“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.