The Gustav Sonata

I've no idea what connection British author Rose Tremain may have with Switzerland, or why she chose it as a setting for her novel, but from my foreigner's point of view I think she did a good job at capturing some of the character of the Swiss, their strength and their vulnerability, and the conflicting realities behind the surface image that they like to present.

A pleasant, but not very impressionable read to have on a long winter evening with tea and a blanket. Nothing too unique or genius, just a simple story, elements of which I surely saw many times in different books. But I can't really say anything bad or particularly good about this one. Enjoyed it, just not too much for it to be memorable.

Very readable. Sweet and sad with a soft, human heart. Tremain is an excellent storyteller and her dialogue and descriptions are crisp. I enjoyed this heartbreaking tale of self control and loneliness.