I've procrastinated on writing this review because I'm not even sure where to start or how to adequately put my feelings into words.

I guess TL; DR: This book is difficult to read at times due to the subject matter; however, it isn't the main focus of the story. If you can handle the more gruesome parts of the story, you'll be gifted with one of the most beautiful books written recently. You'll also come away more knowledgeable about an important part of history.

I feel like this review is going to get long and rambling, but this book hit me in a way that hasn't happened in a really long time.

Plot: This follows the (true!) story of Alma Rosé, a famous violinist who was sent to Birkenau-Auschwitz and took over the women's orchestra. She became one of the best-treated and most-respected prisoners to ever reside in a concentration camp and used her status to elevate the lives of all of the girls under her care. This is the story of how she came to Auschwitz, took over the orchestra, transformed it into a true musical phenomenon, and even fell in love. ***Spoiler*** If you know her story then you know it doesn't end happily, as she dies the year before Auschwitz was liberated.

Background: So from what I've gathered, this book stays very close to the true and documented stories of Alma. The only aspect that is more fictional is regarding her love interest, though even that may not be all fiction. ***Spoilers ahead*** In the book she falls for a man who is staying in the Family Camp, a privileged camp that was under Red Cross protection. Near the end of the book, the entire Camp is killed. After his death, she becomes suicidal and eventually commits suicide. So while the love story may be fictionalized, it is documented that she became suicidal after the extermination of the Family Camp. Her death is also somewhat argued, as it isn't known for sure whether it was suicide or not. The author has used the suicide plot in the book and I think it fits well with the story and character.

Characters: These are some of the most well-rounded characters I've had the pleasure of reading. All of the side characters were well fleshed-out and I truly felt I knew all of them. A rare book where the characters jump off the page. Even the side-side characters were more alive than some main characters I've read - such as Drexler *shudder* who was terrifyingly menacing with minimal mention. What's more interesting (horrifying?) is that almost all of the characters were real people, and the author has tried to stay true to their documented actions and personalities. But Alma - it's like you become her when reading this, it's so well written. Her thoughts, struggles, all of the planning and devising that she did is presented in such a way that I was holding my breath in fear and laughing out loud at her audacity. Her struggle with needing to command respect from the SS in order to protect her orchestra girls but also being disgusted with the fact that the SS respected her so highly was just... heart-wrenching.

Setting: I mentioned in the TL;DR that the subject matter can be difficult but isn't the main focus. Let me explain more fully - This is the story of Alma, and her thoughts and actions are the focus, not Auschwitz. Having said that, she IS a prisoner in a concentration camp, and it is reflected in the story. Some parts of this book had me silently crying in horror and wishing it was truly a work of fiction. There were days I had to put the book down and couldn't continue because I was so broken-hearted. I feel that it is so important to read books like this for those very reasons.

Storytelling: The author manages to keep a critical balance with this book. She describes gruesome aspects of life in the concentration camp, but in a way that feels respectful and observational rather than for the sake of being gruesome, if that makes sense. It would be easy to use the setting for shock factor and include gratuitous violence but she instead describes it as Alma sees it. It at times blends into the background in a strange way, until something happens to remind you that this isn't a fun cultural night but a concentration camp and you could be murdered at any moment. It's very natural, and I'm impressed with the author's ability to walk that line.

Thoughts: This book will stay with me, and I'm very thankful to the author for bringing Alma's story to life. I tend to shy away from books with difficult subject matter, but I'm so glad I didn't with this one. I think one reason the author has done such a fantastic job in writing this story is because her respect and love of the subject matter are evident - not only in the story itself, but in the background and research information she included afterward. ***Spoiler*** My one (small) gripe is that I'm not sure why Miklos dies. I guess it's to give a reason for Alma's suicide (which fits with the story of her depression after the Family Camp extermination mentioned above), but it still seemed pointless. He was so happy helping the resistance and then he just...decided to die? For what purpose? He didn't seem to be suicidal, quite the opposite. If he'd spoken up they wouldn't have sent him to die with the rest of the Camp. Maybe it's just my broken heart, but I don't see the point.

