The most talented musical family in the world. For the first time, mother Kadie Kanneh-Mason shares her unique story.

WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARD 2022 FOR NON-FICTION

WINNER OF THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY STORYTELLING AWARD 2021

‘Riveting, taking in prejudice as well as sacrifice. There are 4.30am starts, lost instruments, fractured wrists, all captured with vivid flourishes. A paean to camaraderie.’ Observer

Seven brothers and sisters. All of them classically trained musicians. One was Young Musician of the Year and performed for the royal family. The eldest has released her first album, showcasing the works of Clara Schumann. These siblings don’t come from the rarefied environment of elite music schools, but from a state comprehensive in Nottingham. How did they do it?

Their mother, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, opens up about what it takes to raise a musical family in a Britain divided by class and race. What comes out is a beautiful and heartrending memoir of the power of determination, camaraderie and a lot of hard work. The Kanneh-Masons are a remarkable family. But what truly sparkles in this eloquent memoir is the joyous affirmation that children are a gift and we must do all we can to nurture them.

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‘Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s story offers a ray of sunshine. Her account of the daily struggle to manage the musical educations of her family’s seven talented children reaches a triumphant conclusion when second son, cellist Sheku, achieves worldwide fame in 2018, playing at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.’

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‘[Kadiatu’s] frank memoir reveals the eye-watering level of practical, emotional, intellectual and financial commitment required to raise seven outstanding classical musicians… Her beautiful, wise writing is its own music.’

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‘Riveting, taking in prejudice as well as sacrifice. There are 4.30am starts, lost instruments, fractured wrists, all captured with vivid flourishes. A paean to camaraderie.’

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‘The story runs deeper… Kadie makes no secret of the sacrifices she’s had to make, whether physical (pregnancy never agreed with her), career (she gave up her job as an English lecturer 21 years ago), or financial.’

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‘The unique story of a unique family. Unique? Well I can’t think of any other family with seven children, all of whom are prodigiously talented musicians. Kadie gives a glorious account of how she and husband Stuart came to realise that from the earliest age their children communicated through music. She gives an honest account of the burdens as well as the joys, as she and Stuart knew they had a duty to fulfil, which imposed enormous financial strain on them. Now they can relish their children’s achievements — including Sheku’s performance at a royal wedding — and know all the sacrifice was worth it. Kadie combines this with a searing account of growing up as a mixed-race child in the Britain of the 70s. A deeply intimate and honest read on so many levels.’

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‘A memoir that both candidly portrays and fiercely protects [Kanneh-Mason’s] brood… The fortitude and determination of the parents leap from every page.’

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‘I was entranced by the inspirational memoir about an exceptional family of very young musicians who have already achieved phenomenal success… Beautifully written and hugely enjoyable, this book shows us what it takes to nurture children to fulfil their potential and offer their unique gifts to the world.’

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‘An engaging and informative account of hard work and dedication, given context by [Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason’s] experiences of growing up with a Sierra Leonean father and a Welsh mother in 1970s–1980s Britain.’