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debsd's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
howtobebooks's review
5.0
Such a mix of emotions listening to this beautiful tragic love story of the effects of circumstances on people be it poverty or social acceptance.
Gustav's character is admirable and delicate, trying to make the best of situations for others despite having so little himself. Absolutely worth an award of some kind.
Gustav's character is admirable and delicate, trying to make the best of situations for others despite having so little himself. Absolutely worth an award of some kind.
curlywizz's review
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisamshardlow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, this was very frustrating, wasn’t it? A lot of wasted time by the two main characters - Gustav and Anton. I enjoyed the parts of the book which were set in their childhood days the most. I think the author captured the characteristics of children very well, and I think with the horrors of war still quite recent, children probably would have played such morbid games as Gustav and Anton did. All of the characters seemed to have very complex relationships with each other, which was a little bit weird at times (Gustav and Lottie). There were some quite creepy characters in there, too! Overall, I enjoyed the story and wanted to know what was going to happen next.
andrea59's review
4.0
I'm really angry with the characters of this book. That's the word, angry. I finished it with a mix of sadness and rage, calling both of them stupid.
And, despite my anger, I can undestand why this book is important. I can understand that, even though they wew stupid, it isn't too late. That idea is somehow hopeful, but it still angers me.
I believe this story to be important in order to learn that cowardice can destroy your life more than bravery ever could. I also think that, despite this harsh lesson, this book manages to give you hope (regardless of my anger), because you may have second options, and you may be happy after all.
What pains me the most is to think of all the years of half-truths and the fact that the author decided not to show more tender moments between the two of them.
What I do appreciete is the sincerity of this book. It doesn't hide anything that people may considerate inappropriate and it also shows the things that most authors prefer to omit (that doesn't have to be a bad thing, I'm just saying that is strange for a book to show them).
All in all, I don't regret reading this, and yet it was and it was not what I was expecting from it.
Oh, I also have to say that I didn't expect the explanation for the name of the novel. Such a beautiful and meaningful one.
And, despite my anger, I can undestand why this book is important. I can understand that, even though they wew stupid, it isn't too late. That idea is somehow hopeful, but it still angers me.
Spoiler
This, above all things, is about about the sorrow of "losing your time". About how stupid and painful is to be unhappy just because you are too afraid. About what you may lose if you never get to be brave enough. It angers me because they could have been so hapoy together, for so many years, and yet their fear made them keep each other apart. I was so angry with the end because I understood that Anton loved Gustav with all his heart, and yet he hurt him and he behaved in a neglectful manner.I believe this story to be important in order to learn that cowardice can destroy your life more than bravery ever could. I also think that, despite this harsh lesson, this book manages to give you hope (regardless of my anger), because you may have second options, and you may be happy after all.
What pains me the most is to think of all the years of half-truths and the fact that the author decided not to show more tender moments between the two of them.
What I do appreciete is the sincerity of this book. It doesn't hide anything that people may considerate inappropriate and it also shows the things that most authors prefer to omit (that doesn't have to be a bad thing, I'm just saying that is strange for a book to show them).
All in all, I don't regret reading this, and yet it was and it was not what I was expecting from it.
Oh, I also have to say that I didn't expect the explanation for the name of the novel. Such a beautiful and meaningful one.
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
There are wonderful things in this novel, and like most of Rose Tremain's work, there's always a spiky underside to everything she writes. When it opens, the friendship between Gustav and Anton seems simple and sweet, but the story quickly takes on extra layers to include the story of Gustav's parents, of the Swiss during WW2, of saving desperate Jews or not, of ignoring the terrible whole thing lurking at the border.
The relationship between the Gustav and Anton morphs and changes, as does Gustav's with Anton's mother and Gustav's father's lover. Love or friendship? The right way or self-preservation? "The Gustav Sonata" is a good novel for discussion, and not an easy one to leave behind.
There are wonderful things in this novel, and like most of Rose Tremain's work, there's always a spiky underside to everything she writes. When it opens, the friendship between Gustav and Anton seems simple and sweet, but the story quickly takes on extra layers to include the story of Gustav's parents, of the Swiss during WW2, of saving desperate Jews or not, of ignoring the terrible whole thing lurking at the border.
The relationship between the Gustav and Anton morphs and changes, as does Gustav's with Anton's mother and Gustav's father's lover. Love or friendship? The right way or self-preservation? "The Gustav Sonata" is a good novel for discussion, and not an easy one to leave behind.
karinlib's review
3.0
It took me a while to finish this book. I like the premise of the book: Switzerland's involvement/response in WWII. I wished that it had been a book about that time period only, because I couldn't connect with the characters. Having said that, the book is well written and I understand the praise that it is getting.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
While this is another WWII novel, it takes a different approach. Tremain uses the background of Swiss neutrality to tell the story of Gustav, a young Swiss boy whose policeman father has died, and his friend Anton, a wealthy Jewish piano prodigy whose family left Germany while they still could. Gustav's mother teaches him to 'master himself' in all things. Anton is creative and a bit of a tortured soul. Not until they are in their 60s do they allow themselves to become who they are each meant to be.
kingarooski's review against another edition
2.0
I like Rose Tremain, but this one was rather on the dull side.