I feel like I could write a million more things about this book, but I'll stop here. I want to say thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for lending me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

I've procrastinated on writing this review because I'm not even sure where to start or how to adequately put my feelings into words.

I guess TL; DR: This book is difficult to read at times due to the subject matter; however, it isn't the main focus of the story. If you can handle the more gruesome parts of the story, you'll be gifted with one of the most beautiful books written recently. You'll also come away more knowledgeable about an important part of history.

I feel like this review is going to get long and rambling, but this book hit me in a way that hasn't happened in a really long time.

Plot: This follows the (true!) story of Alma Rosé, a famous violinist who was sent to Birkenau-Auschwitz and took over the women's orchestra. She became one of the best-treated and most-respected prisoners to ever reside in a concentration camp and used her status to elevate the lives of all of the girls under her care. This is the story of how she came to Auschwitz, took over the orchestra, transformed it into a true musical phenomenon, and even fell in love. ***Spoiler*** If you know her story then you know it doesn't end happily, as she dies the year before Auschwitz was liberated.

Background: So from what I've gathered, this book stays very close to the true and documented stories of Alma. The only aspect that is more fictional is regarding her love interest, though even that may not be all fiction. ***Spoilers ahead*** In the book she falls for a man who is staying in the Family Camp, a privileged camp that was under Red Cross protection. Near the end of the book, the entire Camp is killed. After his death, she becomes suicidal and eventually commits suicide. So while the love story may be fictionalized, it is documented that she became suicidal after the extermination of the Family Camp. Her death is also somewhat argued, as it isn't known for sure whether it was suicide or not. The author has used the suicide plot in the book and I think it fits well with the story and character.

Characters: These are some of the most well-rounded characters I've had the pleasure of reading. All of the side characters were well fleshed-out and I truly felt I knew all of them. A rare book where the characters jump off the page. Even the side-side characters were more alive than some main characters I've read - such as Drexler *shudder* who was terrifyingly menacing with minimal mention. What's more interesting (horrifying?) is that almost all of the characters were real people, and the author has tried to stay true to their documented actions and personalities. But Alma - it's like you become her when reading this, it's so well written. Her thoughts, struggles, all of the planning and devising that she did is presented in such a way that I was holding my breath in fear and laughing out loud at her audacity. Her struggle with needing to command respect from the SS in order to protect her orchestra girls but also being disgusted with the fact that the SS respected her so highly was just... heart-wrenching.

Setting: I mentioned in the TL;DR that the subject matter can be difficult but isn't the main focus. Let me explain more fully - This is the story of Alma, and her thoughts and actions are the focus, not Auschwitz. Having said that, she IS a prisoner in a concentration camp, and it is reflected in the story. Some parts of this book had me silently crying in horror and wishing it was truly a work of fiction. There were days I had to put the book down and couldn't continue because I was so broken-hearted. I feel that it is so important to read books like this for those very reasons.

Storytelling: The author manages to keep a critical balance with this book. She describes gruesome aspects of life in the concentration camp, but in a way that feels respectful and observational rather than for the sake of being gruesome, if that makes sense. It would be easy to use the setting for shock factor and include gratuitous violence but she instead describes it as Alma sees it. It at times blends into the background in a strange way, until something happens to remind you that this isn't a fun cultural night but a concentration camp and you could be murdered at any moment. It's very natural, and I'm impressed with the author's ability to walk that line.

Thoughts: This book will stay with me, and I'm very thankful to the author for bringing Alma's story to life. I tend to shy away from books with difficult subject matter, but I'm so glad I didn't with this one. I think one reason the author has done such a fantastic job in writing this story is because her respect and love of the subject matter are evident - not only in the story itself, but in the background and research information she included afterward. ***Spoiler*** My one (small) gripe is that I'm not sure why Miklos dies. I guess it's to give a reason for Alma's suicide (which fits with the story of her depression after the Family Camp extermination mentioned above), but it still seemed pointless. He was so happy helping the resistance and then he just...decided to die? For what purpose? He didn't seem to be suicidal, quite the opposite. If he'd spoken up they wouldn't have sent him to die with the rest of the Camp. Maybe it's just my broken heart, but I don't see the point.

