This novel would have been the winner if I'd been judging the 2016 Costa Novel Award.. See my linked review.

This book is written in 3 parts , as are Beethoven's sonatas , referred to through the story. The theme centres round friendship. Gustav and Anton are the central characters who meet in Switzerland during the Second World War, as boys at school and remain friends throughout. It follows their friendship through ups and downs. The ebbs and flows of friendship across their lives. It explores the nature of friendships, One friend stronger and the supporter.
The boys come from different backgrounds. Gustav from a single parent family with a mother whom he can never please. Anton from a strong Jewish family who had made it to Switzerland in wartime. There is also the question mark over The demise of Gustav's father and the part he played in helping Jews Access Switzerland to escape Germany. Who betrayed him and how did he die. A later quest or Gustav. The main characters livesinterweave throughout he story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to my book group as a read for 2017