Rose Tremain - Zene and csend

From the author of the Gustav sonata

In 1629, a young English lutenist, Peter Claire, arrives at the Danish royal court to join the king, IV. For his Christian band. You will soon experience that extremes rule in this place: the musicians have to play in the freezing basement below the royal suite.

Thanks to his beautiful face, he becomes the king's "angel". He falls in love with Kirsten, one of the courtesans of the king's unfaithful and deceitful wife. He experiences an interesting internal conflict: he worries about the well-being of his soul, while he is also driven by love.

The beautiful story of Rose Tremain is built on duality: light and shadow, tenderness and violence, music and silence intertwine in it. The romantic novel by the author of the Gustav sonata is a real magic: it simultaneously evokes the salty air of Denmark and brings to life its heroes of almost four hundred years ago in an alchemical way.

Whitbread Prize: Novel of the Year (1990)

"A perfectly tailored story... Brilliant writing, which the reader savors again and again with pleasure." - The Times