'A hugely impressive first novel about music, friendship and obsession' David Nicholls

Jan - a virtuoso pianist - is about to go on stage to perform his solo. But, once again, the music he hears in his head is not what he is supposed to be playing, and it threatens to sabotage his performance.

As he struggles with this hidden anguish, he remembers his intense high school friendship with magnetic, eccentric Dirk. It began like a game, with Dirk playfully stealing Jan's first girlfriend. And it continued like a game - a friendship with an undertone of intimacy and danger. When they reunite as adults, Jan is forced to question everything.