The Baroness

By: Hannah Rothschild

Narrated by: Hannah Rothschild

She seemed to have it all: children, a handsome husband, and a trust fund. But in the early 1950s, Nica Rotschild heard "Round Midnight" by the jazz legend Thelonious Monk; the music overtook her like a magic spell, and she abandoned her marriage to go and find him. She was shunned by society but the musicians gave her friendship. She gave them material and emotional support; her convertible Bentley was a familiar sight outside the clubs, her notoriety was sealed when Charlie Parker died in her apartment. But her real love was reserved for Monk, whom she cared for until his death in 1982.

©2012 Hannah Rothschild (P)2012 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

“Startling . . . Hannah Rothschild tells this story with care, balancing narrative tension with a desire to lay out all the facts so readers can make up their own minds . . . Wholly gripping" (Rachel Cooke, Observer)

"Riveting, touching and insightful" (Daily Telegraph)

"A well-researched biography. It is one third a history of the Rothschild family, one third a portrait of Nica, and one third a biography of Monk. Nica comes across as a remarkable woman, strong, feisty and rebellious." (Sunday Times)