Every Valley

Every Valley is a glittering narrative history of intertwined lives that tells the story behind one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, Handel's Messiah. A delicious history of music, power, love, genius, royalty and adventure. Unforgettable. SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORELondon - Dublin, 1741-42.An actress mired in scandal plans her escape from an abusive husband.A penniless sea captain sets out to rescue the city s abandoned infants.An African Muslim and former captive in the colonies becomes a celebrity.A grieving political dissident seeks release from his torment.And a great composer to kings George Frideric Handel now ill and straining to keep an audience s attention, faces a decision that will secure his place in history.Evoking a pivotal moment at the birth of modernity, a time of fear, conspiracy and uprising, and featuring some of the most unusual and brilliant personalities of the eighteenth century, Every Valley is a cinematic and moving account of hope in the darkness and the entangled lives that shaped a masterpiece. A mesmerizing journey through one of the most fascinating and creative moments in human history AMANDA FOREMAN Riveting The Times Book of the Week'Fascinating . . . cinematic . . . truly informative, imaginative and engaging' Financial Times'An absolute delight' PETER FRANKOPAN