The Gustav Sonata

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.