I feel like I could write a million more things about this book, but I'll stop here. I want to say thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for lending me an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions are my own and this did not affect my review in any way.

“And the right thing was always worthy of risking one´s life for”

I requested this book from Netgalley because historical fiction books set in the context of World War II intrigue me and when I saw this was inspired by a real event made it much more appealing.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is set in Auschwitz 1943 and we follow Alma Rosé who brings to life one of history’s most fearless, inspiring and courageous heroines. Alma’s bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning.

This is one of my new favorite historical fiction books of all time. Historical fiction book such as this one are hard to read, you have to push yourself to read in spite of all the horrors, the violence, the inhumane actions but we have to do this in order to learn, we have to read all of these stories so we don’t forget.

This book hit me and it hit me hard as it is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Alma Rosé´s story is raw and impactful. The author does a great job portraying what the living situations of Alma in Auschwitz were based on true testimonies. While reading you are able to fully picture what the life for those women was like and you are able to hurt, feel and connect with the characters.

By the end of this book I couldn’t stop crying, it is hard to imagine having to go through what these women went through. The story of Alma, even though it had some minor alterations for reading purposes was inspiring, it was heartfelt and emotional to see someone try to make the best out of a horrible situation and try to help as many people as she could.

Alma Rosé´s story is one everyone should read and I recommend everyone to pick this book up, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Ellie Midwood for telling Alma´s story in such a beautiful way, I will definitely keep an eye out for anything this author publishes in the future

Thanks so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me read and review this book.

“For hatred never substituted talent or skill or intellect”

3.5 stars. I didn't connect to the characters as much as I thought I would.

Decidí abandonarlo porque no lo estaba disfrutando, por eso no lo califico.

The Violinist of Auschwitz: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW, I’m just at a loss for words. This true story was so beautifully written that I had to tab a lot of my favorite quotes. This was a story about music and how it connects us all. This was a story about hope, survival, and finding the inhuman will and courage to keep fighting. And finally this was a love story…a beautiful, tender, sad love story. I haven’t played my violin in years due to work and school, but this book gave me the spark I needed to pick it up again

Loved it. I'd never heard of Alma Rosé until now and I love her. Her bravery, intelligence, and talent saved so many lives and her story deserves to be told. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the fictional love story. She didn't need a love interest. She was interesting enough on her own and the love story just didn't feel right to me.

Incredible. Based on the true story of violinist Alma Rose and her time at Auschwitz, this novel was very well written. There will be times you are brought to tears and parts that are very difficult to read. However, there are also times you will cheer for characters and their bravery and goodwill and even acts of resistance in a time and place filled with dreadful things. Alma comes to Auschwitz and soon learns the horror that lives there. She uses her intelligence as charm and talent to help herself as well as others survive. Brought into Birkenau women’s camp to work as a violinist in the Music Block that was formed, she’s asked to make an orchestra out of the woman currently there. Woman, who unlike herself, are not professional musicians. What she does during her time there gives quite a few woman extra privileges as well as a chance to survive. An incredible story and a very well written novel. I appreciated reading the section at the end which explained what was true in the book and what was dramatized. Well done and I look forward to reading more from this author!

It’s without a doubt that Ellie Midwood’s, The Violinist of Auschwitz, to be published on November 18, 2020, will stay in my memory for a very long time. Midwood has truly honoured Rosé and her valiant musicians with this extremely well written true story of how music gave a handful of prisoners a means of escape within the barbed-wire confines of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Caught with a fake passport, Alma Rosé, a Viennese Jewish concert violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic, is sent to the infamous Nazi death camp in the summer of 1943. Recognized by a high-ranking Nazi, Rosé is soon treated differently than the other prisoners. She’s moved from an experimental block to the woman’s camp and appointed as conductor of an orchestra who will play on request of the officers. Ultimately offered a chance at a life-saving performance, not only for herself but also for the other musicians, Rosé desperately scrambles to assemble and teach other prisoners in order to please the officers. Stoic and armed with the power of position, Rosé manages to obtain rewards, comforts of a former life, for herself and the musicians as they play to breathe another day.

