- Is it autobiographical?
Not directly. The author is too young to have lived through World War Two, but he was brought up by three elder sisters who survived the Blitz.
- Is Dovidl a real character?
No, he’s wholy invented.
- Was there ever a violinist who disappeared on the day of his debut?
Yes, but his is a very different story.
- Are there real people in the novel?
Yes: the violinists Fritz Kreisler, Albert Sammons, Joseph Hasid and Ida Haendel.
- Was there a real Song of Names?
No, it’s an invention.
- Is the book going to be made into a film?
It’s under discussion.

The song of names; Winner of the 2002 Whitbread First Novel Award
buy on madaboutbooks.com