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

well written and a good read

Really loved this book. Such great characters, Gustav was great. Would recommend.

I loved it

The Gustav Sonata was an enjoyable read. The pace - much like the principle character - is composed, slow and steady. Yet in taking the time to delve into the lives of his parents, his best friend and the grandmother he never met, the author creates an interesting and interwoven narrative. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, this probably isn't a book I would have actively chosen based on the dust jacket but I did really enjoy reading it and would recommend.

Simply one of the best books I've read all year. The power of the writing is immense, yet understated. You're carried along through the prose, with events unfolding bit by bit, delicately dropped into the narrative, leaving you with that lovely feeling of not knowing, perhaps even dreading, what comes next. At times, I had to put it down and savour what I'd just read (like a fork at a delicious dinner), and not wishing it to end. Anton and Gustav are almost two sides of the same coin ("almost" because that would be too simple), both are intriguing, both with faults, and both dealing, or trying to deal, with the life they've been given. The other characters are wonderfully drawn, frustrating, engaging, exasperating, yet believable.

I so enjoyed this book, satisfying and exhilarating.

This book was wonderful! A real love story i.e. a story about love - the love of a child for his mother, that mother's love for her husband, the husband's love for his mistress; the love of two friends for each other - and the consequences of love and failure to love. I was spellbound. Read it in almost a night and if I didn't have poorly eyes (Sjorgren's syndrome) I probably would have. I'll certainly read more by Rose Tremain. Wonderful characterisation.

I enjoyed reading Restoration and Merivel, so I was looking forward to this new book by Rose Tremain and it didn't disappoint. I thought the writing told the story in a restrained and careful way which worked perfectly with the plot. It is a compelling and slightly bittersweet tale and I became engrossed in the characters and their complex interactions.

A very well constructed tale. Rather intense and a little heartbreaking. The characters are beautifully drawn. However I found it very depressing I'm afraid so not for me.

I've just finished reading this - it only took two sittings to read it as I wanted to rest on and find out 'what next' for the characters.

Like others have said - I don't think the description does the book justice.

A beautifully written book that makes you want to read on - I liked how the characters intertwined and you could feel what Gustav was going through - I thought it was delicately written - a joy to read.

My only criticism was that I felt the final part was a bit rushed - but perhaps this needed to happen to get them to where they were at the end of the book.

I've never read any other Rose Tremain books as I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction but I'm definitely going to hunt out more of her work.

Thanks for the free copy :o

Thanks for the copy mumsnet. I'd never have bought the book from a shop as the cover and description weren't great, but once I got I to it I found I kept wanting to read on (never good when you have a child who wants you up at 6am though!)
I really felt for the characters, Gustav in particular. As has been said it can be sad but it's not depressing.
Overall an interesting read, will pass on to my friends now.
Didn't know of the author before this but Will certainly see if she has anything else I can.pick.up at a reasonable price

Interesting read and well written, not my usual subject matter.

That should read Gustav's father (not fare)

Thank you for sending me a copy of the book to review. I have read and loved all of the other arose at remain books, and this was no exception. I loved the characters, the story line, and the way she writes with such subtlety, yet so powerfully about human emotions. I particularly loved the story when Gustav was a young boy, and his home life was very poignant.
I could have read so much more around these characters, and like any good book, feel a little bereft when finished.
I would highly recommend this book as part of anyone summer packing list.
I won't comment too much in the story, as I don't want to give away important parts of the story to anyone who still is reading. But I did so love the story behind Gustav's fare, the setting in Switzerland and the concept of neutrality, friendship and love.

I have to admit to signing up for all the book giveaways regardless of the genre so I probably wouldn't have chosen this myself....so thank you Mumsnet for introducing me to a fantastic author who has written many other books - yippee!

I was gripped from the start. I read the whole book yesterday and never wanted it to end. It was fascinating to look at the war from Switzerland's viewpoint. I loved being given the story from Emilie's perspective. This reminded me of Anne Tyler's A Spool of Blue Thread which also turns the story upside down once you see it through another character's eyes.

Gustav was admirable from the start. Despite his upbringing and lack of love he was such a rock to the other weaker characters. He appreciated all the small comforts as opposed to Anton who was never satisfied.

I never feel I can express myself well enough in book reviews so can just only say that this is a wonderful read and I thoroughly recommend it.

I love reading historical fiction like this especially ones involving family relationships. The Ken Follett trilogy was fantastic and this book is too.

Rose Tremain is a wonderful writer, and this book is a well-written and gripping read. I found myself drawn to the characters, and thinking about them after I finished the book. Poignant, compelling, a real keeper.

On reading the comments, they are all positive. Will have to make a point of reading it.

It was a bit heavy with me, not really my cup of tea but very well written.

Thanks mumsnet for letting me review this book. I was glad to receive it after a bit of a wait.
I enjoyed the book very much. It was incredibly well written. The scenes and characters were so well described. I haven't read any other books by the author, but would defiantely look out for her other novels. The main character Gustav had a difficult childhood and I found it very sad that really he never got any further in life. The book showed the balance of life, the ups and downs, all painted so graphically that you felt so much for the characters. Thanks again for the book.

Really lovely book. I got very attached to the characters. Recommend.

Sounds great. Definitely on my reading list!

The Gustav Sonata, composed with such feeling
Tender and charming, a score most appealing
A study of life, of loss and amour
Will touch all our hearts and sell copies galore

tbh I haven't read the book or heard of the author but I will definitely read it now after reading some of these reviews. sounds like a good plot for a film

I won this book from Goodreads and found it to be a real page turner.. A beatific story of love and friendship over a lifetime. It is set in the in war and post war Switzerland. The atmosphere of a small town in Switzerland from the 1940s to the 1990s is really well thought out (reminded me a little of the sound of music setting) . Gustav and his mother Emilie are really poor after his father's fall from grace and death and this a massive contrast with the oppulant homes of Gustav's friend Anton Zwiebel and of his father's former colleague and his wife. I found it sat that, he never manages to help his mother to love him but everyone else does. The book at the end quite rightly makes him to be a quiet hero. Well done x

i really enjoyed this book. proper summer reading