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  • Location: Switzerland (fictional Matzlingen)

The Gustav Sonata

The Gustav Sonata

Why a Booktrail?

1947: The story of two lives lived – a sonata of the melody of life

  • ISBN: 978-1784740030
  • Genre: Fiction

What you need to know before your trail

Gustav and Anton are from opposite sides of the fence in life. They both live in the fictional town called Matzlingen

Gustav Perle has a hard life. He can no longer remember his father and has a mother who doesn’t seem to care. He lives a life of solitude.

Anton Zwiebel  on the other hand is the young son of a Jewish banker. He has a comfortable life but never seems to be at ease.  Both his parents love an support him, but this is not enough and he struggles with his confidence.

They meet at Kindergarden and soon become inseparable. Their stories combine and the result is a musical sonata of friendship and love.

Travel Guide

Matzlingen (fictional)

Gustav is content to remain in Matzlingen but Anton is not happy with how his life is turning out. He leaves Matzlingen and goes to the city to try and fulfil his dream as a concert pianist.

Gustav and Anton are both very different boys of two very different demeanours, Gustav takes new boy Anton under his wing on his first day at school and they form a good friendship. Anton is rather fragile so Gustav acts as the strength for them both. Gustav has a hard shell, his mother is depressed and so Gustav escapes his world to Gustav’s family. Meanwhile his father is helping Jewish people to escape their torment and the horrors of war  – as  a policeman in pre WW2 Switzerland, the country is neutral but naturally people are taking sides in secret and helping refugees. 

This is Switzerland – strict, cold neutral Switzerland finding its place in an increasingly chaotic world. Order is held here if nowhere else. But happiness is not assured.

The Sonata

Music is a great part of the novel and a lyrical part of both the story and the history. Music as well as location transports you to the landscape – the whispy sounds of the rural areas, the swish crescendo of the mountains and the soft calming music of the water.  The tempo of the novel is almost like a symphony played by an orchestra.

 

Booktrail Boarding Pass Information:  The Gustav Sonata

Author/Guide: Rose Tremain  Destination: Switzerland  Departure Time: 1947

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