Place. People. Coming of age in World War II Switzerland, this novel moves seamlessly between the war, the characters' past, and present-day.

Simple but engaging style; interesting story. A rare, for me at least, view of a small town in wartime Switzerland. I found the natural presentation of not unusual but still interesting characters fascinating.

A very beautiful book that has stayed with me months later.

Had to check the inside flap to make sure I was not reading a young adult's book. Thin plot and characters. Too simplistic. Did not finish and would not recommend.

Like a sonata, this novel about the complexities of friendship moves backward and forward in time. Subtle. Tremain writes with a soft sensibility.

The story line of Gustav and his friend Anton spans time. We experience how relationships are effected by Hitler's Germany on those who took refuge in Switzerland and the police officer that protected them. The author takes us into the families of the main characters and the relationships that interconnect one another - most of all Gustav and Anton and their struggles with identity.