningfulness of this great work of music. About 250 pages in I started skimming entire pages and still was able to fully keep up with the plot; that should give you an idea of how badly this book needed a proper editor.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great fictional telling of how the oratorio, Messiah, by George Frederic Handel, came to be written in just 24 days in the 1743. The author followed Handel’s life but added additional characters to round out the story. Having sang in a choir that performed Messiah I could hear the music in my head as I read the book.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful historic fiction story that causes deep reflection of our Savior. The spirit touched my soul and testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ and how he truly atoned for our sins. It is through Him that we are made whole. This book helped strengthen my testimony and my resolve to always follow my Messiah.

[Thia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it was the choice of my book club for Nov 2020. It is big and it was a challenge! I really enjoyed it and then enjoyed listening to Handel’s Messiah. There are a couple stories followed in the book that end up merging into one beautiful story. It was well written though at times a bit wordy. A good read if you have the time.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, moving story with many ups and downs, but a most wonderful finish!

This book moved me very much and brought me to tears many times.

This story has given me more love for the work Messiah and I hope to remember the good parts every time I hear the music.

Thank you Scott!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel very interesting and hope that much of it is accurate -- especially the relationship between Handel and his manservant Peter LeBlonde. I've long loved to listen to Handel's Messiah and look forward to an enhanced experience next December when our community choir and orchestra present it again -- an annual event dating back some 96 years.

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction. I enjoyed parts of it. Other parts were so wordy I had to skim and skip. I also took a break for a few weeks. I did learn some interesting details. The author tries - almost painfully, sometimes - to demonstrate the hand of God orchestrating people’s lives and how they influence one another.