"The Piano Tuner is an admirable debut novel rich with technical detail and a sense of place, but its heavy romanticism and implausible premise strike a sour note... For writers of fiction who find their inspiration in "exotic" climes, the crucial question presents itself immediately: Who are my characters in this delicious landscape, and what are they doing here? In The Piano Tuner, first-time novelist Daniel Mason takes an inspired leap into 19th century Burma by sending Edgar Drake, English piano tuner, into the jungles of Shan State to help Dr Anthony Carroll repair a damaged Erard Grand piano. The doctor is making peace treaties with the Shan princes through his compelling diplomatic use of Western music and poetry. Does this sound far-fetched? Well, it is..."