The Gustav Sonata cover art

The Gustav Sonata

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The Gustav Sonata

By: Rose Tremain
Narrated by: Mark Meadows
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About this listen

Gustav Perle grows up in a small town in Switzerland where the horrors of the Second World War seem distant. He adores his mother, but she treats him with bitter severity, disapproving especially of his intense friendship with Anton, the Jewish boy at school. A gifted pianist, Anton is tortured by stage fright; only in secret games with Gustav does his imagination thrive.

But Gustav is taught that he must develop a hard shell, 'like a coconut', to protect the softness inside - just like the hard shell perfected by his country to protect its neutrality. But despite this hard shell, nothing in Gustav's life can be called neutral. Older and increasingly curious about his absent father, Gustav discovers the traces of an erotic love affair - traces which still glow white-hot even now.

Fierce, astringent, profoundly tender and spanning the 20th century, Rose Tremain's beautifully orchestrated novel explores the big themes of betrayal and the struggle for happiness and, above all, the passionate love of a childhood friendship as it is tested over a lifetime.

©2016 Rose Tremain (P)2016 Audible, Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Friendship

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All stars
Most relevant
The book started off really well. About halfway through, I felt bored and wanted it to finish. I persevered to the end, hoping for something interesting to happen, but I was disappointed. it was dull and predictable. I didn't like the narrator. I thought that some of the voices he used were ridiculous. I thought his performance was disjointed, as though he wasn't interested in the story and just reading from a page. Not recommended!

Disappointing

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I loved this angle on a story of wartime, it is now a favourite. The relationships of parents, friends lovers, colleagues all expertly observed. Excellent

So moving

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I didn’t find this as uplifting of others by the same brilliant author but it held my interest and was helped by the excellent Mark Meadows

Rather a depressing story read beautifully.

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This was a book club book. worth reading. Very different view of life post war.

interesting read, learnt about Switzerland

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A beautifully written and narrated book. Rose Tremain has honed her skills to perfection. She has excelled herself.

I would thoroughly recommend this book, especially in the times we now find ourselves.

The best yet!

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