Book giveaway: The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain. Post your feedback by 5 August for chance to win £100 Love2Shop Voucher!

Have finally read this - what a lovely book!! I really enjoyed it - I was immediately absorbed by gustav and his relationships w his mother and Anton but felt that it really came into its own when it jumped back to tell us more about Emilie and Erich and all that happened to them, and the consequences it had. I thought it was then really interesting how the story then leapt forward to Gustav and Anton in their fifties - so often 20s/30s are the focus but we are left to fill in the blanks here. In a way the ending was predictable but it was so moving and touching. All the characters were vivid and beautifully drawn. Highly recommended!!

Finally got around to taking this book on a camping trip so I could have time to read it.

I found it a real page turner, I ended up way past lights out quietly reading away!

I felt sorry for Gustav too, his early childhood made him always look after others before looking to his own needs.

I've never read a book by Rose Tremain but I certainly would read another.

I've now finished the book and enjoyed it, although it's not one I'll return to. I'm not very good at picking up underlying themes so it was only when I read the bits on the cover afterwards that I realised there were parallels between Gustav and Switzerland itself. I don't think I ever stopped feeling sorry for Gustav - life never seemed to quite work out, and even the seemingly happy ending was based around someone else's needs not his.

I found the book very poignant and the characters believable with relatable strengths and flaws.

Many thanks Mumsnet / Vintage Books for the copy of this book. The Gustav Sonata proved to be an enjoyable read, overall. The introduction and build-up is developed with time spent on backstory, elaborating on Gustav's parents, his best friend, grandmother, etc. The narrative gradually gains momentum from there, and gives us a thoughtful tale of friendship, love and loss in neutral Switzerland in and post-wartime.

A different kind of book to a lot of similar themed stories, particular with the composition. Worthwhile giving it a go.

I love to read moving stories with war and post-war narratives like this

The book arrived while I was on holiday so I've only just started it (and not read the thread to avoid spoilers). A few chapters in I'm finding myself feeling sorry for little Gustav, who seems to have nothing going for him, and hoping things improve for him.

One of the characters comments that everyone's image of Switzerland is cuckoo clocks and chocolate (or something like that) which got me wondering whether the book is attempting to counter that. I've tried to think of another book I've read set in Switzerland, and am drawing a blank in the 25 years since I finished devouring the Chalet School series! I'm looking forward to getting stuck further into this one.

This really is a great read, it is a very touching story and a real emotional rollercoaster! It is beautifully written (as expected from Rose Tremain) and i couldn't put it down! Would recommend!

Absolutely loved it and would recommend to others :)

brilliant read.

Didn't instantly appeal to me when my free copy arrived but on reading it pleased that I did get a copy and will certainly read more from this author. The structure of the book in sections and short chapters really suited me.So deceptively written- simple but conveys such deep emotions. A sad tale but very moving and an enjoyable read.

The description did not do this book justice. I was very surprised how good it was.

Looking forward to reading this.

fantastic, deffo enjoyed

This isn't the type of book I would normally pick but I recieved it as a gift. The book really drew me in and managed to make me feel sad and happy which I think is the mark of a good book xx

This isn't the type of book I woul normally pick but it was given to me. I enjoyed it. The book really drew you in as there were times I felt very upset and times I was happy. Which I think is the mark of a good book xx

I do like Rose Tremains’s writing and it’s been a while since I last read one of her books, so a delight to rediscover her again with this book. Her prose is wonderful and this was an engaging and educational tale (for me at least!) about family, love and friendship in Switzerland in the pre and post-war era. I’d never really considered some of the implications of the Swiss position – especially on the lives of ordinary people. However I have to admit that I found this to be a book of two halves – the story of Gustav’s childhood was very interesting but I found the later descriptions of his middle-aged life rather dull and disappointing. I had rather hoped for more for Gustav! The ending, when it came, was unsurprising really and had been suitably signposted along the way for the more alert reader.

That said, I still enjoyed it and would recommend.

I actually really enjoyed it but that's not surprising... I have a fascination with all things WW2 after studying it for many years and I also have a love of Switzerland as my closest friends live there!

Great book, would definitely recommend.

I would like to try it

I won a copy of this book arrived a tad tardy but well worth the wait .
I loved the expressive writing totally different to other authors and created
the scene wonderfully . Set in Switzerland and based around 2 boys from different backgrounds and their family histories . The plots and characters were memorable and overall the book is well worth a read . Many thanks

Really sad and poignant in places but a great read.

Never read Rose Tremain before and probably would not have picked this up in a bookshop with its cover and blurb but I really enjoyed it. A simple story of love, loss and betrayal but with real honesty. Loved it. Highly recommend.

Thank you for my copy of this book. I found the characters themselves to be engaging, especially Gustav. The story itself is beautifully and cleverly written. There is an almost musical quality to it, in both structure (as can be expected from the book's title) and atmosphere. Well worth reading.

Thank you for my copy of this book. I lived, so beautifully written. I found the relationship between Gustav and is mum particularly moving and wonderfully described. The tone of the book is very melancholic, with themes of lost opportunities throughout. A gentle tale which somehow manages to be incredibly powerful as well.

Thanks Mumsnet for sending me this. I loved it, it's beautifully written as you would expect from Rose Tremain. I found it very moving and like many others couldn't put it down. It looks such an unassuming little book but it is wonderfully measured. I am already recommending it to friends.