Midwood's research is reflected in her storyline and readers will learn more about the camp than previous historical fiction writers on the same topic. Her ability to evoke terror, tears, and compassion through her words is amazing as is her ability to shed light on the plight of these real individuals.

This book reminded me of the afternoon, I wasn’t even 10 years old, when I saw the blue number tattoo on my Hungarian neighbour’s left arm. Long gone, I’ve never forgotten him nor his parallel account of playing chess for his freedom. I wonder if he ever met Alma Rose. I’d like to think so.

Like Anne Frank, Rosé reminds readers that we each have potential heroism within us and it can be summoned by even the vilest human beings. Let's remember that.

Thank you to Ellie Midwood, Bookouture and Netgalley for this fantastic advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Merged review:

It’s without a doubt that Ellie Midwood’s, The Violinist of Auschwitz, to be published on November 18, 2020, will stay in my memory for a very long time. Midwood has truly honoured Rosé and her valiant musicians with this extremely well written true story of how music gave a handful of prisoners a means of escape within the barbed-wire confines of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Caught with a fake passport, Alma Rosé, a Viennese Jewish concert violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic, is sent to the infamous Nazi death camp in the summer of 1943. Recognized by a high-ranking Nazi, Rosé is soon treated differently than the other prisoners. She’s moved from an experimental block to the woman’s camp and appointed as conductor of an orchestra who will play on request of the officers. Ultimately offered a chance at a life-saving performance, not only for herself but also for the other musicians, Rosé desperately scrambles to assemble and teach other prisoners in order to please the officers. Stoic and armed with the power of position, Rosé manages to obtain rewards, comforts of a former life, for herself and the musicians as they play to breathe another day.

Midwood's research is reflected in her storyline and readers will learn more about the camp than previous historical fiction writers on the same topic. Her ability to evoke terror, tears, and compassion through her words is amazing as is her ability to shed light on the plight of these real individuals.

This book reminded me of the afternoon, I wasn’t even 10 years old, when I saw the blue number tattoo on my Hungarian neighbour’s left arm. Long gone, I’ve never forgotten him nor his parallel account of playing chess for his freedom. I wonder if he ever met Alma Rose. I’d like to think so.

Like Anne Frank, Rosé reminds readers that we each have potential heroism within us and it can be summoned by even the vilest human beings. Let's remember that.

Thank you to Ellie Midwood, Bookouture and Netgalley for this fantastic advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

During the dark days of World War II and the ugliness of Auschwitz, there is a beacon of hope and light that comes from the strings of a violin. Alma Rosé quickly learns that she can stave off the hideousness of the gas chamber due to her musical skills. She is losing people left and right and does not know when her number will be up - literally. She makes a request, albeit seemingly odd, and that is for a violin. Talented beyond belief, getting her hands on a violin brings her an amazing opportunity.

Not only does she get to keep playing, Alma stays alive, and so do others that she trains to play in the small orchestra that was formed. She plays for both prisoners and the enemy and learns tricks along the way to thrive during the darkest of times. Reluctant at first, Alma quickly learns that her exceptional skills hold great advantage. Not only can she stay alive, but she can keep others alive as well, even getting extra food and other necessary things to survive.

I learned something while reading The Violinist of Auschwitz. I had read in other novels about the subtle differences in the different camps, and how certain skills gave the otherwise hopeless prisoners something akin to hope. In this case it was music. However, music was not the only thing that brought more to Alma's life. She meets a pianist named Miklos, and they proved to be kindred spirits. I fondly remember the gentle words that Miklos uttered to Alma and truly enjoyed their gentle love story.

This book brought intense feelings of sadness, as is always the case when reading of this time in history. However, those feelings of sadness were well matched with the lightness that I have mentioned. That light brought beauty. Brought hope. Brought love. What a story! Even while writing this review weeks after reading this book I have a lump in my throat. This is the fourth book that I have read by Ellie Midwood and I was truly touched by reading this, just as I was with the other three books I have read by her. She writes of the darkest of times, but brings a beacon of hope in her stories.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.