What a beautifully tragic tale. Anything set in World War Two always tugs at my heart strings, it's such a stain on our history as a human race.

Alma is a prominent Vienna violinist, arrested and brought to Auschwitz. It turns out to be the very thing that saves her from the true horrors within the concentration camp. It is here that she ends up as an inmate with "privileges", extra rations, proper clothing, a bed and showers. She quickly learns that her prominent status as a musician gives her a certain amount of pull with the SS high command. Alma uses this influence to save a large group of women, forming an orchestra within the camp, able to perform for the SS. Based around a true story, Alma is another prime example of the true heroes of World War Two. With her influence, she manages to save countless people from the gas chambers, and they come away from the camps with their lives and life-long respect for Alma Rosé.

Of course, this book gave me all the feels. I have so much respect for Alma Rosé and her impact on the countless people she touched during her time in Auschwitz. While all I can do is read about this blight on our history, I can't imagine being as strong as some of the people within history that I read about. Alma is one of those people, and I honestly am so glad to have learned about her.

4.5

Hard to believe I had never heard of this incredible woman before. This was obviously meticulously researched and well written. (None of it read like a textbook, it was very engaging from start to finish).

I would definitely read more by this author.

I absolutely adored this novel! It was so incredibly moving I had tears welling up and my heart was racing. I did not want to put it down.
The violinist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Alma, who found herself in Birkenau, Auschwitz. Alma is a famous violinist who gets permission from the SS to create a women's orchestra. Along the way she meets both heroic and terrifying people.
My absolute favourite part of this novel was the heroism shown by so many of the characters, especially Alma, and the relationships they have with one another. Alma fights for what she believes is right, even if it puts her safety at risk. Some of her actions are so deeply moving and heroic that I had to put the book down to take a deep breath. Midwood managed to create such wonderful scenery I felt like I was actually there, I could practically hear the orchestra in the room with me. The characterisation was phenomenal, managing to mix good and bad within the same person, showing the complexity of the situation.
I loved the section on the true historic information that influenced the novel. It brought Alma and the other characters to life even more. Novels such as this one are so important, they highlight to the world how we can never let something like Auschwitz happen again.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in emotive true stories, historical novels or Auschwitz.
I want to send a big thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of reading and experiencing a novel like this. I will be buying a copy for my bookshelf that I can keep forever!

I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII but none have the horrors of the Nazi death camps in Auschwitz. It was a slow and heartbreaking experience but also a tragically beautiful one. 

There were moments while reading this unbelievable story that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it because it was shattering me one chapter at a time.

This is based on true historical facts and I did not know the story of Alma Rose, the revered Viennese violinist imprisoned in Auschwitz and now that I do I will never forget her.

The writing is extraordinarily detailed and intentional with every part having a special role. I couldn't have picked a more poignant book that has been on my tbr since last year and I'm glad I read it.

“The Violinist of Auschwitz” is an incredible book!

I went into reading Ellie Midwood’s latest historical fiction novel with zero expectations. And zero knowledge of the true story of Alma Rosé, the famous violinist who saved more than 40 women from extermination by putting together an orchestra while in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

With every chapter, I learned more about Alma’s bravery, confidence and sass as she created the “Music Block,” and helped keep her “girls” alive. Despite working for racist murderers, Alma had to “show deference and keep decorum” if she wanted her orchestra to survive. And if she, herself, wanted to live.

Thanks to her working the system, and being favored by the SS guards, Alma was able to secure new instruments, beautiful clothes, double rations, Red Cross parcels, naptimes after lunch, a stove to keep warm, a shower every day and laundry once a week.

“All this time, she believed that she was saving them, but perhaps it was them who were saving her life. Her girls.”

Toward the end of the book, one of Alma’s closet friends, Zippy, told the orchestra: “We’ll all come out of here alive, and when we walk through those gates, I want you all to remember the name of the woman who made it possible, for as long as you live. I want you to remember her name and I want you to tell your children and grandchildren that it’s Alma Rosé, the Birkenau orchestra conductor, whom they owe their lives to as well.

This book is not only captivating, but quite emotional and sobering—as one might expect. I highly recommend it for fans of “Cilka’s Journey,” “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” “The Choice” and “The Gift.”

Special thanks for an advanced reader copy, compliments of Bookouture (via NetGalley), in exchange for my review.