An elderly virtuoso pianist plays only in stations and other public places, capturing the sublime in Beethoven sonatas while reviewing his life. Tragically orphaned, placed in a joyless Catholic orphanage in the French Pyrenees, he and other rebellious boys form a resistance group concocting a dangerous all or nothing plan on means of escape. A compelling narrative and vividly drawn characters – from a bigoted, cunning abbé to a young boy clutching a soft toy. It had me waiting impatiently to know what happened next.
(Tony Pratt - bwl 111 Winter 2024 ) |
