" Why, Monsieur Ravel, what a curious thing to say. This landscape will never change. Never. It is permanent. Timeless. No amount of war, or famine, or bloodshed could ever do away with it. It will survive all that. Just like my brother's music." She smiled and added politely but with absolute sincerity: "And you own." This is a story of a friendship, an admiration and an emotional connection between two of the twentieth century's greatest composers; one French -Maurice Ravel and the other English- Ralph Vaughan Williams ( RVW). Early in the 1990s , a relatively new composer -RVW- is searching for a teacher ; a person to motivate and inspire him and support him in his desire for the wider recognition of traditional folk songs. It is through Ravel's close friend Pierre Vicente Mylonas ( Mylo) that the contact is made and the Englishman makes his way to Paris to meet the somewhat curiously eccentric figure of Ravel- a man who is becoming revered for his virtuosity and talent as a composer. but emotionally is often adrift within himself. Two different characters and two very different cultural backgrounds but something special happens. Told from the voice of Mylo, the bond between the two composers is explored with affection, humour and respect for the talents of both men. Set against a changing world, the story explores a friendship that at first glance should not have worked but through mutual respect and a deep love of musical composition an alliance is formed that continued for many years. It is the narrator's voice that truly makes this novel special - battling with his own inner insecurities and direction, Mylo follows the lives of both men ; their successes and challenges and especially during the period of WWI when both men became actively involved. Jonathan Coe is a superb writer and this a welcome addition to his catalogue of brilliant reads. The power of friendship and the passion of artists to create is palpable. This is an homage to the talent of musical composition and in many senses an exploration as to what may give music its own national identity but without being in any sense nationalistic - RVW's desire to create music for all and draw energy and understanding from the most humble locations that are fundamental to life- the rural community. It is also a story about sacrifices made in the name of creating and achieving "eternal" artistic beauty. Lessons in Harmony is truly moving and engaging novel - a top novel of Winter of 2026 Reading this novel has resulted in both composers being further explored, listened to and appreciated in a different light. Thank you to Viking Publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy for an honest review.